Hood hinge drain rust repair - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #16 08-27-2008, 09:46 AM

Chad, looks great! Was part of your thumb a sacrifice to the rust gods?

It's probably covered here, but what guage steel have you been working with? I'm getting a hand-me-down Mig welder from my uncle and figured after I practice on my old snowmobile trailer I might tackle my fender rust with it.

Chad300tdt · #17 08-27-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Chad, looks great! Was part of your thumb a sacrifice to the rust gods?

It's probably covered here, but what guage steel have you been working with? I'm getting a hand-me-down Mig welder from my uncle and figured after I practice on my old snowmobile trailer I might tackle my fender rust with it.

Thanks Swamp. I'd be off to the doctor if I cut it on rust, I cut it while trimming new sheet metal without the leather gloves that I should have been wearing.

I've been using 22 gauge which is the absolute thinnest sheet metal I would recommend working with. It's fairly easy to shape and still strong enough for body repairs.

If I was welding, I would use a heavier gauge steel.

Dee8go · #18 08-28-2008, 09:20 AM

Nice work, Chad. You seem to be quite adept at repairing rust damage.

Chad300tdt · #19 08-28-2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks Dee8go.

chilcutt · #20 08-30-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Nice work, Chad. You seem to be quite adept at repairing rust damage.

Me thinks Chad should market his pictures in a video format and make $$$ off of his mad skills!

HighDesert Benz · #21 08-31-2008, 01:26 AM

another job nicely done Chad, with your usual great documentation as a bonus for us to be inspired by. Kudos!

Chad300tdt · #22 08-31-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Me thinks Chad should market his pictures in a video format and make $$$ off of his mad skills!

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighDesert Benz

another job nicely done Chad, with your usual great documentation as a bonus for us to be inspired by. Kudos!

Thanks guys.

If this inspires or helps someone else out, I'd be overjoyed. I'm just trying to "give back" to the forum that has helped me more times than I can recount.

Chad300tdt · #23 09-06-2008, 05:00 PM

It's been raining heavily all day so far and I took the wagon out to fill up with diesel. It's also been parked in the driveway (not garaged) since the repairs.

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna has provided us with tropical storm wind and flood watch warnings in our area. The wagon is perfectly dry inside.

I wish the AC was working so I didn't have to drive with the windows closed and defrost sweating me out when it's raining.

A pic during a lull in the storm:

Strife · #24 09-07-2008, 12:54 AM

You did a thorough and inspirational job on this - but the images in the first post need a "warning - some viewers may find the following images shocking or disturbing" note. Seriously. I may not get sleep tonight!

Chad300tdt · #25 09-07-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strife

You did a thorough and inspirational job on this - but the images in the first post need a "warning - some viewers may find the following images shocking or disturbing" note. Seriously. I may not get sleep tonight!

Thanks for the compliments Strife.

Sorry for the disturbing images.

Dee8go · #26 09-08-2008, 09:02 AM

I got water in Max last week even though I had thrown a tarp over him. The hood was partially exposed, though, and I had water standing in the back after the rains stopped. Im wondering if I might have a leak in the same place as yours was.

Chad300tdt · #27 09-08-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

I got water in Max last week even though I had thrown a tarp over him. The hood was partially exposed, though, and I had water standing in the back after the rains stopped. Im wondering if I might have a leak in the same place as yours was.

The screws that hold the wheel well liner in place can also let water enter the car. When I put my liner back in, I put some sealant in the holes first.

Chad300tdt · #28 11-15-2008, 07:43 PM

Well I got around to doing the passenger side today and had another wonderful surprise waiting for me.

It required the removal of the fender this time:

Upper hood hinge drain with hinge support and spring removed. You can see some small holes here:

Lower hood hinge drain, under the battery tray. There was a sub-par silicone sealant repair here that I dug out and will now fix properly.

I still need to remove the EGR box from the kick panel area inside so I can access the holes from the inside of the car. Then I'll begin the POR-15 steps and sheet metal patches.

I'll post more pics once I get a bit more done. I hope to finish tomorrow, but will have to wait until Tuesday to complete the work if I don't.

Chad300tdt · #29 11-17-2008, 10:45 PM

Here's how far I got tonight.

Battery tray just needs top coat:

Inside floor needs POR-15 and top coat, then Dynamat.

The hole at the lower hinge drain needs a little more work. View from inside:

View from outside:

The upper drain area needs a coat of POR-15, red base coat and clear coat:

bgkast · #30 11-18-2008, 01:12 AM

I have a feeling I will be doing this soon. I noticed some rust in my hinge pockets when I was working under the blower intake vents courtesy of another one of your how-to guides. Under the battery tray has been patched with fiberglass before I got the car, so I know there is a bit of rust already. I shudder to think what I will find when I pull the fender liners...

Now I just need to decide if I want to weld a patch in or do a repair like yours.