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Expert
Posts: 1267
  
Location: San Antonio TX | I'm getting a 57 Windsor here shortly, and one of the things I am concerned about is the infamous rust problems that haunted the 57's. Of course, there are common places (floors, trunk, wheel wells, etc...), but what are some not so obvious places that can rust out quickly? What can I do to prevent it? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| Obviously rocker, they typically went first, I don't think Chrysler sprayed the insides of rockers in 57. I used noxudol cavity wax 700 with the tube (spray them out with air first).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rust-Protection-Cavity-Wax-6-Pack-/19229770...
Eastwood sells this stuff also but you need a gun to shoot it, doesn't come with the wand.
http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-heavy-duty-anti-rust-in-amber.html
seam sealer.
I did just that this morning.
What kind of shape is the car in?
I have found many "trouble" areas in these cars. I have a 57 Dodge Royal and im sure it similar. I found a tiny hole in the water channel in the front cowl had caused the drivers floor a big hole.
I also saw that if your trim screws get brittle and break you will get leaks, I may weld "lips" around those. They drilled 4 holes to hold the front window trim right down where the water would pass in front of the window seal. If one of those is bad look out. I will probably put a wheel liner in my car also to seriously fight the issues of water on the firewall edges.
I just finished round one for my seam sealing, |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| oh wait eastwood sells a nozzle for 7$ 
http://www.eastwood.com/aerosol-nozzle-w-24-extension-hose.html
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | On the '57 model, door and trunk seams are also common for rusting, as well as the fenders behind the headlights where everything gets thrown up by the wheels. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | The "rust areas" option was very popular on Forward Looks, especially
after 1956. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9653
Location: So. Cal | I haven't seen it very much in the door seams, but the rear trunk seam is almost guaranteed on all of them. Another trouble spot is in the trenches under the front and rear windshield trim. That area in the back is hard to get to seal too. Most of the roofs were not painted on the inside so rust can develop there too if the car came from a humid area. Most likely the water would condense to the lower C-panels, and rust out there. It's weird, because none of my '57 or '58 Chrysler cars (not sure about the others) have painted inner roofs, but my '56 Plymouth does. It seems they just got cheap. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 943
| I have seen water get past the heater box on the firewall and cause rust there (that's rare) or drip down into the car, so make sure that is well sealed. By the way, that cavity wax that is on E-bay, is listed in the "oral care & toothpaste" section  |
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| As you know, be leary of the common places- floors, rockers, quarter bottoms, the "eyebrows". However, as mentioned, the worst type of rust is around the window channels, front and rear, as well as the gutters. A lack of enough sealant let water seep underneath gaskets and create issues hidden politely under the trim. If it rusts through, interior panels and ordinarily inaccessible areas become vulnerable. If it will be in a moisture-laden climate, or will spend time in the rain or snow, you can pull the window trim and add more butyl rubber. Best of luck with your new car. |
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Expert
Posts: 1267
Location: San Antonio TX | Car is in in good shape. I'll be having a closer look at it when it arrives, but it seems relatively rust free. Some rust near the rear quarters, but no holes. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on those gutters and window channels! Those sound like really tricky places to repair. I'll also be looking at the trim too since I'll likely be adding Saratoga trim to the car. |
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Rust areas
