Windshield frame rust

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 04:34 AM

Anyone ever tackle windshield frame rust? I did a search and found nothing. I may have rust at the lower L/R corners of my SC.
I have not pulled the windshield yet but when I looked under the rubber seal.......

Im sure someones "been there done that" but was surprised there are no threads I could find.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

I got 280 hits in the 911 tech forum searching Windshield Rust. None of them were helpful? I remember a few threads with body work done to restore the lower windshield header.

Rot 911 · 11-04-2005, 05:07 AM

also search on "replacing windshield" that is when most people discover they have rust.

1982911SCTarga · 11-04-2005, 05:16 AM

Here's my experience: Front Windshield Seal Success

Brian

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 05:16 AM

I did but everything I looked at was dealing with water leaks from the seal itself.
I'll give it another shot.

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 05:39 AM

no luck.

cnielsen · 11-04-2005, 05:57 AM

post some pics to show how bad it is and we will tell you what to do with it..

Jgordon · 11-04-2005, 07:15 AM

I had the same thing - lower right (passenger) corner. took it to a shop, they fixed it while the windshield was getting replaced. Wasn't that expensive. Make sure they check for rust heading down into the dash, as water can get down there. As with all rust, if you have the cash, fix it sooner rather than later.

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 07:42 AM

I would post some pictures but I'm just finishing up the front bumber mount rust issues. I just took a peek under the seal last night and it did'nt look to good.
I thought I'd read up on some posts so I new what my options were.
When I get to that area I''l post what I find.

Thanks.

Tim Hancock · 11-04-2005, 08:08 AM

Ron here is a link to one of my old posts which has some before/after pictures of my windshield frame rust. Interior project b4/during/after

I wire brushed the rust areas, then used the POR 15 system, then touched up with matching paint. Luckily mine had not rusted all the way thru the metal. Both lower corners of my front windshield looked this way. The rear glass had very light surface rust at one lower corner. The rest of this car is rust free, so I have to believe that this rust was due to years of water sitting under the seals.

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the link. that was a huge upgrade to what you had before!

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
Ron here is a link to one of my old posts which has some before/after pictures of my windshield frame rust. Interior project b4/during/after

I wire brushed the rust areas, then used the POR 15 system, then touched up with matching paint. Luckily mine had not rusted all the way thru the metal. Both lower corners of my front windshield looked this way. The rear glass had very light surface rust at one lower corner. The rest of this car is rust free, so I have to believe that this rust was due to years of water sitting under the seals.

Amazing transformation, Tim. Wish I had the skill or patience.

Ron, here is a photo of bad stuff... not my car thank goodness.

Ron.G · 11-04-2005, 08:43 AM

Wow, now thats some rust

Hope mine is NOT like that.

Tim Hancock · 11-04-2005, 08:43 AM

Yes the car has come along nicely. Since that post I have wetsanded and buffed to an outstanding finish, rebuilt the steering rack, modified the muffler to a two out, new tires on refinished wheels, new shocks, new turbo tie rods, fixed AC, rebuilt brakes, new brushed stainless thresholds, and probably some other stuff I am forgetting. I still need to get rid of the sugar scoop headlights and may go with fiberglass bumpers someday. It is actually a very nice car now!

DG624 · 11-04-2005, 09:08 AM

Tim, did you remove all of the rust? I have the same issue and would like to have the rust blasted to metal and then zinc primed. I don't want to redo the windshield.

Tim Hancock · 11-04-2005, 09:37 AM

DG,
I got most of it with a small wire wheel on a die grinder. I thought about blasting, but I decided getting the sand all over was not worth it. The POR 15 comes with cleaner and etching solution, so I felt pretty confident with the repair. I am unclear about your "I don't want to redo the windshield" statement.... You have to remove the windshield and seal to get at the rust no matter which way you remove the rust.

1982911SCTarga · 11-04-2005, 10:09 AM

I did similar to what Tim did on mine. I wire-brushed and treated the rust with POR-15. The rust on mine wasn't as extensive as Tim's pics.

You do have to remove the windshield and seal to properly address this issue.

DG624 · 11-04-2005, 10:54 AM

Tim, I don't want to do it twice. I have not used POR-15. Will it cure all rust? I also don't think the structural integrity is the same if there is still some rust. Can or do you have to fill with weld material and if I have to will POR-15 inhibit welding? I am afraid that someof the metal is gone so it will have to be filled will new welds.

Tim Hancock · 11-04-2005, 11:08 AM

I am no pro on rust repair, but if you have holes rusted thru, I guess you will be cutting out the bad and welding in new. If it is not rusted thru and as long as you get most of the loose rust out, and you follow the instructions that come with a POR15 kit, I think you would be fine.

Many others (on this board and elsewear) swear by POR15. I have only used it twice so I cannot swear by it yet until time proves it to me. I would never use it to bandaid large quantities of rotted metal, but I feel pretty good about my application in this instance.

Mike O'Meara · Mike O'Meara's Garage

Try this thread, too.

how to repair rust on A-pillar?