Hi guys, just wondering on your opinion on this.

I've got a '67 convertible, pretty much torn down right now. The floor pans are in pretty good shape some rust and places where its rusted through. The holes are about the size of a quarter. Should I have new pans welded in or clean the hell out of the pans and seal them with a rust inhibitor (if you know anything really good let me know). Whatever I do I want to have the floor pan shot with Rhino liner or Line-X, will that help prevent rust spreading?

Cleaning the floor pans of rust is a big pain for me, all I have is a drill! What tools might you recommend for that task?

I've got to get this thing put together, its been sitting for three years. (anyone wanna do it for me? I pay.)

Anyhow, I'm lacking in anything but basic tools so for welding I'd have to have it sent out.

thanks in advance.

Welcome to the club! graemlins/beers.gif

Samurai Jack! Interesting cartoon. I like it.
:D

If the holes are that big, I would imagine that the rest of the floors might be a little thin. If the rust is contained to little spots though, I would just cut and weld a few little pieces of steel in there... unless you really want to replace the whole pans.

As for rust inhibitors... I personally like POR-15. Do a search, you can find lots of information.

Good luck.

por15 offers a floor and trunk pan kit ... for around a 120 bucks. Sounds like it would contain everything that your looking for to repair the floor pan damage you discribe.

http://www.por15.com/product.asp?productid=305

Good Luck!

[ 06-08-2004, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: no69x-44 ]

The other thing that is great about POR-15 is that you DO NOT have to use that drill and bring the car back to a no-rust condition... go to their website:

http://www.por15.com/

and read their info... you will love this product, and I personally think it will do what you need done in this case without the expense of extensive repair until you can better afford it. I say that, because when you get a first-gen Camaro, it is AMAZING how quickly money starts flowing into it. I've thought I might even need a separate job/career to support it. LOL.

I had a similar experience with my 82 GMC Jimmy. The pans were rusting from a windshield leak and from a roof gasket leak. The floors were rusting badly when I discovered the condition. The rust had eaten through in many locations (very simialr to the condition you describe.) I bought POR's Floorpan Repair kit. I followed their instructions to the letter (a 4 step process.) This POR product forms a really tough coat where it is applied. I don't think the rust will be back. I was not capable of welding new floor pans and the cost for a shop to do that would be astronomical. I used a right angle grinder with a sanding disc to get most of the surface rust off. I would recommend this POR product to anyone. Thanks.

What about that rustbullet stuff? It's supposed to do the same job without the surface prepping. I emailed them a few questions about it.

smile.gif Thanks for the replies!

Too bad you're not replacing the pans. Especially in a convertible. But ya do what ya gotta do, right?

RustBullet, POR, whatever.... they'll help prevent the rust from going any further. No matter what you choose to use, follow their directions to the T!

I don't know about not prepping the area to be painted and then just slapping some special paint on it. Even though POR is called Paint Over Rust, you never actually DO that with it. It's a 3 or 4 step process.

I don't know if the RustBullet stuff claims it can treat the rust as it covers and protects it, but if it does, it must be a decent product. I just wonder what's happening to the rust that's still under the paint? Even regular paint needs plenty of prep on bare metal before the actual base is shot.
I've never used a paint that can just be painted right onto a rusty area. Sounds like soemthing I'd like to see if it's claims are true!

But with floors in that kinda shape on a convertible, I'd want to do some repair and strengthening before just treating the damage. Like Boodlefoof said, the rest of the floor(s) and the underlying structures have to be getting thin also.

the rust's not that bad anywhere else. I'm in California and even the rainiest season isn't as bad as a week on the east coast. I'm guessing it was because the top was f***ed up and they let it sit out in the rain a few times then left soggy carpet down.
I havn't had a chance to check it from underneath but I've jumped up and down on the holes to see if I could cause more damage (force myself to spend the money to fix 'em, and I'm a hefty guy)but nothing else popped up, took a wire brush to the surrounding areas and pulled up clean metal without too much work.

Okay so I'll pick up one of those products and get to work. Eventually I'll have the pans replaced but I'm too poor for that right now.