Hidden rust

**RM686** · 02-15-2014

Been prepping my 1999 Grand Prix for new paint job. Car sanded down and minor dents fixed. The car looked perfect. When I sent car to a body shop to be painted they removed the rear bumper and found a huge rust hole thru both panels into the lower trunk. With the bumper on the car it looked perfect. I goggled rust on 1999 grand prix and it seems that from 97 to 99 snow would get trapped between the bumper and the body and rust thru on the passenger side. I do all my own work and have been under this car hundreds of times and never noticed any thing. This car now in Florida was a daily driver in New Jersey for 7 years.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps848039b8.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps8b118813.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...pse9c6db36.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps5095aa47.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psa748a463.jpg

**Scottydoggs** · 02-15-2014

thats ugly, looks like your fixing it up the right way.

i just had my regal bumper off, thank god i saw noting like that. mines been in NJ its whole life, 15 years now.

**02NavyBlue** · 02-15-2014

Mine's been in michigan all 11 years and it looks alright. Not all cars are built equal, paint in that area may have been lacking on a few cars here and there. Rockers were all bad though until 04

**SomeDudeAtHome** · 02-15-2014

Oh man that's brutal. I hope my car doesn't look like that undernieth but chances are it does. Not to get off topic but does anyone know what the little vent thing is for? I have a salt spot on my trunk carpet because it lets **** get in while driving.

**RM686** · 02-15-2014

The little vest is for moisture to be able to leave the trunk. Its one way so when you park your car in the sun the hot air has a chance to escape. It does not let cold air or moisture into the trunk. It also allows for pressure build up to escape. I remember years ago car windows would blow out in places like Arizona because of pressure build up on a 110 degree day.