Rust On Third Door...help

[spencer430]

Someone please help. I have a 98 silverado with a third door. The bottom of the third door has a hole about 1/2 inch tall and 6-8 inches long in it just above the door crease. What s the best way to fix this? Pick out the bad rust, sand the metal, fill with bondo, sand and then paint? I am also thinking of putting rhino lining on the rocker sills on both sides to help get more out of em. Is there anything that works better than the other? I would be greatful if anyone has information to offer. Thanks

[2000DV4.8]

DON'T just fill it with bondo, unless you want it to fall apart in a couple years. Bondo is meant to smooth out surfaces, not fill holes.

 

To do it right, you'd need to cut out all the bad metal, (which is likely a lot more than it looks like, it's like how you can only see just the tip of the iceberg, most of it is hidden) and weld in a patch panel.

 

I'd suggest taking it to a body shop and seeing what they say, it may be cheaper to replace the whole door.

[Zembonez]

In the old days, body men would grind out the rusted area and fill it in with lead. That was before my time but it was the best rust repair other than cutting out and patching the metal... which is the only real fix.