Water Damage - Help

My 4 month old, used 2002 SES has rusty seat frames. The metal is orange rust on all surfaces. Looks to be on seat frame metal surfaces, similar rust on passenger seat. Drivers seat is power,passenger is manual; works fine. No rust on floor attachment points or under dash or rear seat. Seat fabric can be pulled up easily from frame. I think seats might be replacements.

I was concerned car was under water, Carfax revealed nothing, but car is Midwest rental. I think there was trunk leak, musty smell in spare tire well and slight rust on Jack and spare tire rim. I've been concerned about water leaks after reading those posts The paint inside and out appear to be OK. Wiring looks original and plugs to seats don't look rusted.

For a car that may have water damge, any suggestions on problems to look for?

Most car seat frames do not get painted, seeing that your car is 5 years old rust covered seat frames are normal.


My recently purchased 2002 SES has rusty seat frames. The metal is orange rust on all surfaces. Looks to be on seat frame metal surfaces, similar rust on passenger seat. Drivers seat is power,passenger is manual; works fine. No rust on floor attachment points or under dash or rear seat. I was concerned car was under water, Carfax revealed nothing, but car is from Midwest. I think there was trunk leak, musty smell in spare tire well and slight rust on Jack and spare tire rim. I've been concerned about water leaks after reading those posts

Most car seat frames do not get painted, seeing that your car is 5 years old rust covered seat frames are normal.i have a 13 year old truck, i live in the mid west, i have looked at similar cars in the junk yards in the midwest. it is not normal. either your interior is getting wet or a rusting accelerator has been exposed to that metal.

I have 3 fords and they all have rusty seat frames.

That's what happens when you salt your french fries and spill the salt into your seats. Bare metal rusts no salt needed, air holds enought water to do the job.

i have a 13 year old truck, i live in the mid west, i have looked at similar cars in the junk yards in the midwest. it is not normal. either your interior is getting wet or a rusting accelerator has been exposed to that metal.

Have your tried running a Carfax on the VIN? Sure, it may not catch water damage if it was not reported to insurance, but if it does come back that the car had prior water damage, you will know.

-Rod

Hi everyone, thanks for your help.

My car was purchased based on a CarFax. I'll look for Rust next time.

A recommendation was to try Loctite Extend. Its kind of rust primer. Painted it over rust, it drys and turns black. The really orangy metal pieces were turned semi gloss-black in two coats. Its supposed to be a latex paint based metal paint primer. I don't know if this stuff can be abused or not. FWIW there's no residual odor in car from painting. I wouldn't want to paint anything that really shows. Its supposed to cover and prevent further rust ...if it holds up till I may paint over it later. Dont drip on carpet, dries hard.

Unfinished parts can rust from a single rain exposure (leaving windows rolled down)

I don't have rusty seat rails.