Rust Spots Under Carpet

[72MetallicMalaga]

I found some surface rust under the driver's side carpet while doing some pedal box maintenance this weekend.

Given my lack of restoration experience, what do experienced FAQers typically do for something like this? Just grind it out and paint over the bare spots?

 

Goal is to drive it for 5-10 years before stripping the car down and doing a proper restoration.

 

 

 

[Son of Marty]

Wire brush the rust off, repair the holes with por 15 putty and then coat the whole area in por 15 rust converter paint.

[tech71]

looks like the frame rail was replaced on that side as evidenced by the parallel lines of big, spot/blob welds.

Edited March 20, 2023 by tech71

[Dudeland]

I feel ya.  I am digging into this tonight. 

 

[72MetallicMalaga]

Left frame rail was definitely swapped our during prior ownership! I know because I had to fix some poor welding and rust on the bottom side of the car 😄

[Son of Marty]

Is the welding due to a frame rail replacement or from when the floor pan was replaced?

[72MetallicMalaga]

Both were replaced during prior ownership, I think that particular welding is from the frame rail because you can trace both lines up along the pan, where the rail would be underneath.

[Mike Self]

Here in Ohio we'd be tickled pink to find a driver's side floor that nice!   As has been pointed out, wire brush, paint with an anti rust paint and be done with it. 

 

One further suggestion:  where the replacement floor meets the original floor (at the toeboard and presumably under the front seat) squirt some seam sealer along the joint both inside and underneath.  It was obviously overlapped and welded, not butt welded, so there's gonna be a breeding ground for more rust.  On the underside, use wet patch roofing cement (really!)  It sticks well, is flexible and waterproof.  And inexpensive.

 

mike

[SplitDash]

I just posted this the other day.

If you want to keep driving it then don't dig to deep is my advice 😂

 

[HobieDog]

That sure looks like the shipping primer on the replacement pan.  My approach would be to wire wheel it all off and coat with POR15.  Then go looking for other replacement panels that were installed by the previous owner….