LV_4Runner

97 SR5 4WD Auto 81500miles.

Dang! I just found a rust spot on the rear driver side door near window.
It is located very very close to window, so that it seems like I have to remove the rubber stripes that surround the window... The size is about 3/4 inch X 1 inch...

Can it be a easy fix to do in myself? or Do I have to go to detail shop?
If it is fairly easy, what should be careful? and what to look for?

Thank you for your help in advance.

butnut

That's a pretty big rust spot. Was it small and you just let it go? Unless you know how to do body and paint work, it should go to a shop, paint shop not detail. Rust is like cancer. It spreads fast. Fix it soon or more of your door will be eaten away. Tiny paint chips on the hood or roof turn to rust-spiders if bare metal is exposed. Good luck.
butnut

Mustang351

Strange! I have a couple of very tiny rust spots in the exact same place! They are pinhole size rust spots on our '96 SR5 and they are right next to the window weather stripping on the rear drivers door. I haven't seen any rust spots anywhere else on the vehicle. Wierd. Anybody else have this problem? Maybe it's more common than we think?

UKMyers

I've got one too on the drivers side rear door right next to window frame. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

HBoss

I would suggest:

Clean it, dry it, tape off the black area, sand the rust out, clean it again, double-check your tape is still intact or re-tape, spray on a rust inhibitor, let dry, touch up paint. Check it again in a year but it will most likely be fine, unless it is rusting from the inside out...

Al

butnut

That's a prettty big rust bubble. You need to go at it like a dentist does cavities. A Dremel works best for that stuff. Use a thin grinding stone type of bit. ALL the rust need to be grinded out. Hopefully there won't be a hole. If there is, it really needs body shop attention. You could Mickey Mouse it with a little Bondo ...if it's not a hole, just make sure the rust is removed and use a rust converter. Extend is a type that turns black and prevents re-rusting. There are a lot of other simular products. Just brush it on...let dry and paint. I'd check under that rubber, might have some under there. Good luck. I advise a weekly check for rock chips...when you wash your trucks. A deep chip (to the primer or metal) will eventually turn to rust. Clean it with a Qtip and alcohol and dab a little touch up paint. Prevention is key to preventing rust.
butnut