Expert: Mike Potter - 3/21/2008

Question
I want to repair rust and preserve my 1995 Chevy Blazer. 114,000 miles on it.
What is the best, cost-effective way to do that? Rust is on bottom of driver side
door and below that on frame. I don't know why I have to replace the whole door
.. suggestion by auto body guy.

Answer
You can buy after market pars cheap, it does not make sense welding patches on some parts. Fiber glass and plastic body filler do not last very long unless you treat the back side very well like soaking with a mixture of motor oil and a paraffin based rust proofing material.
If you have spots coming though now and you stay on top of them, it will be expensive, but you keep a nice car. Once they start, they will keep coming unless you soak all the lower inside panels with something that will slow it down. Normal rust proofing will just lay on top the rust, old oil will soak into it.