Rust On Bottom Of Doors On 04 Sierra

[KyRob]

Found the rust on my doors the other day and found on here that I am not the only one. It's still under warranty til July and local dealer said to get a few quotes from local body shops as they do not have a body shop. The place they suggested wanted to put new doors on all around . Another wanted to take a wire brush to it and then repaint. The last wanted to unpeel the outer skin and sandblast, then add anti rust paint and then repaint. Prices ranged from 500 to several thousand for the repair. Local guy said GM wouldn't pay as it was to expensive and had me take it to the next city to a GM dealer that had a shop. They said they would sand it off and repaint and have it done in 2 days. Since that's the only option, I'm going to let them do it but would bet money the rust will return soon after the warranty runs out. Feel like I'm gettin the shaft on this one but they didn't give any other choices except to pay for it myself. Anyone else had their rusty doors repaired, and if so, how well did it turn out?

 

Thanks,

Rob

[rogerf]

Found the rust on my doors the other day and found on here that I am not the only one.....Anyone else had their rusty doors repaired, and if so, how well did it turn out?

From what you describe it sounds like rust in the lower seam (under the rubber seal at the bottom of the door) like I had on my '97 C1500. The 60-something year-old bodyman at my dealer said he could sand-blast & repaint the area which he said would probably outlive the truck but recommended just oiling the door seams with WD40 or motor oil (spray it into the drain holes) on an annual basis and applying a light layer of white grease under the rubber seal before winter. You will probably find the same condition if you check the lower seam on your tailgate, said to treat this the same way along with the rear fender lips.

 

I chose to just pass on paying to fix this (repaint) and just oil the seams because of the age of the truck. You definately want to get this fixed under warranty, let the fresh paint cure over the summer then keep it oiled.

[KyRob]

I read a post on here where the rubber strips are mentioned. My truck does not have any rubber strips at the bottom of the doors. That must be on the fancier models. I will definately load up the drain holes with WD or similar after it finished. My friend has an 05 dodge that has the rubber strip on it. I looked under it last week and it is showing rust already. Seems they could/would figure out a remedy for that particular area on these trucks.

 

Thanks,

Rob

[rogerf]

I read a post on here where the rubber strips are mentioned. My truck does not have any rubber strips at the bottom of the doors. That must be on the fancier models. I will definately load up the drain holes with WD or similar after it finished. My friend has an 05 dodge that has the rubber strip on it. I looked under it last week and it is showing rust already. Seems they could/would figure out a remedy for that particular area on these trucks.

 

Thanks,

Rob

Every late model GM truck I've looked at has a rubber flap that covers the lower door seam to keep the crud out of the joint. It shouldn't make any difference on trim level (mine was a W/T). Maybe they are just missing? Could be why you are having early problems.

 

I hope I'm wrong but think this will be a big issue on the NBS as the entire lower lip of the door is exposed to the road, no lower sill/rocker panel to stop the slush. All they have is a v-seal keeping the salt out of a one inch gap. I decided to go with stainless steel step boards in lue of nerf bars after driving in one snowstorm to provide some protection to the lower door lip. I will definately be out with my oil can before winter on this truck.

[jsbossert]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

[VMax2007]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

 

How about just washing your truck more often and an annual waxing won't hurt either. My 2000 I just sold to my brother had ZERO rust anywhere (and I live in MN). Wiping down the door jambs and inside the door bottoms after washing is important too. Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

[redvett]

My 04 has no rust and i live in the rust belt salt covered MI.

Wash it .

[svensk]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

 

How about just washing your truck more often and an annual waxing won't hurt either. My 2000 I just sold to my brother had ZERO rust anywhere (and I live in MN). Wiping down the door jambs and inside the door bottoms after washing is important too. Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

 

My truck actually touches icky stuff once in a while so it's next to impossible to keep 100% rust free . I have a little bit of surface rust on the bottom of the door. I just used a dremel and ground it out, then used some rust stopper and covered it with touch up paint last.

[s-ten]

My truck has it both under the doors and on the tailgate. I consider that pretty good though for a 9 year old Minnesota truck, it is really hard to keep the rust off. But if I had an '04 I would be pretty upset about it I think.

[jhm]

I would demand new doors. Too bad it is expensive. You bought a truck that probably already had rust from the factory. Those metal parts are all bare at some point. Exposure to moisture is all it takes. Wire brush and repaint? They got to be joking. Don't budge, get new doors.

[67ChevyRedneck]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

 

NO!!! That will trap moisture inside the door and cause it to rot even more quickly! Especially if the drain holes get covered over. Water DOES get inside the doors, that's what the drain holes are for.

[slemmer]

I noticed yesterday I had the same thing occurring - very small, but noticable bubbling 3" along the bottom edge by the seam on one passenger door on my 2005 CC. I've been oil spraying for the past two years; very surprised to see the bubbling though. I will point this out to my dealership on my upcoming oil change appointment to see what they say. I'm in Ontario, Canada where the salt is plenty.

[jsbossert]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

 

NO!!! That will trap moisture inside the door and cause it to rot even more quickly! Especially if the drain holes get covered over. Water DOES get inside the doors, that's what the drain holes are for.

 

 

No, Dont caulk the hole caulk the seam only!

[rogerf]

what about running silicone caulk along that seam? maybe that would keep moisture out!

 

NO!!! That will trap moisture inside the door and cause it to rot even more quickly! Especially if the drain holes get covered over. Water DOES get inside the doors, that's what the drain holes are for.

 

 

No, Dont caulk the hole caulk the seam only!

 

If rust has already started, it's too late to seal over it. He does make a good point, don't ever seal over the drain holes. My ex-boss had his '94 Ram treated by Ziebart and his doors (and the rest of the truck) rusted out really bad because the rustproofing plugged the drain holes.

[jsbossert]

I did mean before rust starts, I really think part of the problem is those crimps are not sealed, thats where I believe the silicone could help! I did it to my truck soon after I bought it, I keep the jams clean and waxe as much as I can. I will be trying the wd40 next to help even more.