B Pillar Rust Help - PICS

[rebelgregory]

Maybe a question for the 'bodyshop', but was hoping to get the experience and traffic of the 'garage'.

I'm prepping my blazer for interior bedliner and exterior paint. That said, I've got to sort out some relatively (compared to other rigs on here) minor rust. I've got a spot on the B pillar exterior even with the bottom of the fiberglass top that has rusted through and seems to have leaked water into the inside and has rusted the floor and begun on the rocker. The floor seems easy enough to handle, but I want to fix the B Pillar so that I don't have to worry about it in the future. As best I can tell, I'm going to have to cut a window on the interior side, find the extent of the rust, sandblast it, zinc and coat it, and weld the window back in.

My questions are, has anyone repaired a similar spot? What's the best way to cut a window in the back of the B-Pillar? What does the structure look like behind it? Pics would be great.

Pics of my 'situation':

 

[sweetk30]

never played with a blazer body.

but my time living and working in the rust belt i can tell your NOT going to like whats hidding under the paint thats not poped off yet.

be prepared to work .

and best if you can fix it to just dive in . only way to find out just how bad it is.

 

[rebelgregory]

Well, I know there's rust back there...so there's that. I'm prepared to work and have the tools to do it, but the pillar is gonna be a little more complicated than floor panels. What I'm really looking for, ideally, is a photo where someone has already cut away the inside so I can see what it looks like in there. I want to cut away enough to address the issue, but no more than I have to considering it is structural. I'm going to peel it open tomorrow and leave the top on for now for stability, but it will probably need to come off once the sand starts flying.

 

[jt512]

I think I have a pic in my K5 build of when I cut the top off (going full vert) that may at least show how the layers are......I'll try and find it

 

[jt512]

Here, see if this helps http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252851&page=10. Post 97 1st pic and the 6th pic.

I still haven't finished capping the drivers side so if you want more pics let me know, I also still have the top I cut off, so I can get pics of that as well if you need them.

 

[sweetk30]

try this direct link and scroll to pic #6 http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2609728&postcount=97

fyi if you ever wana direct link a post just click the post # and 1 post page only window will open . then copy that link and post as i did.

 

[rebelgregory]

Thanks! this helps. I did a lot of keyword searches and came up with nothing useful. A picture of the inside filet'd open like a fish would be ideal but haven't found it yet. There may be one on here after today though.

 

[ryoken]

the only one i have of the b with a qrter off.

 

[rebelgregory]

Good news and bad news....
Cut a window between the seat belt bolts to look inside. It's clean...which tells me that rust was is isolated between the pillar and outer skin. I also took a picture of the captured nut for the door striker, just because I've seen people ask about it, but never seen it.

 

[rebelgregory]

I seem to remember another epic thread (Chief Brody) that started out "I've got this little spot on my quarterpanel"....

 

[sweetk30]

I seem to remember another epic thread (Chief Brody) that started out "I've got this little spot on my quarterpanel"....

my 2wd quick re do truck turned in to a frame off resto mod . check my link below in sig line.

 

[rebelgregory]

Nice build. Hopefully mine won't go that far. All the mechanical is where I want it, but I've been tinkering on it for 10 years.

I'm debating removing entire quarter or just cut front section near the door. We'll see. For now, I'm going to weld the window back in, sandblast rust spots (seem surface-only) in the floor and go ahead and spray the liner in. I can then put that behind me and focus on exterior body and paint.

 

[sweetk30]

from recent experience do the paint / coating last. rust will pop up more as you look harder.

figured i needed 1 patch in my replacement box. 3 later and over 30 bolt holes welded shut and still got to weld a few cracks. finish work is last after all prep / fix work i say .

 

[rebelgregory]

I don't disagree, and that may very well be what happens depending on what is found after blasting.

Put the top in storage today for what will hopefully only be a few months. Got a good look at my outside rust 'spot'. Looks like there is a gap behind the quarter in the wheel well where water/mud has wedged itself between the B pillar and the back side of the quarter panel near the door spot welds. Really kinda scared of what's lurking back there.

Hopefully unnecessary question: who sells the best quality quarters? lmc? calssicparts?

 

[sweetk30]

you want scarry i got it for ya .

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296138

 

[rebelgregory]

Wow. I guess I should consider myself lucky. I don't know that I'd have the stomach to be a gearhead in the rust belt. Yall must be gluttons for punishment.