Topic: Rust is starting!

[piker_2000]

Our 1999 vw jetta is already starting to get rust around the handles and along the middle of the doors on the passenger side. I'm afraid that water is inside the doors and that we are going have  to get some used doors from an autowrecker to replace them. Most of the rust shows up as a bubble smaller than a penny except around the handles where its the size of a looney. Does this take a little body work to fix or am I in for some more serious surgery? Price is an issue here.

[Mdxtasy]

Rust bubbles are a big thing if not treated.  Most likely will involve sanding down the affected area down to the metal and filling it back (if it has rusted through) and then repainting.  Sanding a larger area than just the rust is important.  Also, you've got to find out how water got behind the paint.  Otherwise it's no use fixing the cosmetics.    I don't think it would be cheap to fix.  My brother's 92 Accord had some rust in the rear quarter panels by the fender and bumper.  $400 to fix.

(Message edited by mdxtasy on September 26, 2004)

[barrie1]

A good body shop can fix most of that type of damage for a reasonable cost. As repainting the Rusted spots has to be done its probably cheaper to have the doors repaired then replaced. This sounds like a lot of Rust for a 5 year old Imported Car.

[johngenx]

This sounds like a lot of Rust for a 5 year old Imported Car.

I agree!  Did you buy this car new?  If not, I would be highly suspicious that the car had been involved in some sort of collision and has had a poor repair.

[articsteve]

That is unusal to say the least on a 99 Jetta.

Only on one side?  Only on 2 doors?  Around the handle is murder to fix.  The door will need to come off and the handle removed and it will need to be sand blasted or it will return.  It can be sanded from outside, but it will return soon.

Hate to say it, but think about getting a cheap sand and paint job and trade it at some dealer.

[Mdxtasy]

Lifted from the VW site:

Anti-Corrosion
12-year, unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation.

If you have this warranty....I'd just take it back.

[asdf]

"12-year, unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation."

In most cases with these "limited" warranties, there has to be a hole in the sheet metal before VW will honour the warranty.

[Snowman]

Rust warranties from auto makers are a joke…. perforation of a body panel though corrosion will take longer then 12 years if you removed the paint and primer.  
I believe you are on your own Piker. It sounds like moisture was trapped behind the paint and primer. Perhaps some air is getting behind. Whatever the case…. this problems need to be fixed early and properly to stop……Rust never sleeps.  

[onearmed]

If this is on a MKIV Jetta its very unlikely that this would occur unless in an accident.  You shouldn't be seeing any rust on these VW's for at least 10-15 years.  They are fully galvonized bodies. If you have the older model then yes I can see this occurring.

[si]

Does anybody know of this electronic device that sticks on to your frame in your engine bay which sends a steady stream of electrons into your cars metal (or so I think) in order to ward off rust?

Does it work?

[Sterling]

"Anti-Corrosion  
12-year, unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation.

In most cases with these "limited" warranties, there has to be a hole in the sheet metal before VW will honour the warranty."

Correct. Hence the word "perforation."

And before we get too down on the manufacturers warranties, consider that rock chips, parking lot dings, key scratches, poor washing habits, etc. are hardly the car makers responsibility. Yet I would venture that these types of problems are the root cause of the majority of surface rust issues out there.    

(Message edited by Sterling on November 25, 2004)

[dart]

Robarakira, I think one of the Canadian watchdog agency got the company to recall the electronic anti-rust gadget that claims to prevent rust but was not able to prove it. A lot of people fell for this. Those who purchased one may have been able to get some money back.

[si]

wow,  yeah i was highly sceptical


I have heard that some steel ships have some device on their hull which prevents (slows down) corrosion, which may be similar.    Who knows.

[ericthejet]

I was at a bodyshop for a year as an appraiser.  The rust you describe is likely due in part to a repair as it is hard for rust to start up high on a door as you describe. The bottom is another matter as a small stone chip or many little ones over the years will start the rusting process.  Check to see that the door drains are free and clear of debris with a piece of wire as they allow water to run out of the door bottom.   As for the repair aspect it is a bit of work.  All the trim on the door and the outside hardware needs to be re and re'd.  Cost of the repair to the rusted areas, and then the refinishing.  Some colors do not require that you blend into the panels next to the door.  I think non-blend colors are red and black, this will save some cost.  If you want to save on the cost just apply a bit of petrolum jelly. It will keep it from getting much worse.  MY money is on a previous repair that used "bondo".  Run a magnet over the affected spot.

[william_w]

"Otherwise it's no use fixing the cosmetics. I don't think it would be cheap to fix. My brother's 92 Accord had some rust in the rear quarter panels by the fender and bumper. $400 to fix. "  Quoted

For those of you who owns Honda, I was told by the car who did the restoration of my MG as a common problem.  A easy way to prevent the rust forming in that area is by removing the weather/plastic stripping on the Wheel Arch.  I was told that thing does nothing but to trap salt and moisture.