How much does it cost to fix rusted out spots on a car?

Answer 1

I'm sorry, I just found this site today, and I had included extra details in the answers section, but apparently they left. The details that got deleted: It's a 1990 Plymouth Acclaim. There are two spots on body panels, slightly underneath the car, and right in front of the rear wheels, quite close to the jack points. One on either side. Each is about 4.5" by 1.5"-2". They are totally corroded through. This, I know, will require the sections to be cut out, and new ones welded on. I don't want exact numbers, just a rough guess from people who have some knowledge of the subject. I want to attempt to fix some hail damage at home, but I want major problems i cannot fix at home fixed first, but if it's going to cost too much, I will just leave the hail damage alone.

The cheapest way to do it would be for you to acquire patch panels or 1 large panel big enough to be cut to sizes allowing for a little extra in proper guage steel or thicker.With effected area that small if fairly flat won't need a donor car. You are also lucky alignment is not an issue. If you were replacing a quarter for example, whole car is aligned off of it, so you need a jig. You also have to be sure about cause. It could be from road salt, weather (tires) or a drain hole plugged at bottom and coming through body. Rust has a tendency to spread even if only started lightly near area you described. With a drill and cutting disc (dirt cheap from Home Depot) You could easily cut out sections and save some of the labor and provide steel to a muffler or small welding shop, if this is also cut, save even more money they can just overlap with the patches which will be near invisible in area or countersink slightly with a special tool and make flush-but this will cost more.In area described, spray can undercoating should easily cover and if damaged area that small on each side. I would rotary wire brush it clean for a ways around damage just to see how far it really goes. Areas that look like pitting near corroded out area or evident rust should be cleaned and treated on any part not cut out. Eastwood has a brush or spray on rust convertor that turns rust into metal on areas likely effected. If area has a brace running accross it or suspension mount point then it gets a little tricky but if not, should not effect integrity and if repair panels need a slight contour (curve) a muffler shop can bend as needed. A small welding/fab shop may even have (or should) suitable panels available.

Answer 2

That question is totally ridiculous. How are we to know the extent of "rusted out spots". The very words "rusted out" imply that some body metal has been corroded right through. How far does this extend, in the fenders, in the doors, in the roof , or even all over the car. This could take an hour or two or a week or two !
Give us some proper facts and we will give an answer.

Answer 3

Will depend on the size and number of spots. There is no one answer- sorry-