Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams?

Posted By: dg_dodge

Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 12:32 AM

Hey Guys,
I always thought this patch of bubbles right below the door jamb on my Bee was rust. I showed it to body guy yesterday. He thinks it might not be rust, but instead it is (brass?) seams that are bubbling up... (I didn't quite understand what this meant..).

Anyway, he said this would be a little better news than if it was rust -- which would require a metal patch. It sounded like this one could just be ground down?

Have you guys ever experienced bubbles right here and how did you end up dealing with it?

Thanks!

Attached picture 4619548-seam.jpg

Posted By: cyphre666

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 12:37 AM

If it is not rust. It is getting moisture under the paint.
I would say grind it down and put a coat of fiberglass to seal the metal.
Then you can refinish it.

Posted By: Neil

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 12:42 AM

There is a leaded joint in that spot. Lead doesn't rust, but can fall off. I'd take the paint off and keep digging until you get to the cause.

I have a feeling you will need to replace the area with lead or weld it solid and grind it flush.

Posted By: nutso suave

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 12:47 AM

my car has the same thing on one side...

Posted By: Kingy

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 01:30 AM

Like Neil said that is a solder sealed seam (say that three times fast) heat it up and use a putty knife or wire brush to clean that stuff off don't sand or grind it or you'll be making potholders before you know it..

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 01:56 AM

Quote:

Hey Guys,
I always thought this patch of bubbles right below the door jamb on my Bee was rust. I showed it to body guy yesterday. He thinks it might not be rust, but instead it is (brass?) seams that are bubbling up... (I didn't quite understand what this meant..).

Anyway, he said this would be a little better news than if it was rust -- which would require a metal patch. It sounded like this one could just be ground down?

Have you guys ever experienced bubbles right here and how did you end up dealing with it?

Thanks!

Assuming it's original metal in that area, most likely it's either filler turning loose that someone wiped on top of the lead joint, or rust under the lead, pushing it outward. Filler will give some when pushed.
I've seen both in the past. If you are willing, stick the tip of a pocket knife into it and pick the paint off. If it's soft and silver, you have rust under it.

Steve

www.clarkclassic.com

Posted By: jcc

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 06:48 AM

But isn't the bottom line here is water/moisture is somehow getting thru or behind the paint to/thru the metal, and if that is not stopped any repair will only be temporary?

Posted By: RestoRick

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 11:53 AM

Pretty much the same amount of work no matter what the cause by what I'm seeing.

It'll have to go to bare clean metal and address what is or isn't there.
On the original seam it was leaded over an open spot welded lap joint. In harsh exposure over time moisture finds it's way through the seam under the lead and creates rust.
Best way to fix it(IMHO), is to remove the factory lead, clean up any rust, weld the seam solid, then re-lead it.

In this case you may even find hole(s) in the underlying metal that will require a metalpatch.

Rick

Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: Question for Body Guys: Bubbling at Seams? - 08/15/08 02:14 PM

Quote:

But isn't the bottom line here is water/moisture is somehow getting thru or behind the paint to/thru the metal, and if that is not stopped any repair will only be temporary?

Moisture (rain, washing car) gets there by way of the 1/4 window. It gets past the window sweep and runs down into the 1/4. That's why the factory formed drain openings in the lower 1/4 pinch welds.