Vehicle Cancer. How do I stop It in this place?

[shootmymime]

So I notice some bad rust starting on the under side of my rocker panel. It's really bad. Not so that it's got holes through the metal yet but I'm sure with any amount of force there could be some. How would you get inside there to clean and paint the effected area.

 

[TOY2G]

So I notice some bad rust starting on the under side of my rocker panel. It's really bad. Not so that it's got holes through the metal yet but I'm sure with any amount of force there could be some. How would you get inside there to clean and paint the effected area.

That's how mine looked, then I pulled the running boards......HOLY CRAP it's bad under the plastic. I bet yours is the same way. First thing I did was take a wire brush to it, then I took it to the car wash and sprayed it off ALOT.

Then I waited for it to dry, and put some rust converter in it (twice). Then I painted over it with under coating.

Time will tell, how well it hold up.

 

[sawguy]

Rust never sleeps!

 

[shootmymime]

That's how mine looked, then I pulled the running boards......HOLY CRAP it's bad under the plastic. I bet yours is the same way. First thing I did was take a wire brush to it, then I took it to the car wash and sprayed it off ALOT.

Then I waited for it to dry, and put some rust converter in it (twice). Then I painted over it with under coating.

Time will tell, how well it hold up.

how long has it been? so you did not get to it from the inside? because thats where its coming from, the inside. how is water getting in there?

 

[TOY2G]

how long has it been? so you did not get to it from the inside? because thats where its coming from, the inside. how is water getting in there?

It's only been a couple months. At the back of the running boards it was all the way through the metal. FYI, there is no other rust on the vehicle, it is pretty much rust free, the running boards just helped keeps the salt water there, and then it rusts through at the fenders under the running boards and lets the. Crap in. Because I had two holes in mine, I was able to wash it out and spray it inside also. The only true fix would be to replace the rockers IMO

 

[IBallEngineer]

It's only been a couple months. At the back of the running boards it was all the way through the metal. FYI, there is no other rust on the vehicle, it is pretty much rust free, the running boards just helped keeps the salt water there, and then it rusts through at the fenders under the running boards and lets the. Crap in. Because I had two holes in mine, I was able to wash it out and spray it inside also. The only true fix would be to replace the rockers IMO

Sad but true

 

[shootmymime]

It's only been a couple months. At the back of the running boards it was all the way through the metal. FYI, there is no other rust on the vehicle, it is pretty much rust free, the running boards just helped keeps the salt water there, and then it rusts through at the fenders under the running boards and lets the. Crap in. Because I had two holes in mine, I was able to wash it out and spray it inside also. The only true fix would be to replace the rockers IMO

yes i agree, but on a 96 sr5 4x4, noting real special with 300,000K miles, at what point do you quit fixing things such as this?

 

[01thunder]

remove running board, get it media blasted to do it right. if pittted, either cut and weld a new piece in, or fill with body filler, sand, prime, sand, prime and paint.

 

[pattycakes77]

I was surprised to find out that the front sunroof drains empty through the pinchweld in the rockers. In a nice climate that probably isn't an issue but in the midwest and other snow/salt areas it seems like it could hasten corrosion.

I agree though, replace would be your best option but that's a big job. Rust sucks because once you see it, it's almost too late to do anything about it. If you do fix it, there are all kinds of products you could spray on the inside to help keep future corrosion away. I've used Eastwood Internal Frame coating and at work we use 3M Rust Fighter. Just remember about those sunroof drains and don't coat the inside so much that it won't drain the water anymore.

 

[GrossMan]

yes i agree, but on a 96 sr5 4x4, noting real special with 300,000K miles, at what point do you quit fixing things such as this?

You hit the nail on the head! You'll have to do your own cost-benefit analysis on this fix.
I assume you aren't restoring this for sale at Mecum's Spring Classic :laugh: I would vote for sand and paint. I've used Rust Bullet with some success but there are many, many, other products.

FWIW: The rust you've got there would be considered minor in my neck of the woods.

 

[shootmymime]

I was surprised to find out that the front sunroof drains empty through the pinchweld in the rockers. In a nice climate that probably isn't an issue but in the midwest and other snow/salt areas it seems like it could hasten corrosion.

I agree though, replace would be your best option but that's a big job. Rust sucks because once you see it, it's almost too late to do anything about it. If you do fix it, there are all kinds of products you could spray on the inside to help keep future corrosion away. I've used Eastwood Internal Frame coating and at work we use 3M Rust Fighter. Just remember about those sunroof drains and don't coat the inside so much that it won't drain the water anymore.

there is no sunroof on this 4runner.