Rust. Would you bother

[Andrew1972]

We have a 2005 Subaru Legacy turbo wagon with 215k. It's driven 16k/year. I suspect the car will cease running in the next 3-4 years. Would you bother fixing this this rust which is bubbling up? This is the site of body work 5 years ago. The other side has started also but not as severe.

 

[Trav]

Right on the dog leg can be real trouble. That is going a way up above on the fender and probably eaten up behind it also. I have done a lot of these, if you don't repair it will get much worse fast then you have a real problem.
Can you mig weld and cut sheet metal? Its not that bad right now and a relatively easy fix as far as rust goes but to have a shop do it will cost a good bit.

 

[JHerriot]

Three or four years is a long time. That doesn't look bad. Take a wire brush to it/sandpaper, clean it up and use POR15 on it. Let it cure and spray the body colour (easily found in store). I'm about to do the same job on my car and the spots on it are worse.

 

[KrisZ]

I would as I hate the sight of rust, especially on lightly colored vehicles.

If you don't want to put too much time and effort into this, you could do what I did on my old Focus, which was also silver. Once I removed the rust and primed the area, I painted the rocker panels and part of the wheel arch with matte black Rusteloum paint. I brushed on few coats on the rocker panels to make it more resistant to rock chips.
Honestly, it came out looking quite good, definitely way better than mismatched silver paint would've looked.

Also, once the rust is fixed, I would recommend brushing on a coat of regular grease on the inside of the wheel well, at least behind the fix. Repeat it each fall and the bubbles will most likely not return for the next several years.

 

[Carbon]

See if the body shop or insurance company offered a lifetime warranty on the repair.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

No. 215K + 16K X 4 = 279K in 4 years. I would be more concerned with rust undercarriage in places like shock mounts and frame condition. I would say any vehicle that has served you for almost 300K miles has served you well. Let it die in peace.

But it's your car, do as you please.

 

[pandus13]

I can't remember from your search last year, but did you manage to find another stick-shift wagon around in good shape?

if not, would a stick-shift mazda5 would be OK for wife and 3 kids? (rust-proofed each year of course... mazdas and rust...)
back doors are sliding....chairs are pretty good size/height for a mignone lady

well, the rust decision is not our to make. I think your wife attachment to the car will win (but i remember you already have some pretty expensive engine work on it)
it gets the job done, so i would fix it and do everything else to keep it road worthy/safe for the family


remember that pretty much any insurance will total your vehicle or not pay much for it....

 

[fenixguy]

Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
No. But it's your car, do as you please.


^^This^^ I would save the $$$ and put it towards a replacement or a vacation. I don't think I would want to put money into a Subaru with 200k+.

 

[Astro14]

Shoot...in Vermont...that's not rust...that looks like a brand new car!

 

[fenixguy]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Shoot...in Vermont...that's not rust...that looks like a brand new car!

That's what I was thinking. Around here it would be advertised as "Like new! Driven one winter! Super clean! Low miles for a Subaru!"

 

[SHOZ]

I've got the same issue on my '08 Accent. The paint is bubbling up along the left rear fender well arch. I've been spraying it with fluid film and that stops the additional corrosion of the exposed metal but does not stop the creeping bubbling under the paint.

 

[supton]

I'd spray FF and ignore. If necessary, I might grind down a bit and JB Weld some flashing over it, in case of need to pass inspection. Rest of car likely isn't far behind, and as pointed out, not of very high value.

I suppose though if it is the only spots of trouble, and you really like the car, it may be worth doing. At least something to slow it down. But it may not be worth "doing right" with color matching paint etc.

 

[Kestas]

I believe in prevention before rust can set in, via rustproofing. I learned this a long time ago when I was in high school. Fixing rust is nuts for a car that still sees winter duty. The rust will come back stronger than ever.

As mentioned above, spend your money and efforts elsewhere.

 

[WiskyBadger]

Originally Posted By: fenixguy
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Shoot...in Vermont...that's not rust...that looks like a brand new car!

That's what I was thinking. Around here it would be advertised as "Like new! Driven one winter! Super clean! Low miles for a Subaru!"
same in Wisco.

 

[Ducked]

Short answer: Yes. Rust annoys me.

Long Answer: Er..That'll get a bit..er.. philosophical (Pretentious, Moi?)

I'm assuming DIY, otherwise the economics get out of hand (and out of my experience). I'm also assuming you're keeping the car. If not, better get rid of it asap.

You can make this a lot easier and a lot cheaper by considering adopting a couple of principles.

(a) The best is the enemy of the better. Counsels of perfection (which is often what you'll get on internet forums from people who aren't spending their own time and money) don't get you the most cost-effective solution.

Forget all that, "If a jobs worth doing" bollocks unless the rest of it goes "its worth doing just well enough".

(b) You are slowing rust, not fixing cosmetics (Specific aspect of (a) really.) Most people are hung-up on cosmetics, probably due to peer pressure. A non-cosmetic rust treatment will probably make it look worse, and they can't accept that, but fixing cosmetics is where most of the time, effort and expense comes from, and they can't accept that either, so they do nothing, with predictable consequences.

My current car had been owned by a surfer and rust was about to get a fatal grip on it when I bought it. I've slowed it right down without expense or huge effort, but the car looks worse because I pay no attention to cosmetics.

Your car has a silvery paint finish so it wouldn't look too bad with the foil-oil treatment (mine used to be red so it shows).

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthr...ges#Post4376358

Dig the rust out. You'll make holes. Holes are natures way of improving access and ventilation, but if you need it aluminium foil and sunflower oil can also sometimes work as body filler.

 

[Rolla07]

Id put touch up paint on it and not bother. Not worth ur time energy or money unless its rusting where we cant see. Cover it up cheap and get another 3-4 yrs if you can.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil

But it's your car, do as you please.


Agreed

 

[OPR4H]

You won't need to cut and weld, because doesn't look perfurated, just a treatment and a paint job is enough, completely doable.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would not bother fixing this.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: Carbon
See if the body shop or insurance company offered a lifetime warranty on the repair.


I never seen a body shop that will warranty rust damage. That rust can be easily fixed and look good for 2-3 more years.