Date:         Mon, 20 Sep 2004 20:55:01 -0500
Reply-To:     James Fritz <jfritz@ALPINECOM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         James Fritz <jfritz@ALPINECOM.NET>
Subject:      rust under slider door track
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Volks,
My 89 is an otherwise rust free vehicle.  However, I've got a huge
problem to be addressed in that I have significant rust that formed
under the track for the sliding door.  I never noticed early on because
it was under the cover panel for the door track.  Finally I happened to
notice a rusty streak running down the outside of my paint job.  Within
weeks it started to bubble up the seam.  I took off the interior trim
panel and sure enough, lots of rust on the inside.  It had gotten so
bad under the door slider track that there are pinholes through the
sheet metal.  I imagine every time I washed it I got that fiberglass
insulation wet and it just kept going.

I'm going to attack it this winter (hopefully), grind it down, POR15 or
some equivalent, prime, paint and hopefully get it by until I can
afford to have somebody who really knows what they're doing make it all
pretty again.

Anyway, my question:  How many of you have seen rust under the sliding
door track?  Seems like a very bizarre place for rust to start.  One
caveat:  I bought it from a guy in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Maybe its
ocean salt???  Sure doesn't get that anymore here in Iowa!  I garage it
every winter.

Thanks!

Jim in Iowa
89 Westy GL
91 Passat Wagon GL
66 Beetle