Date:         Fri, 28 Feb 2025 06:37:42 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Rust treatment process and products?
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <SJ2P222MB0972B786CE111C2879D7C2AAA0CC2@SJ2P222MB0972.NAMP222.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Thanks Dennis,

        I’m not ready to make those big steps yet.  Certainly cutting out the rust is the best option but in my case the rust is not through the metal.  And in most cases looks like it will sand down to a very flat surface. 

This is on the flat part of the hatch and barely is seen only in one tiny spot outside the seal.  The inner flange is rust free. 

My goal is to figure out how to grind smooth, fill in and treat any pits or remaining rust, seal with primer and paint or other product like por15 and replace the seal.  The tiny bit under the seal may be larger once I grind to clean metal but likely will be covered by touch up paint.

        I’m looking for a crash course.

Though the windshield and other windows might need care, they are not showing signs yet on the outside, the inside,  or to the touch when I push around the seal so I’m not going to chase it down.  That would wait for a windows out paint job.  And that is not in my near future.

I’m hoping to slow it down on the rear hatch and learn about the current best rust treatment products.  

Any new products or strategies out there?

If a list member has had success slowing down rust what approach did you take?

Thanks,

eRic 


> On Feb 27, 2025, at 9:58 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> If you have this rust under the rear window it is a good bet you have it under the others, especially the windshield. The fix is to cut it all out and weld in new metal. The pices are available to replace the gasket flange. For the rear hatch the easiest is to find a non rusted hatch. 
> The more common fix is to use epoxy and various other filers to hide the damage and provide a sealing surface for the gasket again. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2025 9:37 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Rust treatment process and products?
> 
> Rust!
> 
> So, under my rear window seal on my 85 was a patch of rust that started to show at the edge of the seal.
> 
> After removal I found bumped up worm like stretches along the bottom where the seal covers the metal.
> 
> So, How would you approach this problem? 
> 
> How to remove the rust and then what products for remediation? 
> 
> All suggestions for how to approach it and what products is greatly appreciated.
> 
> Eric 
> 85 GL auto westfalia