Rusty Rocker Help

[bendoty]

Couple of questions:

1. Not really sure what I am looking at in the below pictures. It appears the part peeling off is actually the undercoat and not the rocker panel itself, true?

2. From the experience here, how far gone is this? (I know the pictures are rough) Does it have to be replaced? If so, is 1 or 3 the correct part? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=2431&mospid=47138&btnr=41_1144&hg=41&fg=20

Thanks

Ben

[Kpeters]

When rust is visible it is usually a lot worse below the surface. Don't want to be the bearer of bad news but you might have to either change the rocker or at least have a little patch there.

When I have rust sports like that I usually hit them with a small hammer lightly and hear the metal try to see how deep it's going and if it starts making holes then I brush off all rust take off all the bad metal and spray some primer while it waits for the new metal to avoid it from spreading.

Best of luck! In case you want some of those we have them for $93.

[///mChris]

I'd expect this kind of work

http://classicmotorsports.net/project-cars/1972-26-2002tii/bmw-2002-rocker-panel-replacement/

[rms_sandiego]

I may be wrong and there are others with more expertise in this, but I think the actual piece with the rust in your picture is the rear quarter panel. Wolloth and Nesch have a patch panel for that part of the panel that will be needed in addition to the rocker.

[///mChris]

I totally agree. The outer rocker panel is covered in the rear by the quarter panel. I am in the process of replacing my rockers. I am using the W&N panel. It's much easier than replacing the quarter panel.

When I started down this road, I thought my rockers were the one solid thing on my car. When I took off my rocker trim I saw a tiny little bubble of rust. I used a wire wheel on an angle grinder which revealed the rocker was perfect on the outside, but swiss cheese on the inside. I also used a USB endoscope/borescope I got on ebay to verify. Since It really bothers me my doors don't close right when I jack up the car, I'm also using the MGB panel inside to strengthen the rocker.

[///mChris]

By the way... I really wish I had used some internal frame coating 20 years ago...

http://www.eastwood.com/internal-frame-coating-w-spray-nozzle.html

It's the cheapest insurance you can buy for those rockers. I'd encourage anyone with "clean" rockers to protect them. All you have to do is pop off the plastic plug just in front of the seat bracket under the carpet. Put the nozzle in and press.

Since welding burns up most rust proofing paint. I'll be doing this after I weld mine back together.

[Delia]

Be certain to remove ALL the rust or it will return.

Here's 1972tii (VIN 2762084) before and "in process."

D

[dlmrun2002]

Curious to how far your car has come along Delia. I like what the body man did with the spoiler on the front blending it into the body.

dlm ny country

[Delia]

Curious to how far your car has come along Delia. I like what the body man did with the spoiler on the front blending it into the body.

dlm ny country

I think you must be thinking of a different car. The car with the blended front spoiler is an original '72 Inka (VIN 2582533) that is currently receiving a monster turbo'd M20 and other goodies. Paintwork on that car has been completed and assembly begun @ A1 Imports in San Rafael.

Neither one of these cars is "mine" save for whatever I put into them as far as a little time, direction and something called "project management." It allows me to keep my hand in the hobby while I make my living elsewhere. When you've spent the past forty+ years tinkering with cars as a an "advanced hobbyist "and are nearing the age of retirement you think of different ways to appreciate the cars you purchased brand new.