Rusty door bottom

[BrokenBiker]

There are a few specs of rust in my newly acquired focus.

A few stone chips on the bonnet, a spot under drivers wing mirror that cleans up to shiny steel and then a bit about 3 inches long on the very bottom f the rear near side door where the skin folds over the frame.

Now I can get a door for 50 quid, but what's the fun in that.

I need a reason to buy a mig and a bottle of gas and the Mrs is actually quite happy for me to sort this rust out as she quite likes the car too

So, is it a case of cutting the rot out of the skin and making new or is it going to give me a headache?

 

[arther dailey]

Sounds like you are on a winner if other half likes the car, so crack on ! whats the worst case senario, you make an utter and complete lash and have to replace door from a scrapper, and I doubt that somehow,cant really lose unless you count monies /time spent. In my case I would say when you have a mig you wouldnt go back to not having one. and what better thing to learn on than a panel that can be unbolted and replaced if needed.win win.Arther.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I'm just weighing up my methods...I think if I 'unfold' the rusty bit of skin, cut the rot out and then make a like for like piece, weld it in place and then hammer the lip back over it should be fairly simple. I can get paint easy enough and it's only going to be a small patch.

Focus parts are everywhere so finding a replacement will be easy really...

Think I had best get some more Renault parts on flea bay and get myself a gys

 

[arther dailey]

Sounds like a plan

 

[octo0072000]

just leave it alone and just run it.
Stop messing with it get rid of all the other stuff first
bit of door rust wont harm it

 

[arther dailey]

get rid of the other stuff? obviously I am missing something here.??

 

[octo0072000]

get rid of the other stuff? obviously I am missing something here.??

all the bits of the megane

 

[arther dailey]

ok,gotcha . thanks

 

[BrokenBiker]

all the bits of the megane

they are sorted, all either sold waiting on collection or tucked away ready to be advertised.

the rest of the car is going on a spec to the weighbridge as soon as the fuel tank is empty...apart from having to see it every day im done with it now.

 

[MCKDAVID]

if it's really a drama, then I'd think about it like this....


50 quid for a door... now as much as I like welding, personally I wouldn't rse around with it for that.. bang a new door on, only an hours job, and get on with other **** that I've missed.
I've spent a lifetime dicking around with sh1it like that to save pennies, only to discover that it changes bugger all. life's too short now, is the way I think about things, I've plenty of welding jobs to keep me occupied without un necessary occupations like that.....

 

[BrokenBiker]

if it's really a drama, then I'd think about it like this....


50 quid for a door... now as much as I like welding, personally I wouldn't rse around with it for that.. bang a new door on, only an hours job, and get on with other **** that I've missed.
I've spent a lifetime dicking around with sh1it like that to save pennies, only to discover that it changes ****** all. life's too short now, is the way I think about things, I've plenty of welding jobs to keep me occupied without un necessary occupations like that.....

i gotta fill the weeks somehow...bolting a new door on is ok if it needs to be done quickly, but im in no rush, apart from pottering around making random crap ive got no other welding jobs to do, so its either go shooting or fishing, or do something productive that will benefit the car

 

[MCKDAVID]

shooting, fishing or a car....

some years ago, I might have agreed with you, now, bollokks to it, pass me the guns : rods,

Just not worth it, especially for a ford. what are you going to save realistically, you'll be a tenner's worth of gas, fiver's worth of wire, two hours worth of ear ache from SWMBO / kids etc etc.., pass me the 2nd hand door..... if it was ferrari, or something exotic, it might be worth debating, but for day to day cars not, sorry it's not even worth discussing......

 

[octo0072000]

that's what i said leave it alone just run it for a while no need to mess with it
do oil and filters then leave it see how it goes you never know might be worse than the megane and breakdown for you can always get a door later beside you don't have a mig anyway

 

[MCKDAVID]

as above......if it's not broken don't fix it til it is.....


deal with it as & when it needs dealt with.. not before,

 

[bigegg]

Fill the bottom of the door with expanding foam, grind off all the rusty metal. Cover with isopon. Grind smooth and cover with stonechip.
Thats how i fix the rear doors on my transits.
Can be done with doors still on the car if the rust is bad enough

 

[arther dailey]

Think you are all missing the point, its an excuse to buy a mig welder......................!

 

[optima21]

I wouldn't worry about rusty door bottoms yet,here's one of mine

and a replacement door I've had for about 10 years (amongst other car panels)

of course you can still buy a mig welder, you may as well learn to use it before you need to use it in anger.

 

[MCKDAVID]

since when do you need an excuse to buy gear????

 

[BrokenBiker]

since when do you need an excuse to buy gear????

whats the point in having it if its not going to be used?

 

[MCKDAVID]

using it is one thing, practicing I can also get, maybe because I've so any other things on the go, I don't need to look for projects, they all seem to find me... either way, good luck with your door.