First signs of rust, with pics.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

I've had my '89 Carrera car for 10 months now, there are no issues whatsoever, to be more precise I've used a quarter of oil since I bought it, so far I have been a very happy camper. But as the title states, my Carrera has developed a little bubble of rust on the driver side rear window frame.

The car has always been garaged since I own it and I believe other PO's also, it's original paint. The thing is that I live about half a mile from the coast.

How should I address this?

How quick should I act?

How much can I expect to pay in order to have this fixed?

Thanks for the help.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I believe the piece in the shot is a trim piece, which can be removed, repaired or replaced and reinstalled. It's a fixed quarter window, so getting it in and out is probably something you want to leave to a body shop.

w21055 · w21055's Garage

If it is the trim piece, (I thought they were aluminum though)I wouldn't worry to much about it. Either get it refinished or another one. You could just sand it down and touch it up. Getting that window out is not that hard so I am not sure about pricing. Gaskets for those windows are somewhat pricey.

earlyaircooled · 06-13-2009, 11:00 AM

That is a trim piece and it is aluminum. ON the earlier cars it is black anodized, later cars I think still black anodized, at some point they may have gone to paint. I would lightly sand the area, then use some thin black paint or dye on it.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

Thank you Tech, w21055 and early,

You guy's are right, it is the trim piece. In the picture you can see the bubble has spread under and inside the rubber.

Inside is that still the trim piece?

You don't think it is spreading into the body yet?

I'm going to ask at a local body shop for prices, but was hoping this was something I could tackle myself. I'm always hoping, but often end up realizing that I'm way over my head.

Anyway, I feel a little better knowing that it's not cancer growing there, thank you guy's.

earlyaircooled · 06-13-2009, 02:15 PM

I would say from the picture there is no rust in your cars body there. Your car is galvanized steel quite resistant to rusting.

RG5 · 06-13-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlyaircooled

I would say from the picture there is no rust in your cars body there. Your car is galvanized steel quite resistant to rusting.

try telling me that now. rust repairs - sit down before you read this....!

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

You have to look under the trim piece. The rust is coming from there, not from the trim piece itself. It is quite possible that you have a rust spot around the screw that hold the trim. That happens. The important thing is: you found it before it disturbed the (visible) paint.

Good looking out, FSJ. But do get to the body shop ASAP.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

Thank you early, RG5 and tech,

I had already seen your thread some months ago, good job. I have to be honest, after going through your thread again my heart is racing, I'm hoping I won't discover what you did. I'm the third owner of mine and I bought it believing it has always been a garage queen, it still has the original paint and everywhere I park someone comes over and compliments it. It'll break my heart to find out I've been had, especially when I paid top $ for it. The only P specialist who's seen the car said it was perfect. I went to ask his opinion on wheel bearing replacement or just adjustment, he said that I only needed an adjustment and he also said that I had made a great buy, all thanks to this website. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and here's a pic of my car.

I'll do that tech, thank you guy's for watching over my shoulder.

Ed Bighi · Ed Bighi's Garage

Yup, looks familiar. No big deal. Even if the rust is under that piece as well. I fixed that same spot in my SC back in 91. At the time, I removed the trim on both sides, had the holes plugged and painted both those panels. I never put the rust cultivation devices back on. Those are right up there with the little rivets that hold the b-pillar rubber. Holes which are far better off plugged with some POR 15 on the back side. I did the same for my 930 when I had it repainted. I removed those guys real quick. Nobody can tell those are missing in my car unless I tell them.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

Ed, if you have the time, how hard is to remove those trims? I looked in the Bentley and it's not covered.

Miguel Antonett · 06-15-2009, 09:18 AM

Those pieces of trim/seals are a PIAS to remove and reinstall "PROPERLY."

jwasbury · 06-15-2009, 10:11 AM

Its not too difficult to remove the rear quarter windows. Installation is the trickier part of the job. I DIY'ed both of mine in order to replace dried up seals. In both cases, I removed the aluminium trim piece to check for rust. Found a fairly nasty localized area of corrossion on the passenger side. Sanded to bare metal, primed, painted, clearcoated...used 3m strip caulk when I reinstalled the trim. The driver's side was pretty clean underneath. There were tiny spots of superficial rust around the holes for the trim screws which I attended to since I was there.

I don't live far from Brooklyn and would be willing to lend you a hand if you decide to tackle the job yourself.

flatsixjunky · flatsixjunky's Garage

Hello jwasbury,

You have a PM.

Take care,

O-