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A-Pillar Problems

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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 01:42 PM
  #1  
racerx520's Avatar
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A-Pillar Problems

anyone here ever have any issues with rust on the A-pillar? I have repainted mine about 4 times, the first two i got a little discoloration after about a year or so, then i noticed a little rust bubble under the paint. I repainted it about 2 years ago, i stripped the paint down to the metal, again. This time i sanded any little bit of rust and covered it up with rustoleum "rust proofing" paint. Then i painted back over, although i got a little fish eye out of it so i had to sand the rustoleum down to almost nothing. The past year i noticed the paint bubbling up again. I'm thinking of just bringing it somewhere, although i dont really want to. anyone have any suggestions or similar problems?
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Old Nov 4, 2013 | 01:45 PM
  #2  
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From: Florida
Car: 87 IROC-Z, 82 Pace Car
Re: A-Pillar Problems

yeah, stop using Rustoleum paint on your car!
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 01:38 AM
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Re: A-Pillar Problems

Originally Posted by scottmoyer
yeah, stop using Rustoleum paint on your car!
thanks
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 08:04 AM
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From: Lexington, SC
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: A-Pillar Problems

Sand the rust off, use a rust converter, clean it well and cover it first with an epoxy primer. A rust converter with tannic acid will work and most can be painted over.

'Course success depends on how much rust there actually is...
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 09:37 AM
  #5  
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From: Texas
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: Swapped LS6 Forged by LME
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: A-Pillar Problems

Right there with ya racerx520. I need to find out the best way to deal with this issue myself. Not to Hijack your thread. I would like to know a proper procedure to deal with this.






The body shop looked at it and said I would need a new frame???????????
Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Last edited by jazzdadss; Nov 5, 2013 at 09:39 AM. Reason: pic add
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 09:52 AM
  #6  
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From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: A-Pillar Problems

I'm dealing with this as well, but not as bad as Jazz's.

I'm having a body shop strip and paint my car in the spring as long as my swap stays on pace.

They will be removing the windshield to do the job. If your windshield moulding is as rock hard as mine, it's not sealing anything out either, so it needs to be replaced.
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 09:58 AM
  #7  
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From: Texas
Car: 1989 IROC LSX
Engine: Swapped LS6 Forged by LME
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: A-Pillar Problems

The windshield needs replacing, There is a crack directly in my view. I just don't have the money at this time to paint the entire car after the LS swap. I can't just replace the windshield with this going on. I am looking for pointers to deal with this in a timely manor as with the windshield out it wont be too comfy driving it with bugs in my teeth while doing body work.
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
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Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH350 for now
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: A-Pillar Problems

There is foam on the inside of the pillar near (beside) the base of the windshield. It traps moisture against the metal and causes it to rust out here. If you clean it up on top only it will just come right back.

You need to cut it out, remove the foam, make a new patch, weld it in, body filler, prime, paint.... I also sprayed chassis saver all inside the pillar afterwards (with a rigged wand sprayer).
Attached Thumbnails A-Pillar Problems-imag0462.jpg   A-Pillar Problems-image019.jpg  
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 12:46 PM
  #9  
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Re: A-Pillar Problems

Thanks for the advice guys...I agree the best way to fix it would probably be to pull the windshield and cut out the metal, unfortunately i dont have the skills to do that myself. I can do welding, and minor fabrication, but i think the A-pillar is a little out of my league. my windshield has a crack in it already so it needs replacing anyway. With my 350 tpi swap, i just wish i had more money available to send this to a place lol
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Old Nov 6, 2013 | 12:04 AM
  #10  
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Re: A-Pillar Problems

i guess before i bring it someplace, i'll get a wire wheel for my angle grinder, pull off the paint there and give it a little tap with a body work hammer to see if its rusted through, if its not, maybe i'll just take a mig welder and tack some spots right there and grind them down and put some POR15 on it?
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Old Nov 6, 2013 | 12:06 AM
  #11  
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Re: A-Pillar Problems

Originally Posted by nosajwols
There is foam on the inside of the pillar near (beside) the base of the windshield. It traps moisture against the metal and causes it to rust out here. If you clean it up on top only it will just come right back.

You need to cut it out, remove the foam, make a new patch, weld it in, body filler, prime, paint.... I also sprayed chassis saver all inside the pillar afterwards (with a rigged wand sprayer).
my problem spot is right at the top center of the a-pillar. i think in order to solve my t-top leaking through the center bar problem when i was 18 was to put 'great stuff' foam up there, which probably isnt helping lol.
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