Rust near the windscreen

[RaceDiagnostics]

Guys, how would you tackle this job. Filler then primer, or epoxy then filler?

It started like this.

Once the trim was off it looked like this

After a bit of sanding.

Then a lot of rust eater over 6 hours.

I ended up with this.

A bit of surface rust due to the rain this afternoon, I will sort out in the morning.

So how would you tackle it?

 

[Wallace]

Looks like it has been repaired before. Dead centre of the photo there looks like a poor finish in the paint and bubbles under the new paint.

 

[malcolm]

Has the windscreen been replaced at some point? Normally the trouble is bare metal caused when the old screen was removed.

Having caught it reasonably quickly I would go for a good primer and top coat, then use PU sealant around the seal to try to seal up any gaps. There might be some better sealant if someone else can advise.

I have found significant benefit using cold galvanising primers like Bilt Hamber Electrox on stuff like that, brushed on.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I think it is the original screen but can't be sure, I have had the car for ,3 years but it is 13 years old. The car has had a poor respray at some point in its life so that explains the mottle. You can see that they did not remove the trim when they did it.

 

[langy]

I would take the screen out and do it properly as it will only return if you don't

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Also, how quickly can you overcoat lechler epoxy with base coat?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I would take the screen out and do it properly as it will only return if you don't

I'll do a proper job on it when the glass needs replacing.

 

[Gareth J]

What are your expectations regarding how long you want the car to last and how much do you care about the finish?

 

[Rocketman]

I'll do a proper job on it when the glass needs replacing.

You could be waiting a long time for that though.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

You could be waiting a long time for that though.

I don't know, rocks hit screens all the time you know.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Anyway, back to the original question regardless if the screen is in or out, epoxy then fill or fill then epoxy?

 

[HughF]

Never put filler on bare steel, always put a coat of epoxy on the steel then epoxy over the filler. Anyway, screen out, de rust ,epoxy, fill, epoxy thinned as a surfacer, high build, base, clear... Check your glass excess

Unless you use chopped strand, which is waterproof, you always want to seal the steel from the sponge that is the filler. Then obviously seal the sponge from the atmosphere, best bet for that is more epoxy.

If you want it to last. And get that tax disc off and in the bin where it belongs!

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Due to the fact that I am skint at the moment, the glass is not coming out, no glass repair place will warrant the removal against damage and a new screen will cost me £900! I will not take that risk.

So I pushed ahead with some epoxy, I was going to use an air brush but ended up using a brush to push it right up behind the plastic clip.

First I cleaned up the area with some more acid.

Then painted on the epoxy.

 

[HughF]

remove glass yourself, call autoglass, book the car in for 2 weeks time, do the paintwork, guy comes and fits new screen... I don't see the problem here?

 

[richie00boy]

Perhaps he doesn't want the risk of damaging 900 quids worth of screen at his first attempt of DIY removal?