Rust repair - where? Advice needed (GTA)

Hrk · Apr 4, 2018

Hi.
I would appreciate an advice from fellow forum members on where to fix rust on two rockers and two rear quarter panels.
VW replaced several panels but denied rockers, rear quarter panels and door.
I would like to fix it so rust won't keep spreading and it won't look neglected.
First question - will fiberglass fix be sufficient or should I go with cutting out and replacing parts of rockers and panels? I was quoted ~$400 for fireberglass fix (however person is not very responsice and I can't find any feedback on him). For cutting and welding two rockers and parts of two panels I was quoted ~$1,000.
My thought are $1,000 is probably a bit much for car I bought for $3,500 and I already have $1000 spent to put it back to road.
So my questions are - do you think fiberglass fix is sufficient and where would you recommend to bring it to for a fix?

Thank you in advance.

phantom1260 · Apr 4, 2018

What was the reasoning they gave you for denial?

I have an appointment next month for rust appraisal. For the sections they deny I'll probably try to do them myself following the methods in the video below.

https://youtu.be/n4vusY2-rkQ

Hrk · Apr 4, 2018

They said "too neglected".

PHAT-DUB · Apr 4, 2018

You can try www.cfdautocollisioncentre.com

mogly · Apr 4, 2018

If you found someone who will cut out and weld in replacement metal in rusted out areas for $1k- that is one hell of a good deal... verging on too cheap but maybe a hobbyist type who will do in their home garage?

Hrk · Apr 4, 2018

It's not a bad deal but I would like to keep the cost of car to minimum and wanted to know opinion about fiberglass fix and where it can be done.

imo000 · Apr 4, 2018

Unfortunately when done properly, this will be a lot more than $1K. The rust you see on the quarters is just the tip of the iceberg. When the paint is removed, it will become 3 times larger than what you see now. As for the rockers, there isn't any metal left, a good chuck of it would need to be cut out, some structural sections, and replaced.

krazykipa · Apr 4, 2018

Dang, VW giveth and VW taketh away... have you gotten a quote from the shop that does the actual warranty work? They might be able to bundle it with the approved panels for a slight savings, though I assume the approved work has already been done.

Quarterpanels look just on the verge of being too far gone for fibreglass, and your rockers definitely need replacing.

Hrk · Apr 4, 2018

Shop that did covered rust warranty quoted $700 each rocker panel, $600-800 for door, $400 each quarter panel. I bought this car for long distance drives, not as museum piece, so it was too much.

igiveup · Apr 6, 2018

Better of buying a clean gasser and swapping it over $1000

Hrk · Apr 6, 2018

igiveup said:
Better of buying a clean gasser and swapping it over $1000

Could you please elaborate, I'm not sure I understand.

McGuillicuddy · Apr 6, 2018

Hrk said:
Could you please elaborate, I'm not sure I understand.

He means buy a clean, gas powered MK4 and swap your TDI engine into it.

GoFaster · Apr 6, 2018

IMO that shell is too far gone. Fiberglass is never a suitable repair, and if you keep digging, I guarantee that you will find more rust.

If your engine and transmission are good, I agree with the above posts, find a gas engine car with a clean shell and swap everything over ... use this one as the parts car; you have everything you need to do it.

Hrk · Apr 7, 2018

Hmm. So what's the math here? Let's say $3,500-4,000 for clean gas car? Not just clean, has to have everything in decent condition (apart of engine). Then $1,000 more to swap engine. That is on top of $3,500 for existing car.
How much would I sell existing rusted body with spare gas engine for? Like $1000-$2000?

mogly · Apr 7, 2018

Yes, your math isn't "off" but if you took your time you may find a very good clean gasser wagon that has failed engine or transmission and get it for a fraction of what you've quoted.

Hrk · Apr 7, 2018

Interesting, I could definitely consider it.
Thanks everybody for your opinions and advices, really helpful.

2.2TDI · Apr 7, 2018

I don't know how easy it will be to find said wagon though... here's a few I found and they have some rust... not as bad but I don't know if you'll be able to find a rust free example

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...on/1345250812?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...on/1343134161?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...yl/1337483825?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

the second wagon looks like it has no rust, but needs a rear windshield... might be worth looking into that one

Hrk · Apr 30, 2018

Fixed rockers and rear quarter panels.
Rockers repaired with sheets of metal, I'm happy with this fix 100%. I'm planning to add splash guards to seal the gaps, but it's not really really necessary as rockers are now sealed inside. $500 for both sides.
Rear quarter panels - rust ground, sealing, painted. As you can see paint is more matte rather then gloss colour, so I'm happy 90% with these, cost was $300 for both sides and because I already ordered rockers job.
Overall I'm happy, I'm trying to keep any costs down on this car, just wanted to stop rusting and make it look decent.

