Rusty Jones where ARE YOU?

70NPORT

Old Man with a Hat
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Looking for tips about the rusty trunk floor in my baby, a 1970 Newport. I knew I would have to confront this sooner or later....so I've been going through her mechanically...but as far as body work goes I know NOTHING beyond slingin' bondo. I'm hoping to get straight advise on dealing with this from those of you who have "been there/done that".
Water is getting in (I believe) at the bottom of the rear window...the vinyl is all dried and stretched out and most likely the metal underneath is probably corroded (ya think?). It then drains down into the bottom of the trunk. I don't know what the exact path is b/c everything "looks' dry underneath the package tray...there does not appear to be any signs of water run off, but I could be missing it too.
So right now I'm looking to take "stop gap" measures to get through the winter which I guess means fill in hole(s) beneath rear window....which means ripping off the vinyl roof (dread!!!) along with the chrome bright work (?) AND shoring up the trunk floor (cutting?!?!):confused4:
I know body work is expensive; I'm a "5 to 9"! working stiff so signing checks at restoration shops just isn't in the cards for me, I'm hoping this can be a "do it yourself-er" type deal.

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You will never know until you pull the vinyl off and see whats what. For you to find the path of the water your going to have to get into the trunk with a flashlight and have someone pour hose water all over the car. Though your assessment is probably 100% accurate and the H2o is coming through the bottom of the window.

To get it through the winter? Does that mean you'll have it fixed or repaired correctly in the spring?

By taking the vinyl off you'll be exposing the rest of the roof to the elements. Unless your going to repair it correctly I think I would leave it be for six months, and not do it wrong now and correct in the spring.
 
You will never know until you pull the vinyl off and see whats what. For you to find the path of the water your going to have to get into the trunk with a flashlight and have someone pour hose water all over the car. Though your assessment is probably 100% accurate and the H2o is coming through the bottom of the window.

To get it through the winter? Does that mean you'll have it fixed or repaired correctly in the spring?

By taking the vinyl off you'll be exposing the rest of the roof to the elements. Unless your going to repair it correctly I think I would leave it be for six months, and not do it wrong now and correct in the spring.

I want to stop the water flow right now so I don't KEEP getting water in the trunk, it concerns me b/c some of the holes seem to be getting larger, I want to stop that immediately before I have no trunk floor left..(frightening thought):sad7: I'm thinking about using clear silicon sealer to fill the holes and stop the water from draining in, which in turn would keep the trunk dry. After that I guess sand it and painting with POR-15 will have to do until I can replace the trunk pan...or would it be easier (more cost effective!) to cut out the rot and weld in new steel pieces?...sorry, I'm freaking out a bit b/c I have no idea how to do proper body work.
 
The silicone will be a temporary fix and of course the wrong way to do it but it should stop the water intrusion.
The thing to do would be pull the vinyl, rear window trim and assess the damage. The metal around the rear window should be repaired then the trunk floor replaced.
 
I've learned that new b-body trunk floor extensions will fix some of the ruted out panels. You could use POR-15 to cover over the remaining floor. I did it many years ago on a badly rusted out floor in a 73 fury and it is still protected. SMS can make a new correct top if you decide to pull up the old one too.
 
Polara71 is right about where the water is likely to be coming in. Unless you smother everything in silicon it will most likely trap more water in there and channel it somewhere else than keep it out

Here's some pics of what was under the vinyl, trim and rubbers on my 65.
http://www.nzmoparforum.co.nz/index.php?topic=5606.90
There are little clips that hold the stainless trim on screwed to the wind screen return kind of tucked next the the rubber. I found that some of these screws and screw holds had rusted away.

Here's some pics of what I had to do in my trunk
http://www.nzmoparforum.co.nz/index.php?topic=5606.45

Dont be afraid of having a go yourself. My fury was only the second major rust project that I had undertaken. Buy/Hire a Small mig welder, Gas not Gasless A small grinder and some 1mm cutting disks, some sanding disks that will fit on your grinder, a power file, some tin snips, etc.. and check this guy out he does a lot with oxy welding (old school panel man) but still uses migs when necessary.

http://gallery.oldholden.com/Streetneat/Streetneats-secrets-shared/

Heres a trunk floor http://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/showthread.php?t=1551 (NASTY NASTY EVILBAY FEEDS) These are reproduction sheet metal not pressed but hand made so dont expect a perfect fit, they do take a little massaging to get them to fit right, but they are a good starting point, I bought a foot well from this guy and I think my trunk floor (mine was 5 pieces, not one) may have come from him also but I got that with the Fury when I bought it so I'm not sure on that.
 
The silicone will be a temporary fix and of course the wrong way to do it but it should stop the water intrusion.
The thing to do would be pull the vinyl, rear window trim and assess the damage. The metal around the rear window should be repaired then the trunk floor replaced.

I tried the silicone and it works pretty well. Right or wrong I just want to temporarily suspend water entry. Yeah I pretty much know what the situation is before even pulling up any vinyl and trim...seen it before.
 
Polara71 is right about where the water is likely to be coming in. Unless you smother everything in silicon it will most likely trap more water in there and channel it somewhere else than keep it out

Here's some pics of what was under the vinyl, trim and rubbers on my 65.
http://www.nzmoparforum.co.nz/index.php?topic=5606.90
There are little clips that hold the stainless trim on screwed to the wind screen return kind of tucked next the the rubber. I found that some of these screws and screw holds had rusted away.

Here's some pics of what I had to do in my trunk
http://www.nzmoparforum.co.nz/index.php?topic=5606.45

Dont be afraid of having a go yourself. My fury was only the second major rust project that I had undertaken. Buy/Hire a Small mig welder, Gas not Gasless A small grinder and some 1mm cutting disks, some sanding disks that will fit on your grinder, a power file, some tin snips, etc.. and check this guy out he does a lot with oxy welding (old school panel man) but still uses migs when necessary.

http://gallery.oldholden.com/Streetneat/Streetneats-secrets-shared/

Heres a trunk floor http://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/showthread.php?t=1551 (NASTY NASTY EVILBAY FEEDS) These are reproduction sheet metal not pressed but hand made so dont expect a perfect fit, they do take a little massaging to get them to fit right, but they are a good starting point, I bought a foot well from this guy and I think my trunk floor (mine was 5 pieces, not one) may have come from him also but I got that with the Fury when I bought it so I'm not sure on that.

Thanks, this is VERY helpful. Never having welded anything it does seem like a very daunting thought.
 
The internet is full of clever clogs guys and girls who have set up sites and stuff to show everyone just how clever they are. Which is great for guys like me who have to have a go at it myself. When I first started welding panel steel with the mig, I knew I wanted to be able to butt weld and plug welds (sounds a bit gay) so I read up on what I wanted to know on the net and in the manual for the welder I have, to fiqure what settings to start with on the mig. Then I got a bunch of panel steel (1mm Zinc) and started doing some practice welding before I started on the cars. One thing though Get an automatic helmut..
 
Wow, excellent...very helpful thanks. I see you have a lift--in your garage??, you are indeed blessed:notworthy:
Yes. I spent too many years on my back on a frozen New England concrete slab.
I think I earned it....:yes:
And YES, I am blessed. I truly believe that.
 
Yes. I spent too many years on my back on a frozen New England concrete slab.
I think I earned it....:yes:
And YES, I am blessed. I truly believe that.

I know the story all to well.....busting knuckles on insanely cold dark winter days.
 
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