Door Rain Gutter on rear of 69 Dart - Rust issues

-

JeffisOld

Old, Ugly and generally Disagreeable!
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
3,377
Reaction score
3,989
Location
Sophia,NC
Hello folks, I really only have a few rust issues to deal with on my 69 but I wish they were as simple as "replacing ALL the floorboards". That probably sounds humorous to some of you but I have learned that once you learn that it's pretty easy and straightforward.
RightRearDoorGutter.jpg

What is above is the rain gutter above the passenger side door. If you look close corrosion has caused the root panel to seperate from the drain gutter as the rust swelled up and pushed them apart.

I suppose the absolute correct way to repair this is to cut the vertical piece of the roof and separate the piece pinched in the other portion of the gutter and weld it all back together after soaking jt all jn Rust-Mort. That's probably good for a week's work (for me) and then I would still be unhappy with jt.

What if..

...I were to spray the crap out of it with Rust-Mort and then fill jt with POR-15 putty. Then I would use POR-Patch to make a smooth waterproof bond that, (in -theory) will never leak, and,in-reality will not leak in my children's lifetimes.

por_products.jpg


Your opi ions please O'Wise One's?
 
You're not going to want to hear this, but what you should do is cut that roof off and weld a different one on.
JMO of course.:D
 
Why not just cut the roof right above the rust, resolve the rust underneath, then weld it back up? You will need to be very careful welding to avoid warpage.
 
I agree with all the replies, cut out the rust and replace. You do it any other way you may end up with this... Someone tried to fix the infamous, "vinyl roof disease". Looks like you may have lead where you are working at, has to be remove and start your welding and body work.....

DSCN1558.JPG
 
You're not going to want to hear this, but what you should do is cut that roof off and weld a different one on.
JMO of course.:D
as far as what I see trailbeast is right. overall It is better to spend the extra money and buy a car that has a good body or if I saw the back window from top to bottom in the first place I would have told you to replace the whole thing. and if you did post it I am sorry I didn't see it. looks to me you need to replace the out side of the back window sure round
 
Mud it up, paint it with cheap paint and drive the he'll out of it!
 
So how do you feel about shaved drip rails? Could be an option here.
 
I think I agree with Furyus2. All I see in that picture is a tiny little bit of rust. For that amount of rust I would not cut the entire roof off. Now if there was a LOT more rust like that; different story. But in the one picture the OP posted, I do not see enough rust to worry about. I think I could have that cut out and patched up in one day.
 
That POR putty is bullet proof in my experience - and easy to work with. Go with what you suggested and drive it. By the time it becomes a problem again, your grand kids will 3D print a whole new Dart from carbon fiber.
 
I also don't believe you need to be overly invasive with the repair. I'd clean it out as best you can, spray some rust converter, fill and move on. I used what appears to be a very similar product in applications like yours with great results that has held up over time. It was JB Welds Steelstik epoxy putty.

SteelStik Epoxy Putty Stick
 
-
Back
Top