Repairing rust

[FourAG]

I just recently aquired an AE86 in good condition except for a rusted hole in the underbody that is preventing it from getting certified. The hole is located at the rear seat and is pretty small and all. I was just wondering if there was any way I could patch it up without having to pay several hundred at the body shop. There is are also a few parts on the body that are showing minor surface rust, any ideas on how I can get rid of this? Paint over? All suggestions welcomed. Thanks

-Ivan

[mr_sinister]

if there's a hole in the floor, ususally a lot of metal surrounding is gonna be bad too..

the only way to fix rust is to get it cut out and ahve metal welded it, but that costs lots of money.. so it depends how much you want to spend and how long you want ot keep your car, I guess..

[FourAG]

I was told to sand down the hole completely and fill it with bondo then some sheet metal underneath to reinforce it. I suppose that can work?

Edit: Also wanted to add the the hole is very small; about a quarter size.

[mr_sinister]

if there's a hole in the floor, ususally a lot of metal surrounding is gonna be bad too..

read the above again.

if there's a quarter sized hole, you probalby have at least 6" square of rust there.. (not always, but very very likely)

yes, bondo will get you to pass safety, but its not a good long term solution.

like i said, it all boils down on how badly you wnat to keep this car for the long term..

[Voodoo.Priest]

You should just get it fixed right so you won't forget about it and have it get worse latter. I'm investing $1,500 to have all my rust removed and repainted. Then after that I wont have to worrie about it cuz it's all gone and I'm not going to drive it once the salt is on the road.

[FourAG]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm just looking right now for a solution that will get it certified so I can put it on the road. At that point I can continue saving up to get the full rust removal job done. Yes... I'm poor.

[toymaniac]

sheat of metal, pop-rivets, grinder, acid, silicon, undercoating,

grind the hole bigger than the spot of rust

you can wash the rust away with acid

than make your form with the metal

rivets and silicon than undercoating

[Xenon]

My body shop charged $60 to cover up a hole I had under the driver floor matt, it was pretty big. They did bu cutting the rusted area off and welding one sheet metal from the the bottom and one from the top and then rust proofing all around. It came out great.

[FourAG]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm going to use some sheet metal and fix it up for good. Looks like my uncle's friend happens to do some body work.

[TigerSilhouette]

Make sure to use some CLR to clean up the rust
A friend of mine had a huge hole in his 65 mustang.
He fixed it up with some sheet metal, a welder, and a whole
lotta luck Good luck on the rust fix