I have read before that it seems to be a common problem with the Malibu - rust near the gas....cap. Or whatever the little door is called. Mine is bad, and there is actually a small spot where it rusted all the way through and there's a small hole. I definitely don't have the budget to get it fixed right now - is there a short-term "fix" at all?? Someone actually recommended just spraying it with Rustoleum to keep it from spreading/getting worse - would that actually do anything?? Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

I have read before that it seems to be a common problem with the Malibu - rust near the gas....cap. Or whatever the little door is called. Mine is bad, and there is actually a small spot where it rusted all the way through and there's a small hole. I definitely don't have the budget to get it fixed right now - is there a short-term "fix" at all?? Someone actually recommended just spraying it with Rustoleum to keep it from spreading/getting worse - would that actually do anything?? Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

My 98 has the same rust spot.
Food grade spray works good.If you have a small hole just use epoxy or some such.
In any case spray it every time you change the oil.

Cheers
stripe

i went to school for auto body and i can walk you throw how u can fix it. and all mats will cost maybe 30$ Email me with the subject at hand and i will let u no Greggore023@aol.com

lol yup me too. I saw another one driving aroun with the EXACT rust spot i have it was pretty shocking. Actually now that i think of it that entire panel is bad for rusting. Ive got a spot about 2 inches from the door, all inside the door (but not the door itself) and then right underneath where the panel meets the bumper.

ha ha, I have 2 malibus and they rusted in the exact spot. I ground away the rust (careful, there's gas in there !!), I sanded down the area, I body filled it (didn't take much), I primed the body fill, and I painted the area with paint from napa. There is a paint code on the underside of your spare tire cover, napa matched the paint perfectly and its about 20 bucks for a large spray can. Body fill and sandpaper cost me 10 bucks and it looks great.