Rust Repair Opinions

[JSharrmz]

Hey guys,

Really need some help deciding wether it a good idea or not to fix my 04 Mazda GX quarter panel rust. I've spent a decent amount of money on my car and I love it, my original plan was to fix the problems of the car and wait till I'm 25 when my insurance is lowered to get a new car so I'm wondering if you guys think I should spend the 2-3 gs to make the body mint again.

Thing is I have talked to my body shop manager at Chevy an he seems to think that any rust repair is not worth the money because once you have it, you have it and if I use the repair kit dog leg that Mazda provides us with it will create a seem along the quarter where it ha been welded which could rust in the future. I recently bought new 18 inch rx8 rims and don't want to ruin the rubber with the sharp rust so I was pretty convinced on my plan and that it would be a good idea but now I'm starting to get a little bit skeptical..

Please don't just say "sell the car while you can" I have 250 on the body and 120 on my engine and have no intent of selling it as I will pass it down to my siblings so please give me some positive feedback as I need some wisdom and knowledge on the situation,

Thanks boys/girls,
J Sharrmz 

[Manpreet]

I say keep the car and fix it, I'm in the same boat as you, but if the repairs are done correctly where the panel is cut it shouldn't rust if the proper repair/procedure is done

[JSharrmz]

I say keep the car and fix it, I'm in the same boat as you, but if the repairs are done correctly where the panel is cut it shouldn't rust if the proper repair/procedure is done

That's true, well are you doing it? If I find a shop to do it I could get a deal if you get yours done as well, I've met alot of body shop owners while working at Chevrolet so it could be a good deal for us.

I still wanna hear some other opinions of pros and cons especially if other members are either in the same boat as me and manpreet !

[Manpreet]

I work at a body shop so I would know most things but not all, but yes I'm doing quarter and door pillars this year and I only do repairs on my car since ive seebn my fair share on how some ppl work with customer vehicles

[JSharrmz]

I work at a body shop so I would know most things but not all, but yes I'm doing quarter and door pillars this year and I only do repairs on my car since ive seebn my fair share on how some ppl work with customer vehicles

What body shop do you work at?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I'd say don't repair it at that Chevy shop. He doesn't seem to think his repair would hold up. Try and find a place that will at least give you some confidence in the repair before dropping any cash. Preferably one where you can see their work.

I will say my car was last repaired 2 years ago and while the previous repairs did come back my current one is holding decent enough. Though I may get it redone after this year (OCD) but considering I have not paid for a repair (mazda warrenty work) I am happy with paying once for something quality if I do plan to keep the car for awhile.

[Booter22]

if it were me, and you plan to keep it for a while and the car is in good mechanical shape. i would fix it. rust will come back or get worse no matter what. just subject to the area we live in with all the salt. i would get it repaired and added like a rubber rocker gaurd to the inner fenders and then rust proof the whole car. slow it down from happening.

[Punkrockjohn]

keep the car jake

[brucewayne]

i have an 05 with slight slight bubbling between my rear quarter panel and bumper. also, 119k on mine. i wouldn't pay 1g let alone 2-3g. i dunno how bad yours is, but id rather put that money down on another car then just fix rust that might just come back. our cars aren't even worth 8 so why spend 25% or more of its value fixing rust. keep in your family/friend circle and ride it until the rusty wheels falls off.

[JSharrmz]

I'd say don't repair it at that Chevy shop. He doesn't seem to think his repair would hold up. Try and find a place that will at least give you some confidence in the repair before dropping any cash. Preferably one where you can see their work.

I will say my car was last repaired 2 years ago and while the previous repairs did come back my current one is holding decent enough. Though I may get it redone after this year (OCD) but considering I have not paid for a repair (mazda warrenty work) I am happy with paying once for something quality if I do plan to keep the car for awhile.

Yeah I definitely wouldn't get it done at my work they don't prioritize workers and they over charge for everything, just wondering if the amount it's going to cost is ultimately worth it although I love the car and I have plans for the visual aspect which depends on the fixation of the rust

[JSharrmz]

keep the car jake

I want to so much cash needing to be dumped lmao it'll look good after but ****

[JSharrmz]

i have an 05 with slight slight bubbling between my rear quarter panel and bumper. also, 119k on mine. i wouldn't pay 1g let alone 2-3g. i dunno how bad yours is, but id rather put that money down on another car then just fix rust that might just come back. our cars aren't even worth 8 so why spend 25% or more of its value fixing rust. keep in your family/friend circle and ride it until the rusty wheels falls off.

