Rust!

Crap! I am having some rust prob's and I want it resolved ASAP. I am getting rust in the rear quarter panels. Driver side below fuel door where bumper meets q panel, and passenger side quarter panel at top of arch above the tires. My friend works at a Honda dealership (mechanic) and I asked who he recommends for repairs. I went to this place and the dude told me that I NEED to replace the whole q panel at about 1,500.00 per side! I don't know about this and I think there has to be another way to repair it. I need some suggestions, please help - Thanks!

I searched for this topic about a month ago and found nothing specific, but I'll keep checking though.

If its not rusted through a quick cure is sand it off and fill with bondo. If it is rusted through you can cut the rusted areas out and weld some new tin in place. I had rust in my rear wheel well. That stupid rubber trim on the inner lip collects salt and dirt and causes rust. I just cut it out and welded a new lip in.

Yeah, I saw some dude on line post some pics where he cut out rusted portion and welded in a new peice. Do shops do this for you, sounds kinda tuff for me to do myself, I'm not that crafty.

Also this "expert" I took it to said my sunroof has a draining system that sends the water down the inside of the quarter panel and it exits right at the base of the quarter panel.. I think he's bs'n me. Does anyone know if 96 si lude's have this "cool" draining system, or is he bs'n about it?

He said it's common and will happen again. And he said if I take it to a body shop to have rust repairs, it will happen again 'cause it starts from inside and works it's way to exterior/body of the panel.. also true?

I don't know much about body work, please be patient. Thanks

Any reputable body shop should be able to do this patch at less than 1500 a side. Take your car around and get a couple quotes. If worse comes to worst, you might have to respray large portions of your car to get the paint to match. There's no shame in leaving primer on the car though. :)

I recommend undercoating the inside of the panel when you cut a hole in it to prevent further rust.

In the mean time, go to a paint store and ask them for a good rust killer to stop the current rust. It might look ugly until you get it fixed, but then again, so does a large hole in your car.

What about any of these gimmicks out there? Like this rust bullet sh_t, has anyone tried this before?

I don't not want to do no ghetto job (ha,ha), I am pretty p_ssed about it. It's like, when I'm driving I think that's all people can see.. Darn, I hate corrosion!

I live in Michigan, so it's bound to happen. Cars get destroyed 'round here.