Thread: Rust question

I was looking at the rocker panels and the hole behind the passenger fender on my 2000 SE due to the rust then I looked at my 04 GTP and I got thinking what are my chances on it getting rusty like this? I herd the 2006+ impalas are rust proof are the newer gp's the same ?

I think GM did something different with the 04+ cars to minimize the rust. I'd still do some type of undercoating. I've got an 02, and I had a few small holes, and one large hole. I just sealed them all up, and sprayed 2 thick coats of rubberized undercoating over the entire underbody. Should last long enough.

Originally Posted by 02NavyBlue

I think GM did something different with the 04+ cars to minimize the rust. I'd still do some type of undercoating. I've got an 02, and I had a few small holes, and one large hole. I just sealed them all up, and sprayed 2 thick coats of rubberized undercoating over the entire underbody. Should last long enough.

What would you suggest I use for an undercoat, I don't need anything special just something that matches and to get threw the harsh winters .




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Rubberized undercoating is pretty popular. I bought 3 spray cans for two coats from the front to the back floorboards. And don'y worry about undercoating matching, you don't see it. I was going to make it the same color as stock, but when I realized it's not even the same as the body color, I just went with black undercoating.

Stock:


Overall looked pretty good, with the exception of one hole, tolerable, right?


Nope. After knocking all of the rust away, I was left with a large hole. I really don't have the tools, money, or real need to fix it professionally, so I did it the cheap way and filled it with foam.


After spraying. It works, very cheap and does the job. It may seem ghetto, but at least I'm the 1% that does something about it.


How it looks now


I still have to go over it again, I sprayed it kinda late so I didn't get it perfect. If I could get it all evenly, black looks good. I may be able to get it on a lift, wash it, remove what is loose, and spray it real good.

One of the members coated his like this:


Weird color choice, but you cant see it anyway. http://www.grandprixforums.net/showt...t=80782&page=3

Sorry for the lateness I didn't notice you replied. Looks like a long process of a job lol how long did it take you? I plan on doing this to Ol'Betty she's got 225,000 on her and her rockers and under carriage are pretty bad but rust isn't a way I want her to die lol


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It took me a while. About a day. I had to scrape the entire underbody of lose rust and paint, which was mostly lose paint in certain areas. Then I had to knock all the loose rust from the rockers, then fill them with foam. [The professional way would be to take the plastic panels off and either replace the entire rocker(weld one in), or weld a patch panel in. I don't weld.] Then I washed the underbody down from dirt and stuff, I just used a wet rag with water only, and another rag to dry it. That way I didn't have to worry about leaving soap behind, and it got it clean. After it was dry and the foam dried, I cut the excess foam level to the rockers. Then I sprayed two coats while laying under the car. Not very good conditions to paint in, but you can still see what you're doing, it's just not comfortable. I had it on jackstands, front and rear to get it up as high as possible while still being safe. Then afterwards you don't want to drive in the rain/wet roads for at least 24 hours. Add more time if it's humid or cool out.
Always wear safety glasses, but an entire face shield would be best from all the falling rust.

In 04+ GM started galvanizing its car parts and what not. Meaning it is supposed to last longer and rust slower.

Hmmm


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strut tower rust starting huh? I wonder why it's all in one area. You could take the strut off and try to rust proof it the best you can.

Yea I'm gonna have to if I plan on keeping the car, maybe I should put her away for the winter to keep her out the rain and snow


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Yeah maybe. Unless you want to undercoat and rust proof the wheel well and strut towers, then you should be fine. I will rust proof mine when I change my struts. For the time being I just poured some oil on the strut from the inside of the car lol.

As far as the rockers rusting, do they rust from the inside out due to clogged drain holes or do the side skirts tend to pack debris against the rocker causing the rot? I plan on taking care of the entire underbody of our gp when I do struts.

Originally Posted by usetaboost

As far as the rockers rusting, do they rust from the inside out due to clogged drain holes or do the side skirts tend to pack debris against the rocker causing the rot? I plan on taking care of the entire underbody of our gp when I do struts.

It's kind of unpredictable. Rust on these cars seems to have a mind of its own.

Would these help 97-03 strut towers or no..
http://www.dormanguide.com/strut-tow...-cap-kits.html

I don't like that "cap". I've never heard of anyone even using that.

Originally Posted by ILoveGM

I don't like that "cap". I've never heard of anyone even using that.

Yeah but if it helped I wouldn't care if I liked it or not..I have no clue, just was looking up some stuff n came across that. Maybe someone has used it before and has some input.