Birdcage Rust, Recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery Alabama
Birdcage Rust, Recommendations
Hey guys,
I mentioned in an earlier thread that I was getting water in either through the TTops or the windshield. I finally took off the Header and Post interior and this is what I found. It appears to be exterior rust and the birdcage appears to be pretty stable and with no rust going really deep. Being this rust can be taken off, how should I do that and what do I put over it. I believe the water is getting through the TTOp weatherstrip on the front corner near the post, as I was looking at it, it appears the weather stripping doesn't seat to the frame on the corner? I'm thinking of using some type of rubber to put under the corner of that weatherstripping to push it out to give it more available product to seal to the top?? I hope that makes sense. Any suggestions on what to do to the rust and to make a better seal with the weatherstripping? The weather stripping is fairlynew only a few years old but since installation the car stays under a carport.
I mentioned in an earlier thread that I was getting water in either through the TTops or the windshield. I finally took off the Header and Post interior and this is what I found. It appears to be exterior rust and the birdcage appears to be pretty stable and with no rust going really deep. Being this rust can be taken off, how should I do that and what do I put over it. I believe the water is getting through the TTOp weatherstrip on the front corner near the post, as I was looking at it, it appears the weather stripping doesn't seat to the frame on the corner? I'm thinking of using some type of rubber to put under the corner of that weatherstripping to push it out to give it more available product to seal to the top?? I hope that makes sense. Any suggestions on what to do to the rust and to make a better seal with the weatherstripping? The weather stripping is fairlynew only a few years old but since installation the car stays under a carport.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Hobart Tasmania
Rust In Birdcage
I had a similar problem and used a wire brush to clean off the scale and dust (not a grinder), then applied a rust restorer to turn the rust back into a grey metal color. Then used an etch primer and GMH chassis black. I can see a little bit of pitting but did not want to use body filler, the header covers it anyway. In two years no rust has reappeared.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
That rust is thick enough that you will probably find some holes if you grind it down. Either have the holes welded or fill them with some epoxy filler, depending on how long you intent to keep the car. Please be honest with future buyers as to the method of repair that you used.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Use a brush wheel on it to knock off the worst of it. Get some phosphoric etch and prep at home depot, $7. Follow the directions. Once cleaned up, por15, rust bullet or a good rust encapsulating paint or maybe some glass and resin. It looks bad, but not that bad. Check the lower windshield corners before you get real happy with it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
