Rust Repair

[ChevroletShep]

I recently bought a 1997 Chevrolet K1500 and was wondering what to do with it. The problem is that there is a chunk missing out of the bottom of the door on the passenger side and rust starting on the cab corner. I think somebody already did a repair on it because it has a black strip down the side. I would like to do another repair and this time paint the stripe up to the bottom of the moulding. I know that automotive spray on paint would be best but I would like to keep it cheap. I was wondering what you would suggest. Thanks.

Heres the truck

[RageZro]

You could use black Duplicolor rattlecan paint for the stripe but it tends to chip easier than a good spray gun job with a quality paint due less hardners in the rattlecan stuff.

 

Be sure to use a scotch pad to rough the surface so the paint will stick and wipe it after scratching with some lacquer thinner on a rag. Use a tack cloth when dry then prime, paint and clear coat. Painting is in the preparation more than the application.

 

Look around at places like U Pull & Pay junkyards or Craigslist for a better door off of a part-out if you can afford it as the rust will come back on the door, you can count on it.

 

You can get a corner patch panel fairly cheap as this is a common problem on these trucks. If it's rusting through in the corners then you should check over all the wheels for rust as that usually is another spot once they start rusting through on the doors and corners.

[Graya25]

If there is a rust hole, your best option besides replacing the door is to first treat any existing rust on there and then bondo the hole. I had to do this on an old '89 Sentra I had. It worked, but it wasn't pretty.

 

As far as rust anywhere else, check out a product called Zero-Rust. It's similar to a POR-15, but costs less for a gallon. I'd say just get a gallon because you'll probably want to take care of parts of your frame as well depending where you live. I have a '97 and the whole undercarriage is pretty rusty, no holes or anything deep yet, but its better to treat the rust when it's minimal instead of waiting until something dissolves. Up here in Massachusetts, rust is very common, especially on older vehicles like mine, and can pretty much eat components unless treated.

[Willshire]

I just sold a 95 that i had just finished going buck wild on. Threw a lot of money down the shitter (5000 on a 350hp 355cid) I picked up an aftermarket dent special (dent was the size of my pinky nail) for 80 bucks in illinois. you have to take the guts out of the old door but 0 rust and epoxy primered. Fenders are cheap cab corners are cheap too but you need to cut the old ones out and weld new ones in. I rocker guarded up to the bottom of the door (but not on the door). A little bondo and some rocker guard and good for another couple of years.