The best way to deal with RUST

[Swatrecon_]

What's the best way to go when dealing with rust, both prevention and treatment? I've got some rust spots on my hood, under/behind the doors and in the bed of my truck. Is that something I can do myself, or should I just take it to a body shop?

[Low88]

replace it IMO. I have replaced every panel on my truck and put new rockers and corners on...

[painthuffer]

DEpends on how far it's eaten it's way through the metal.If you caught it before the cancer stage you can grind the area clean and cover in POR 15 to seal it for the future.If it's cancerous(there's holes,or the metal has become weak t othe point you can put a hole in it with little effort)then I would highly suggest replacing the section.

[Joe]

Cut and replace.

[S/C Z71]

Cut it out.

[94383Z71]

Originally Posted by painthuffer

DEpends on how far it's eaten it's way through the metal.If you caught it before the cancer stage you can grind the area clean and cover in POR 15 to seal it for the future.If it's cancerous(there's holes,or the metal has become weak t othe point you can put a hole in it with little effort)then I would highly suggest replacing the section.

I agree, you need to evaluate how bad it is. Rust can not occur without oxygen. If you catch it soon enough, prep it right, then it can be slowed down with POR-15, or Chassis saver.

[Swatrecon_]

Most of it is already to the "cancerous" point where it's weakened and easy to put a hole in. This was my dad's truck before it was mine, and when it started rusting, he noticed it and didn't really have the time to do anything about it.

When you say cut it out, what do you mean? And if wanted to replace parts of the body, how would I do that?

[painthuffer]

You're going to have to grind back the paint around the rust until you find healthy metal.Then you're going to have to use a cut off wheel and cut the rusted area out and replace it with some fresh sheetmetal.While installing the new metal take the time to seal it up good from the elements,because, the one good thing is that now you know where you're problem areas are.If you don't have the proper tools to perform such a fix then you might have to look into replacing the panels affected,or talk to your local bodyshop about getting it fixed.However, knowing bodyshops,they'll most likely replace the affected panels as well.

[Swatrecon_]

What is the cost ratio of doing it myself and having a shop do it?

[Chevy Cowboy 00]

well the hood you could just replace it and get a cowl hood, behind/under the doors sounds like your rocker panels which I heard are fairly cheap to do (mine need done too ) as far as in the bed Id try taking a wire wheel and getting rid of all the rust and either linex your bed or POR15 it

[Griff4x4]

if you dont know how to do it, or dont have the tools, i say take it to the body shop. because if you dont know how to do it, you will end up wanting to shoot yourself before you are done.. because if you start by yourself you gotta finish. clear to paint.. and that can be a long process if you dont know what your doing

[ksukats57]

Originally Posted by Griff4x4

if you dont know how to do it, or dont have the tools, i say take it to the body shop. because if you dont know how to do it, you will end up wanting to shoot yourself before you are done.. because if you start by yourself you gotta finish. clear to paint.. and that can be a long process if you dont know what your doing

and you gotta be good with a welder

[painthuffer]

Ya, if you in any way lack the tools or knowledge to attempt a repair like that then the cost effectiveness of the body shop would 10 fold.Always better to spend the money and know you're going to get a quality repair,then attempt something that might be over your head and end up spending more at a body shop to fix the rust and whatever problems you created by attempting it yourself.You have to self evaluate and make the best decision for you swatrecon.

[slickmainer]

i know zero about body work but I can find good deals on whole pieces thats easy to unbolt and bolt in the new/better used stuff. I figure if I can replace some panels with better used stuff that should hold me over till I save up enough for a good paint job and professional sanding/body work. I might have 12 different colored panels on my suburban by the time im done but they will all be solid.