Rust Repair and Mitigation

[Daskuppler]

Hello Everyone!

 

My question is not in regard to a Subaru, but I'm having trouble finding quality feedback from other groups and I trust the members here so I'm hoping someone has some insight.

I have a 2006 Nissan Xterra and the paint is just crap. I recently noticed little spots of rust popping up through the paint, even where there is no damage. Is there anyway to mitigate this without cutting it out, welding in a new piece of metal, and repainting? I'm not really interested in letting the vehicle fall apart or getting rid of it, but I can't justify a 6-10k bill to have a body shop fix it.

I'm handy with tools, have a professional grade HVLP gun/system, angle grinders, die grinders, etc..but welding is not.my strong suit, especially on gauged metal.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

All of my of my pictures are too large to upload, but I'll work on getting them downsized.

[czny]

In the 70's we used Alumalead or Tigerhair fillers for that sort of rust repairs. Those fillers are long gone now but Eastwood does market some similar fillers for rusted panels, but it's all in the prep beforehand to make it last. Back up the larger holes with some fiberglass cloth & resin if needed to hold the filler, if you can get to it. Again, it's all in the prep just like painting.

  https://www.eastwood.com/ew-contour-alum-repair-compound-25-3-oz.html

https://www.eastwood.com/usc-all-metal-2-1-lb.html

[Daskuppler]

On 5/14/2024 at 7:48 PM, czny said:

In the 70's we used Alumalead or Tigerhair fillers for that sort of rust repairs. Those fillers are long gone now but Eastwood does market some similar fillers for rusted panels, but it's all in the prep beforehand to make it last. Back up the larger holes with some fiberglass cloth & resin if needed to hold the filler, if you can get to it. Again, it's all in the prep just like painting.

  https://www.eastwood.com/ew-contour-alum-repair-compound-25-3-oz.html

https://www.eastwood.com/usc-all-metal-2-1-lb.html

Thanks for the information! I would assume I can pull the headliner and get to the roof ones, but you never know.

 

If i can just sand the rust out and it doesn't create a hole, doI need to do much else besides prime and paint?  Where's the best place to source paint?

[czny]

26 minutes ago, Daskuppler said:

Thanks for the information! I would assume I can pull the headliner and get to the roof ones, but you never know.

 

If i can just sand the rust out and it doesn't create a hole, doI need to do much else besides prime and paint?  Where's the best place to source paint?

Search the Eastwood website for how to videos on prep & paint plus other info. https://www.eastwood.com/garage/

They should also have metalprep solution for bare metal.

Check your VIN plate for a paint code or some other sticker with that code for color match.

Take that code to a local auto body supply for mixing a quart if that's all you need. Learn by doing.

Edited May 16 by czny