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Tue Sep 24, 2013 4:12 pm

I have a 1970 beetle. I ordered all the stuff to fix the window scrapers

When I get the door panels off for inspection and I happen to see rust.....What should be done at that point....can I coat them with something?

Any good suggestions to do this with the doors on and without a sandblaster?

Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:58 pm

First of all , a good idea to replace those scrapers. They are important.

Hopefully you will not find a major rust problem like rust through at the bottom of the doors. This of course would need repair. A little surface rust is not necessarily uncommon. You could use some rust converter and then some rust paint.

Some owners like to use some sound proofing. Use the opportunity to lubricate the various door and window mechanisms. Remember the plastic sheet. It will help to prolong the life of the door panels.

Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:30 pm

1970VWGUY wrote: I have a 1970 beetle. I ordered all the stuff to fix the window scrapers

When I get the door panels off for inspection and I happen to see rust.....What should be done at that point....can I coat them with something?

Any good suggestions to do this with the doors on and without a sandblaster? Neutralize any rust with maybe some navel jelly, then prepare the surface with some future protection. Some people use cavity wax, others a paint like POR-15.

Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:52 pm

Be sure to unplug the drain holes in the bottom of the door. Clean out the interior/bottom, and vacuum out debris. Clear the hole so water can drain out.

Tim

Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:21 pm

wayne1230cars wrote: First of all , a good idea to replace those scrapers. They are important.

Hopefully you will not find a major rust problem like rust through at the bottom of the doors. This of course would need repair. A little surface rust is not necessarily uncommon. You could use some rust converter and then some rust paint.

Some owners like to use some sound proofing. Use the opportunity to lubricate the various door and window mechanisms. Remember the plastic sheet. It will help to prolong the life of the door panels.

I assume you mean to put some plastic on the back of the door panels?

After looking at some cheap small sandblasters I might do it and then use some epoxy paint inside the door making sure to keep the drain holes open....

Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:35 pm

Plastic goes on the door. use adhesive around the inside edge of the door panel indention.

Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:57 am

Here a photo how to use double side adhesive for the plastic. With the plastic, I made a double layer at the bottom to guide wter away to thwe inside of the door rather than trapping it between the foil and the metal (like in earlier bugs).

Furthermore I strongly recommend cavity wax after the removal of any rust and repaint and good sound proofing - with an adhesive tar mat applied, your Bug will sound rock solid again when you slam the door.

Wed Sep 25, 2013 6:09 am

"...can I coat them with something?"

Like Tim stated above, makes sure all drain holes are clear. I've added extra 1/8" drain holes on the bottom edge of my doors to be sure there can be no standing water in the doors. If you can't keep water entirely out of an area, at least make sure it can't collect. I don't use running boards, so door/water exposure inside and out is a concern of mine.

It's hard to break me of my old school ways, but nothing stops rust like inexpensive grease and oil. I take chassis grease, mix in some 30w motor oil until I have a thick pasty liquid. I then 'paint' the inside of the door with this concoction keeping the drain holes free. I do this every 3-4 years or whenever I have a reason to remove a door panel.

I don't notice any greasy/oily smells emanating from the doors. I have on lazy occasions drilled a couple of small holes in the door panel and squirted WD40 in the doors. Any rust prevention is better than no rust prevention.

Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:33 am

Plastic sheet is a must.

Here is mine that I installed.

Wed Sep 25, 2013 3:28 pm

Nice job on the plastic care to share you technique and tips....

WOW ...I HAD A MAJOR SURPRISE TODAY...

Took the door panels off and what did I see....???

NOTHING...not one speck of rust on either door...One door is original to the car the other has been replaced....both had the plastic on them....

Now for some slightly bad news...I broke off a corner of one of the panels......and some of the clips are broken and missing....good news I ordered new clips and plastic clip holders....

One of the plastic sheets was toasted....so I have to make new sheets..

Now something I discovered....The black plastic clip holders that mount in the door...were put in after the plastic was installed...so the plastic completely seals the door opening and the clip holes were made after to minumize the leakage..

I also installed some sound deadener material....The new door gaskets were a ball to remove and replace...NOT.....took 6 hours to do everything I just told you about....much more work to do when the parts arrive..

Wed Sep 25, 2013 6:55 pm

My next big question....Since there in no rust at the bottom of the doors....should I do anything to the insides or not?

Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:02 pm

I'd put some cavity wax in the bottom, make sure not to block the drains.

Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:23 am

just don't do goobers oil and grease idea if you ever plan on painting it....

Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:08 pm

I had to do some repair work on my door panel. Glue and reinforcment...I broke the corner off... : (

Here's a tip when you remove them.

Don't start at the most vulnerable spot...the area near the crank and handle...start far away and work yourself to that point...

The panels do have water marks on them and some warpage. I think when I put atll the clips back in the panel should look pretty straight....