SUV Hatch Rust? (Surface)

[00Crew]

Ok,
I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra, I was standing on the back bumper looking at the very back top of the roof, and noticed that in between the cab and hatch door the paint is starting to peel off and slight surface rust is starting to form. You can’t see this at all opening the hatch, the only way to see it is to looking directly in that gap looking down at the roof.

I have a few other small spots that I am going to tend to that are easy access, but this one seems impossible to get to without removing the hatch. How worried should I be? The primer still looks to be there, so why would it be surface rusting? Any ideas?

As always, thanks guys and gals!

 

[SLCraig]

In your climate, I wouldn't worry at all to be honest. I've seen vehicles with that same type of thing going on and it doesn't get any worse for years.

If you lived in this climate, would be worth having addressed.

It isn't abnormal either, on seams in certain places it is fairly common to see that on vehicles in certain spots.

 

[dparm]

Some Naval Jelly on a Q-Tip, followed by some touch-up paint should neutralize it without requiring a hatch to come off.

 

[00Crew]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Some Naval Jelly on a Q-Tip, followed by some touch-up paint should neutralize it without requiring a hatch to come off.


That is a good idea on the naval jelly. I will have to clean it up real good and do that just for preventive measures. Now, on the paint, how do you advise that? Just a long small (art) paintbrush?

 

[dparm]

That would work. Some touch-up paint containers actually have a brush on a long tube anyways.

 

[Stephen_G]

My grandfathers nissan quest has a rust spot the size of a 9v battery on the hatch, along with both sliding doors.

Personally i would keep an eye on any surface like doors, and the hatch for water build up, now that i got a car with a hatchback i am going to be extra careful with the car washing and getting it dried out.