Just curious (sorry this is off-topic but it isn't related to my max.) It is in regards to the '88 BMW 528e my girlfriend just got for free.. there is some rust that I'd like to address. Most of it I can handle with some sanding/grinding and bondo etc but there are some bad spots.

For example, on the hood there is a bubble near the front lip that is about 1.5" in diameter that has rusted (bubbled) all the way through top to bottom, however hasnt left a hole... but will if I grind it out. To repair this type of rust, what is the best approach?

What I was thinking is .. grind out all the rust, lay down a layer of fiberglass to cover the hole and create something substantial to apply bondo on (fiberglass from both top and bottom I would assume,) bondo and sand flat?

Who knows, maybe the max will need such attention in 10 years (I plan to keep her running forever!)


Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but no one looks in off-topic forums, and detailing is all about washing and waxing so... here I am!

 

The best thing to do would be to cut out the rusted piece and weld on a new piece of sheet metal.

 

I know but that option isnt really viable ... there's enough to be done that I need to do it myself rather then pay someone to do some welding, and the car isn't worth enough to be paying someone else to do it. Do you think the fiberglass/bondo would work? I have plenty of experience applying fiberglass and smoothing it out from working on sailboats.

 

If you're not going to bother having a decent job done and the car was free forget about it and save your energy on ensuring the vehicle is mechanically sound if it isn't already.

 

Ask this is in the other cars forums.

Proph