Well I can make 3 grand in less than 2 months so it'll be a set back of anything but at least the money I spent on rims tires and my car in general will be getting put to good use and keep me happy because I also have OCD and the visual aspect of my car is never complete lol unless I fix this.. I got the car for 3gs last year and my dad paid for it so it evens out in my mind i don't know lol

[JSharrmz]

if it were me, and you plan to keep it for a while and the car is in good mechanical shape. i would fix it. rust will come back or get worse no matter what. just subject to the area we live in with all the salt. i would get it repaired and added like a rubber rocker gaurd to the inner fenders and then rust proof the whole car. slow it down from happening.

Completely agree with you, it's just the others who don't that catch me off guard and man me think otherwise from time to time

[Dave_The_BMXER]

i have an 05 with slight slight bubbling between my rear quarter panel and bumper. also, 119k on mine. i wouldn't pay 1g let alone 2-3g. i dunno how bad yours is, but id rather put that money down on another car then just fix rust that might just come back. our cars aren't even worth 8 so why spend 25% or more of its value fixing rust. keep in your family/friend circle and ride it until the rusty wheels falls off.

Problem with a down payment is that it locks you in to more payments. If his cars paid off and he doesn't feel the itch then it's not necessarily a waste if 2-3k yields 2-3 or more years.

[JrCanuck]

I'll be doing the same with my Pillars and possibly my rear quarter on my 05. The money's worth it.

Just my two cents.

[JSharrmz]

I'll be doing the same with my Pillars and possibly my rear quarter on my 05. The money's worth it.

Just my two cents.

Yeah man, well your two cents are definitely worth more here. Ill ultimately do what me an my wallet feel like in spring but I'm thankful for the piece of mind

[JSharrmz]

Problem with a down payment is that it locks you in to more payments. If his cars paid off and he doesn't feel the itch then it's not necessarily a waste if 2-3k yields 2-3 or more years.

Exactly, thanks.

[Jackal]

Why not try it yourself. You seem to be in the business and this will give you a chance to practice. Is this an option?

[peterm15]

You have pictures?
Seeing as your car had a lot of km on it and you don't plan to keep it forever. Going the "cheap" route to fix the rust my be a good option. Grind, sand, fill and paint.

[JSharrmz]

You have pictures?
Seeing as your car had a lot of km on it and you don't plan to keep it forever. Going the "cheap" route to fix the rust my be a good option. Grind, sand, fill and paint.

I've filled it once before an kept it primed and my bass cracked the filler and put me back to square one, an yes fixing it myself could be an option, I was talking to body shop today and they said they'd think about it

[peterm15]

If it cracked it sounds like you used to much hardener.

[JrCanuck]

Yeah man, well your two cents are definitely worth more here. Ill ultimately do what me an my wallet feel like in spring but I'm thankful for the piece of mind

Sounds like you're in the exact same boat.

The limit to what is spent on my car, is the wallet.

[machda]

Hey guys, my car is starting to rust to and it's sad and makes me sad. I love my car it's great except for the exhaust problem. This summer I am going to deal with the rust. I went to a back street auto body guy and he said $1000-1200 to paint the whole thing and get rid of the rust. But me being a student it's costly, so I was thinking of fixing the rust spots myself, by grinding it down, sanding filling it and painting it. For me it's in my rear wheel wells in my rear lights, break light, and the bottom of the doors and door pillars. Does anyone know where I can buy the paint from? And if the rust bubbles in the door panel pillars is fixable since it's under that black plastic?
Thanks in advance!

[Jackal]

Try Paint Circuit for paint:
http://www.paintcircuit.com/index.ph...d=41&Itemid=89

[Mangtoos]

Try Paint Circuit for paint:
http://www.paintcircuit.com/index.ph...d=41&Itemid=89

I'm going to be looking to go to a place for some repaint products, but these hours suck unless you don't have a day job: Mon to Fri : 8 am to 5 pm

Is a spray paint can a good idea for repainting, or should you use an air compressor + paint sprayer? I have one area I want to sand/touch up and a few small rust spots I want to fix before they get worse on my 05.