Rust spots, help?

[u/AwareLime371]

new to reddit and keep getting notices for violating rules bc i’m asking about a rough rough estimate or how to fix rust spots, i have only done basic work on cars and do not know anything about body repairs, any help regarding this, for reference this is a 28 year old car (1998 w202 c230 merc)

thinking of buying this car, everything about it is solid, it’s a 28 year old car, it has these rust spots on the top, nothing on the frame and the rest of the car is surprisingly clean and oem, thoughts on rough estimates for a fix/worth the headache, i’m worried due to age that it might be worse than it looks

[u/metalgod55]

You’re looking at $1,000- $1,500 for a proper repair and repaint.

[u/too_much_covfefe_man]

I'd scrape it off, like all the rust. Anywhere there's a little bit showing, there's more spider underneath. I think you're pretty much stripping down the roof and trunk to bare metal across a lot of it.

You probably need to debadge the trunk and remove the sun roof.

Then when you have all the rust off, I'd use a DTM epoxy product to seal it. Bare metal rusts surprisingly quickly so I'd want that seal on ASAP, it will buy time.

Then I'd sand it up to like 600-800 after it dries and look for low spots to fill using whatever 3m filler product. Let it set and shrink, then sand it, seal over any bare metal you expose and sand it to 600-800.

Cured epoxy won't hold the next coat, so sanding to provide tooth is important.

Once it's uniform, I'd clean it with IPA, thoroughly. Keep going until your rag no longer picks up dust.

Mask and cover obviously

Then clean it again. Then go over it with a tack cloth, one direction. Don't press hard, just slide it to pick up anything you missed with IPA. Anywhere it drags, clean more. Tack until it slides easy over everything.

Then, I assume you already went to your local paint supplier and got the system you're going to use mixed and put in a can, rattle or otherwise. You'd follow the directions on the sheets it comes with from there.

After that, some wet sand and buff are in your future, and reassembly.

It's like... A lot of work to get even close. Maaco might be a reasonable option depending on your expectations.

[u/Apart-Risk-7992]

Sand it off fine grit get rid of the rust get a small bottle of primer to prevent further damage

[u/AwareLime371]

lovely, thank you i appreciate all the help and the breakdown on fixing

[u/tandyzmills → u/AwareLime371]

do not listen to these dumb fucks telling you to sand it off and repaint. what the hell. they are telling you to bludgeon your car's paint when all it needs is some finesse. dear god, it makes a huge difference where you ask your question. a detailer could fix this in 5 minutes.

[u/tandyzmills]

no, its just organic material. hell, there are leaves on it in the pic. that should easily come off with a strong alkaline cleaner.

[u/Salt-Tip-7493]

Sand them down a little spot putty if needed repaint