Rockers:

Rear quarter panel:

petee_c · Apr 30, 2018

that's quite a bit of orange peel on that rear quarter, but it's a 12 yr old car and it's a lot better looking than before.

Did you find someone to do it on the side? or did you try it yourself?

I've got a MkV TDI that will need some attention soon, I plan to DIY this year.

Peter

Hrk · Apr 30, 2018

It was done in private auto body shop.

mogly · Apr 30, 2018

Thanks for reporting back. That's a fair price for what was done. Likely single stage paint based on the price and orange peel but who really cares at this price point. If you can't get used to the orange peel on those rear quarters you can "cut and polish" them, That is wet sand and then a couple/few different grades of cutting cream.

Looks way better than large blister and gaping rocker holes.

Hrk · Apr 30, 2018

That orange peel on first pic is front of the rocker panel. I'm thinking about installing splash guards so they would cover the gap between rocker and fender liner.

mogly · May 1, 2018

Hrk said:
That orange peel on first pic is front of the rocker panel. I'm thinking about installing splash guards so they would cover the gap between rocker and fender liner.

I can tell the difference between a rocker and quarter panel.

That rear quarter was what I referring to in my last post.

Hrk · May 1, 2018

mogly said:
I can tell the difference between a rocker and quarter panel. That rear quarter was what I referring to in my last post.

Then I just don't understand what you suggested with "If you can't get used to the orange peel on those rear quarters you can "cut and polish" them". I don't see any orange peel on rear quarters, could you please elaborate what you meant?

petee_c · May 1, 2018

Hrk said:
Then I just don't understand what you suggested with "If you can't get used to the orange peel on those rear quarters you can "cut and polish" them". I don't see any orange peel on rear quarters, could you please elaborate what you meant?

Orange Peel.

The 3rd picture you posted with a view of the driver side rear door and quarter panel.

You can see most of the house across the street in the reflection in the 12 yr old paint on the door.

The rear quarter panel, all you see is a fuzzy reflection. That is what orange Peel is. The clear coat or paint dried with the texture of orange Peel.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

Hrk · May 1, 2018

Oh, I see, thank you for explanation.
JFI - the door on the picture is brand new, VW replaced three of four doors with rust warranty. My main concern now is driver door, need to find a replacement and then maybe I will polish quarter panels as you suggested.

petee_c · May 1, 2018

Orange Peel is pretty common for diy paint jobs....

I sprayed and repainted this rear door on my 2006 Jetta tdi in June 2016 with color matched aerosol paint and then a 2k aerosol clear coat on top.

It's lasted decently almost 2 yrs later.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

imo000 · May 1, 2018

Do the rocker ends have any sheet metal behind the plastic wheel well liners or are they open ended? They look open. If they are, you should close them up or else water will get in and rust really fast. The body shop shouldn't have released the car with a paint job like that on the quarter panel. Least they could have done was to wet sand and polish. People have done better jobs with a can of spray paint in their driveway. Can't believe a shop did this and charged for it. Shame on them.

Hrk · May 1, 2018

Looks like this 2k aerosol clear coat makes a big difference, really hard to tell from pictures #2 and #3 that the door was spray-painted.

Hrk · May 1, 2018

imo000 said:
Do the rocker ends have any sheet metal behind the plastic wheel well liners or are they open ended? They look open. If they are, you should close them up or else water will get in and rust really fast. The body shop shouldn't have released the car with a paint job like that on the quarter panel. Least they could have done was to wet sand and polish. People have done better jobs with a can of spray paint in their driveway. Can't believe a shop did this and charged for it. Shame on them.

Rockers are closed (couple of centimeters inside), but regardless I'm planning to close the gaps with splash guards. It was a private "garage shop", budget fix for budget car. I can't do a better job so money-wise I'm happy with this fix of rocker and quarter panels. Thing is proper shops either don't want to deal with that kind of issues or quote too much for a $3500 car.

Rust repair - where? Advice needed (GTA)

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