Uuuuh, does anyone else drain their doors?

[JD]

- Both doors have rust in the popular place at the very bottom, due to owners not draining them regularly. This is the only rust on the car.

Have I missed something?

EDIT: "For Sale Ad" Link removed by IMOC Moderation Team

[synXero]

As far as I am aware there is nothing at all you can do about stopping the doors rusting. I've certainly never heard of draining them. They do have small round drain holes but how you'd remove the fluid I do not know. Short of maybe a dehumidifier in the garage.

[JD]

Only problem with rust on doors I've seen is on the bottom corner/edge where clumsy passengers have dragged them on high curbs

[acf8181]

Only problem with rust on doors I've seen is on the bottom corner/edge where clumsy passengers have dragged them on high curbs

take door card off and look inside at the bottom.....i bet you find some rust! i know mine has, so kurust'ed and dynax'ed in there

[JD]

Okay might well do that, cheers. I'll get in there with the dremel if I find anything and sort it out. I may as well do a window alignment while I have the cards off, too.

[Rob]

You can't avoid the rust, it has nothing to do with the drains.

Basically the outer skin folds around the inner door skin and is sealed with seam sealer. Water collects on the seam sealer and when that eventually fails the water gets in and rots from the inside of the 2 folds.

Cavity wax is better than nothing but keep an eye out for failed seam sealer.

[danjama]

That's my ad and yes it is a common issue on our cars.

Thanks for the thread though, good info here

That's a good point about the corner edges, my NA had that, luckily my turbo does not.

[RazzyRascal]

Ha, I have to 'drain' my ns door as water collects in the rubber trim at the bottom. I've heard the little drainage channels along the top can block, however I've never looked myself.

[JD]

That's my ad and yes it is a common issue on our cars.

Thanks for the thread though, good info here

That's a good point about the corner edges, my NA had that, luckily my turbo does not.

small world

GLWS

[rev3gtturbo]

You can't avoid the rust, it has nothing to do with the drains.

Basically the outer skin folds around the inner door skin and is sealed with seam sealer. Water collects on the seam sealer and when that eventually fails the water gets in and rots from the inside of the 2 folds.

Cavity wax is better than nothing but keep an eye out for failed seam sealer.

What does failed seam sealer look like?

I don't know anything about car bodywork design/manufacture but for some reason I imagined the 2 folds would have been welded and the drain holes let any water out if the holes don't get blocked.

As road dirt/mud can accumulate on the 2 folds it would also hold moisture against the metal making it easier to rust?

So when I wash my car I also go over the 2 folds (and rubber door seals) with the sponge. I guessed that if they can get wet by driving in the rain, then keeping them clean with a bit of wax protection might help.
I don't know if it helps, but I have been doing this for about 14 years with MR2s and not had door rust.