New rocker panels. A rust proofing question.

[lght1]

Hi

I just received new rocker panels for my regal. I would like to treat the insides with a encapsulator such as POR 15, Chassis Saver,or Eastwoods.

Since the panels are painted by the manufacturer, for something like POR 15, should the existing paint be stripped first?

 

[Warstud]

Take a look...there probably bare metal on the inside. They usually only paint the outside.

 

[sciphi]

I'd sand the inner surface, degrease, then apply the coating.

 

[lght1]

Hi

They are painted both sides.

Should the insides be stripped or merely sanded/scuffed up for POR 15? I expect to use their marine clean and etching products before applying. I just wished these panels weren't painted on the insides.

 

[mechtech2]

No need to remove the primer.
Sure, some specialty products are made for bare metal, but leave the primer on unless your product specifically says it needs bare metal..

 

[lght1]

Hi

I have not been able to read any reference to fresh paint/primer (not their own) on any of these products. Most information speaks of "pre conditioned" metal , i.e. rusty.

POR15 does speak of new metal (unfinished) which must be prepped using their marine clean and etch fluids first; nothing about fresh painted, new metal.

 

[VNTS]

So you have cut out the old rotted rockers and are installing these? I would paint them with weldable primer.

Check out Eastwoods Internal Frame Coating. After you weld these on, I assume you can snake a wand into the hollow area. The IFC has a aerosol can and wand with special tip for 360 coverage. Has a phenolic zinc coating, just flood the area with this stuff and call it good.

 

[Trav]

+1 on the Zinc weldable primer.

OP Is this just a temp repair on a beater or do want to fix it properly to last?

 

[bustednutz]

Fill it with Great Stuff. Its a great sound deadener as well.

 

[lght1]

Hi

Not a beater definitely.

These are new panels and I would like to eliminate the chance for future interior rot as much as possible.

 

[sciphi]

If they're painted, get the paint off before applying the POR-15. If they're only galvanized, scuff the coating, degrease, etch, and then POR-15.

Even if you follow everything to the letter, the POR-15 does not always take. I found that out on the Buick.

 

[Trav]

Do you have access to a mig welder,hand grinder,etc? Does this car have a sunroof? Is it a 2 dr? any plastic over the rockers?
Sorry for all the questions but they are relevant to the repair outline.

 

[sciphi]

If you can't weld and it's a simple section that allows clamping, panel adhesive may be a viable option.

 

[lght1]

Hi

This is a Regal..so 4 doors and bottom cladding.

I will not be repairing the existing rockers as I already have new stamped metal. Unfortunately, its already painted with primer.

The repair will mean cutting out the existing ones and welding these complete rockers.

 

[JHZR2]

I would coat it with a waxy coating like eastwood HD anti-rust or amsoil HDMP after all the welding is done. Of course that means access is necessary...

 

[Trav]

I have done quite a few grand prix rocker panels over the years some observations.

Be prepared to do some welding to the inner rocker boxes once the outer skin is cut away, i use 16 ga sheet metal for this if only rotted on the bottom, if it spread to the sides to any great extent i replace the inner box. The cars structural integrity depends on these boxes.
Inner rocker panel damage is greater when the car has an OEM sunroof as GM ran the drains right into the rocker panels.
For a long lasting repair these drains need to be relocated into the rear of the trunk just in front of the rear bumper using 3/8" nylon tubing and rubber grommets.

Use weld through zinc primer on everything inside before welding after its welded spray the outside.
Strip the black primer off all new parts (a floppy sanding drum in a die grinder makes short work of this job) then spray the zinc inside before welding the part to the body, use a self etching primer on all parts that will be painted or coated with chip guard after welding and filler.

The plastic cover bracket may use studs welded into the rocker panels these will need to be
replaced with new ones. The easiest way I found is to get small threaded screws and screw them into the rocker in the correct location then hit them with the mig and cut the head off with a cutting wheel.

The bracket that holds the cover on may not be available without buying the whole
Plastic cover (for the GP they are $400) so use care removing them.
If you run into problems with these PITA let me know i have gone through this misery many times with these.

Weld in short burst when working near the rear quarter they distort pretty easily, one trick is to use a strip of tooth paste about 1” above where your welding it helps shied the quarter from the heat.

Once its all together use something waxy to protect the inners, i use Corban 22 with a wurth gun and wand setup but 3M has some decent inner panel spray with a wand.
You can access the rear parts through the interior side panel opening once the panel is removed and the rocker s through holes that are there on the back side of the sill covered with a black tar compound.

 

[lght1]

Hi

The cladding for the Regal is different. It comes off easily using Christmas tree fasteners. There are no mounting pins welded to the rocker.

The car is very sold and the only issue was the outer panels so I guess I am fortunate.

After stripping the primer and allowing a flash coat of rust to set in, I plan on coating the inside of the panel with POR15.