How to spot rust

[Jonlopes]

Greetings,

I am going to be looking at a 1971 C10 longbed this afternoon. I was previously going to be getting a 69 c20 but the thing was rusted through pretty bad and I decided to keep looking.

This truck looks good in the Craigslist pictures and the owner says it is a rust free California truck. I know that rust in the cab corners and/ or the rocker panels was a standard feature but it sure would be nice if true.

My question is if there is any easy ways to spot bad rust repairs, I do not want to spend $5k+ for a truck and have a bad bondo repair job come back to haunt me. Thanks!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Bring a soft flexible magnet with you (like the ones rock auto sends with all your orders).

Magnets won't stick to bondo.

Other than that, look for odd panel gaps, etc.

Of course there's all the standard places... core support under battery, PS front fender cup, back of fenders on bottom, door bottoms, rockers, under cab, top of windshield, look under/on top of drip rails, bed fender wells on top, look down in and under cowl, look under dash. Look for signs of staining or wetness inside cab.

[EARNHARDT#3]

Take a good magnet and check the prone area. They actually sell a tool that is kind of like a tire tread depth gauge. It utilizes a magnet and has a gauge on it that will show how thick the bondo/paint is.

[flashed]

If it has been repaired ask for before pics ,otherwise take a magnet along and see if it sticks . Or better yet take a second person along to spot something you might miss .Been there done that but you will have better luck out west than us out here with rust issues .Good luck on the search .
Also post the link and let others here help you out .

[hugger6933]

How do you spot rust? well when you find a 67-72 truck you have found rust. The General didn't do ANY rust proofing on these trucks in between the panels is gonna be some degree of corrosion. I have taken apart real nice bedsides and doors and it starts from the inside out. Not trying to scare but just telling you the truth. Of course there are some climates in the great country that are less prone to this than others. Jim

[Jonlopes]

Thanks for the advice. Turns out I didn't even need to bring any magnet or tools. The "no-rust" California truck had no rust holes but plenty of rust bubbling under the paint all along the perimeter/ underside of the roof above both doors and all around the windshield so I passed on that one.

[In The Ten Ring]

My truck is a bondo buggy! I'd warrant some of the more experienced restorers on this site would pass on it. It means a lot to me as my dad gave it to me, so I'm sticking with it. At some point, it's going to get restored, and I'll have to either learn how to do it before that day or (more likely) kick out some big bucks!

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by EARNHARDT#3

Take a good magnet and check the prone area. They actually sell a tool that is kind of like a tire tread depth gauge. It utilizes a magnet and has a gauge on it that will show how thick the bondo/paint is.

Who sells such a tool, pray tell? *I'd buy one.

[EARNHARDT#3]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

Who sells such a tool, pray tell? *I'd buy one.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=141337095862

[In The Ten Ring]

Thank you sir!