Typical rust

[sawyerrm]

I'm going to look at a 58 on Tuesday and wanted to ask where the typical rust spots are on these trucks. My experience is with El Caminos which rust on the back window and smugglers box. I searched the forums regarding rust but all the comments seem to be with newer trucks.

The truck I'm interested in has been repainted recently yet seems to have some rust chips.



How could this happen so soon, did they fail to prep the body before painting?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Rob

[sawyerrm]

Image didn't post, let me try again



Rob

[YukonXL04]

Looks to me like they just repainted it over all the rust. Might have knocked off the loose rust and painted right over. I betting the did it to sell it, so you might look it over REALLY good and see if they are covering anything else up.

[sawyerrm]

Dang, that makes sense but then why post a picture of it?

Went to UTA 30 years ago, I bet Arlington has really changed.

Rob

[ptc]

take a magnet with you.... check all the outer rear body corners, door hinge areas, cowl area, lower front fenders, lower door panels inside and out and the interior running boards like in your picture. That will tell you if there is any heavy body filler in those areas if the magnet doesnt stick or falls off.

the pitting you are seeing in the pic is rust pitting that they painted over, which is fine if they prepped it right. but otherwise its going to have to be taken down again and prepped and painted in time.


Good luck

[1project2many]

I don't like the chips on the edges. Is that steel or primer underneath? If the paint is thick and the substrate is not properly prepped then expect more rust and chipping.

BTW, never heard "smuggler's box." Funny.

[sawyerrm]

The El Camino used the same frame as a station wagon. So the smugglers box went where the people on the back seat would have put their feet. Chevrolet put a box, without any access, in that area and laid the bed on top of it. Water would inevitably get in there and cause the rust.

Rob

[OrrieG]

I decided to make up a list since this comes up a lot. It is divided into "usual" and "wetter climate" sections. Also listed the cause so people can fix the problem not just repair the damage.

[YukonXL04]

Originally Posted by sawyerrm

Dang, that makes sense but then why post a picture of it?

Went to UTA 30 years ago, I bet Arlington has really changed.

Rob

Thats awesome, I have only lived here the past 18 years, but it has changed alot since then. Not really for the better lol

Looking at that pic, It looks like the seat bolt is an old rusty bolt and appears to be loose haha

[Dan in Pasadena]

My advice is skip this truck. You'll be paying for that paint job in the purchase price and you ALREADY have misgivings about it.

Better to pay less for one that needs paint and know what you're getting, pick your own body & paint man.

[roger55]

Yep.
No matter how much he paid for that paint job, it's pretty much worthless when you paint over bondo filled rust.

Take a look at my build thread if you want to see many typical rust locations and how involved it is to repair it. I provided all the details with many, many photos.

[sawyerrm]

Thanks everyone for your excellent feedback. I'm taking your advice and steering ( no pun ) clear of this one. In fact, I've bid on another

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Ot...m=272032688843

which I'll post for suggestions in the EBAY forum.

Thanks again for helping me avoid a big mistake.

Rob

[roger55]

Posted in the other thread