Author Topic: Rust in drivers floor panel  (Read 2326 times)

Green68MB

  • Associate Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, NC, Taylorsville
  • Posts: 21
Rust in drivers floor panel
« on: October 06, 2020, 20:57:59 »
I have some rust exactly at the point the accelerator pedal mount meets the floor panel.  Would one suggest that  a body shop  cut and weld in some new metal to prevent further rust or would a  KK MFg panel   be the better  resolution.  I have read that  some  owners felt the KKMfg panels  needed further adjustment?  Thanks

RobSirg

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Melbourne
  • Posts: 568
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2020, 03:05:42 »
That would have to be the most common rust location in all the Pagoda's I have seen.

If that is all you have you can indeed count your blessings.

For that location  - I would find a decent panel shop who is not afraid and have them cut it out and weld in a new piece of metal (no need to by a floor pan).

p.s - Be prepared for some panel shops to turn you away the minute you mention rust. Some have had bad experiences and don't want to touch it.

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Cees Klumper

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Fallbrook
  • Posts: 5700
    • http://SL113.org
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2020, 03:37:11 »
Funny I just started to tackle this area myself this afternoon .... on my Lancia Fulvia. Same spot rust, a bit larger. You can see where I started welding in the first repair piece I made. Once the front is done, I will make a floor section complete with ridges, from 19 gauge steel.

So if I can do something like this, this being my first ever experience welding and fabricating repair panels, so should any body shop ....

Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

RobSirg

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Melbourne
  • Posts: 568
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2020, 12:41:20 »
Ah rust.

Invented by Germans……..perfected by Italians! :)
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Mike Hughes

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, VA, Blue Grass
  • Posts: 1748
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2020, 13:42:55 »
Ah rust.

Invented by Germans……..perfected by Italians! :)

. . . rendered traditional by the British and romantic by the French!  ;^)
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

stickandrudderman

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Richmond
  • Posts: 2914
    • http://www.colinferns.com
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2020, 15:36:38 »
So if I can do something like this, this being my first ever experience welding and fabricating repair panels, so should any body shop ....
It's not just a question of whether they can. It's more a question of can they make any money doing it. Every experienced body guy knows that once you start repairing a rusty panel the chances of more work being required than was anticipated are really high. Most just don't want the aggravation; it plays havoc with workshop loading.

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7410
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2020, 19:26:55 »
I would get the pre-made panel from K&K, even if you do not use the whole panel. The person doing the repair work can cut out the sections that they need. You will save labor cost of making the parts from scratch. In addition, the pre-made panels are correct in all the details and have a coating of zinc on both sides, making them more rust resistant than the originals.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Green68MB

  • Associate Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, NC, Taylorsville
  • Posts: 21
Re: Rust in drivers floor panel
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2020, 23:32:50 »
Thanks to all who replied,  I do believe I can find capable  and reasonable  worksmith, yet I see the merit in picking up the precut panel have it cut to fit and save the rest.    Spare parts are always a plus.