It is definitely true that they can put a better finish on the car than you can. But, that is the last step. They probably don't want to sit there sanding/grinding so they may give you some advice about what to cover your DIY repair with so that you can bring it in for them to paint over.

The bead blaster is easy but messy. It does not go thru masking tape and is "gentle" as far as abrasives go on good paint. The surface rust will come right off. If you find any layers of separating metal, try a flap disc on an angle grinder.

Look INSIDE the door too! Make sure the drain holes are clear.

--
Ken Fister - Charlottesville, Virginia USA
97 328i, 95 540i, 97 Hino truck
bmwecu.org

• Door Bottom Rust Repair-- Any advice? - Eric Clark 2008-04-24 17:22:04 (151 views)
  • Repair detail (pic) - kfister 2008-04-27 01:19:57 (166 views)
  • This is what I did - 525i 2008-04-26 23:51:27 (105 views)
  • Re: Door Bottom Rust Repair-- Any advice? - daveinmiami 2008-04-25 13:46:40 (112 views)
  • How much work do you want to do? Any holes? - kfister 2008-04-24 21:50:40 (108 views)
    • The rust is new - Eric Clark 2008-04-25 16:01:33 (74 views)
      • Re: The rust is new - kfister 2008-04-25 17:05:16 (72 views)
        • Re: The rust is new - Eric Clark 2008-04-25 19:21:42 (73 views)
          • Same thing different media - kfister 2008-04-25 21:50:28 (65 views)
    • Re: How much work do you want to do? Any holes? - cloudnine 2008-04-25 10:36:19 (77 views)
    • Hey! I'm Oxford green too! - e34jef 2008-04-25 08:01:26 (71 views)
      • I am planning on painting the whole car next year - kfister 2008-04-25 12:20:19 (75 views)
  • Re: Door Bottom Rust Repair-- Any advice? - yaofeng 2008-04-24 19:14:31 (85 views)
    • Re: Door Bottom Rust Repair-- Any advice? - zorrow 2008-07-30 16:37:10 (32 views)
    • did that 4 years ago and still o.k. - shogun 2008-04-24 21:44:32 (92 views)
      • did similar on underside of sunroof - russell36 2008-04-25 08:59:07 (74 views)