..The Dreaded Hatch Rust...Tips/Suggestions

[Mr240dude]

Helloo again my fellow 240ers, I know this topic has been covered before. My s13 is slowly in the makes and now I'm focusing on some body work for that beloved hatch rust. Before anyone says to look for a hatch at a junkyard, that's not really an option considering I would rather keep my current hatch and secondly not many junkyards in the area (NYC) Body shops are ripping me a new ***hole qouting over $500 to rip off the spoiler and cut out the rust, patch it up etc. I know nothing of body work and was wondering can this be done with a friend? I read up on some DIY's using bondo,fiber glass,sanding etc. It doesn't have to look perfect I just want my hatch to look clean, any tips would be appreciated!

[Razi]

If you have the skills, you can patch it up at home.
But I wouldn't cut out a large patch and fill the whole thing with bondo.
It'd feel better with welding in a new piece of metal.

[asoomal]

$500 seems fine actually, body work IS expensive.

And +1 for welding in a new section.

[zacmil]

I'm kind of in the same situation, there aren't many 240s in junk yards in my area. The way I look at it, why not give it a try? The worst thing that will happen is you'll screw up, ruin your hatch, and have to buy a new one.

Weld in a new section though. Don't fill it up with bondo.

[asoomal]

You could also try to fiberglass mat it, it'll be hard cause there isn't a lot of room behind the hatch.

Then some Metal to Metal body filler.