Windshield frame rust - Expert advice needed

[dabeefcake]

So, i decided to get in way over my head with my rebuild... but in the process needed to replace a broken driver side door hinge. so i remove the dash pad and of course find another problem ... rust on the windshield frame. i just took some quick shots of the areas. the passenger side feels pretty strong. more cosmetic than structural i hope. the driver side i can kinda push my finger through a bit in the really bad area.

can someone give me a psudo-diagonsis. is this a "big problem"? can clean them up, protect and keep from further rusting? perhaps just weld in a doubler or something to put some strength back into the area, or is this going to be a major repair deal that i absolutly have to have???

much appreciated

B

 

[huk_finn]

somebody makes replacement sections,,, (cant think of the company). Guess you cut out the bad and weld in the new .
If you think thats the route you want to go,,, I'll find the web site

 

[Twin_Turbo]

zip has birdcage replacement parts. Hard to see from the pics but is it serious rust or surface rust???

 

[dabeefcake]

i am not sure i can assess "serious" vs "non-Serious". the passenger side feels strong. when i grab it and push on it, its not flaking rust or anything. one area on the Driver side it is flaking and it feels like if i work on it i could rip a few square inches off with my fingers... i know its not fair to ask someone to diagnois on line like this, but anything will help.

thanks!

 

[Fred's Vettes]

Most of your catalogs have the corners and every other windshield frame pieces that you can weld in. I've bought pieces from Doc Rebuild,Paragon and Bairs. If you need them call around to see who has them in stock.

 

[howard]

Bang around on it with the pointy end of a body hammer, you will find out pretty quick if it is serious or not...if it is time for some cutting and welding.:ugh

 

[GaryS]

"is it serious rust or surface rust???"

Well, he did say he could poke his finger THROUGH the rusted spots. In my book, that is serious.

Gary

 

[jdp6000]

It doesn't seem to bad to me. I've seen worse. Clean it up.

Jim

 

[dabeefcake]

i love this site... my first reaction was "ive seen worse" too... but then i really haven't. and im not counting what i see at junkyards. i am definately going to clean up the passenger side. i'll take a look at those replacement parts for the driver side and see how invasive the repair will be.

thank you all for your $.02

 

[Evolution1980]

You might find some relavent information in this simliar post in the C3 Technical forum here...

Here's the Link

 

[jdp6000]

i love this site... my first reaction was "ive seen worse" too... but then i really haven't. and im not counting what i see at junkyards. i am definately going to clean up the passenger side. i'll take a look at those replacement parts for the driver side and see how invasive the repair will be.

thank you all for your $.02

I see mostly green metal. I've seen frames replaced with worse then what you have. The key is structural integrity. If its solid where the window sits on the frame and solid where the frame attaches to the door area then don't cut it out. Stop the rust. Patch the bad area.

I'll tell you how bad mine was on my 77 years ago. I jacked the car up and the window broke. I went in to get the window replaced and the entire frame broke off with the window. The metal was so badly rusted it crumbled...basically turned to dust. $2,000 later....20 years ago....I had half a new frame. Nothing ever fit right again.

Jim

 

[Space Cowboy]

Once you clean it up, you can use some POR-15, and that will cease the rust.

 

[Rich80]

I just found some rust on my inside door frame.... Just ordered the por 15!!!