I just bought this 81-300sd (214K). The only rust on the car is in this picture (jackpoints, around the windshields, in the trunk, floorboards, etc..all clear). It is on the driver's side front quarter panel (I think this panel was repaired a long time ago) and about three inches long. There is no spongy-ness on the back side. I have read some of the archives on rust.

What should I do with it until I can afford to get it repainted?

Hopefully, my picture came through.

Thanks for any help.

Don

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I would think the best thing to do is sand off the paint in this area, and treat the current rust with a rust stop primer and get it sealed back up. you may want to take it to a body shop for an estimate, and an opinion.
John

The panel fit looks bad. Perhaps the result of a minor fender bender. My guess is the paint got scraped off in the seam edge area a little and water travelled under it and caused this. I have never felt the old mercedes primer was waterproof thus allowing this kind of rust spread. As last poster stated it lookes pretty minor. Although you will have to reseal the edge when repairing it I think to stop a reocurrence. I might approach a body shop for that one as the part may have to be removed to fix it properly unless you are up to it. Or on second thought if you can access the actual seam area and back you may not have to remove it. Unless you adjust some clearance in that seam by moving the fender ahead you will have it errupt again when the paint is damaged.