Our old vehicle has a lot of rust...what is the most cost effective way to repair this?

Question

Our 86 Honda Prelude has a decent engine...but a TON of rust on the lower portion of the body of the vehicle. We don't want to put much money into it since it is so old, but it's just downright ugly and still runs pretty well. What is the most cost effective way to fix this? We also plan on running it through a cheap Maaco paint job...

Or, probably easier I should say, what is the best way to keep the rust covered up so that after we have it painted it won't be coming back through the paint?

Answer 1

You can never "repair" rust. Once it has eaten into the metal body, all you can do is replace the metal - or sell the car.

Answer 2

You can't just cover up rust once it's there it never goes away you might slow it down but it always comes back.The only way to prevent it from coming back is to replace the part entirely. The best thing to do is take as much rust off as possible use a grinder 40 or 36 grit on the shiny metal apply fiber glass over the hole and sand to your liking as far as looks go.If you want to take it a step further apply body filler over the fiberglass to help with the over all apperance. Apply a etching primer over the shiny areas of metal and fiberglass let dry then paint with what ever color the car is.This Will keep most of the moisture out of the major areas and prolong the life of your car a little longer

Answer 3

Sand it down to the bare metal before priming and painting. If it is rusted all the way through, you can use bondo to repair the holes prior to painting. If it is a major hole, you'll have to cut out and replace the sheet-metal. That would be the cheapest way of repair i know, and it would keep the rust from coming through the paint. If you primer and paint over the rust, it will bubble up and eventually come back through. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I would love to have your car.. It is ugly to some people and very beautiful to others. .. I guess you are on an ego got more money than you know what to do trip to get rid of what you think is ugly. There is no cheap way of fixing the car. Stay out of MACCO. You think the car is ungly now-- Wait till they paint the car it will really SUCK. It is NOT CHEAP---OK
Be thankful that your car is mechanically sound and drive the car with pride. Stop listening to your friends---if they don't like the car then ride with them--OK... OH--they don't have a car??? Such a pitty they will have to ride the buss. Never, Never let your friends drive your car--trust me. Never don't care what they are gona do. NEVER--OK If you let your friends drive you car now--that is the last time --OK Never have a designed driver to drive your car--OK.

Answer 5

If you the want the super-cheap-and-dirty method, cut the rusted parts out and weld/rivet some new metal in there.

Answer 6

find a new body and put your engine in it . you wil probably spend more money getting rid of the rust than the car is worth

Answer 7

A cheap easy way to cover it is to use fiberglass cloth and resin... it will cover up and holes and is easy to sand smooth.

Answer 8

Just enjoy the ugly.

Answer 9

http://www.ehow.com/how_3141_remove-rust.html