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Drilling holes into panels, how to prevent rust

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Sep1911, Feb 19, 2020.

  1. Feb 19, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #1
    Sep1911

    Sep1911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This isn't your typical post on here, but I figured if anyone knows about paint and paint products it would be here. I'm doing some modding to the truck, and I've really looked into taking other approaches but I'll have to painfully drill into a body panel. My plan is to put some self etching primer on the bare metal with a q tip, and once dry to use some Toyota touch up paint on it. I'll apply some fluid film to this area once a year as a precaution.

    I want my approach to be durable and not the source of rust and rot on the body. Any suggestions or recommendations on better methods or products are welcome!
     
    six5crèéd and Colchicine like this.
  2. Feb 20, 2020 at 8:47 AM
    #2
    BDSKJChris

    BDSKJChris Well-Known Member

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    fluid film makes a sticker grease like product, that might be a better long term solution. but you have the right idea about painting the drilled hole, just be sure to let the paint cure as much as possible before installing a fastener.
     
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  3. Feb 20, 2020 at 8:48 AM
    #3
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Shop Time

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    +1 on this ^^^^
     
  4. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #4
    Sep1911

    Sep1911 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was going to give the paint 1 day to dry, what's your recommendation?
     
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  5. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #5
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Shop Time

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    I think that is enough time, as long as it’s not really cold.
     
  6. Feb 21, 2020 at 4:23 AM
    #6
    BDSKJChris

    BDSKJChris Well-Known Member

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    if it's hot and sunny, one day might suffice. i overkill everything so i would either bake it or give it a week in warm/sunny weather. also if the hole won't be visible you could try a product like POR chassis coat black. I have used it in the past with great results and long term durability. It is what I plan to use on the bed when I drill the holes to mount bed stiffeners, followed by a healthy coat of fluid film.
     
  7. Feb 21, 2020 at 1:42 PM
    #7
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Personally, I'd prime and paint the way you described. Then I'd add a liberally applied flexible sealer (think RTV) to keep moisture away. After all of that. I'd consider Fluid Film or something similar. Living as I do in the Rust Belt, I can tell you just how deadly drilling a hole in a factory paint job can be.
     
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  8. Feb 22, 2020 at 11:36 AM
    #8
    Invid

    Invid Well-Known Member

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    When I drilled into my sheet metal for hydraulic hood struts I used Rustoleum paint and it's held up fine for five years so far.
     
  9. Feb 22, 2020 at 11:40 AM
    #9
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    Cold galvanizing paint. Let that dry then caulk in the fastener with polyurethane or butyl caulk.
     
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  10. Feb 18, 2023 at 1:21 AM
    #10
    nds0000

    nds0000 Well-Known Member

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    Got my Tacoma treated for rust prevention yesterday. Was kinda shocked that they drilled holes into my brand new Tacoma. Is that common practice? Does it impact on the structural integrity of the chassis? Any technical experience here?
     
  11. Feb 18, 2023 at 8:54 AM
    #11
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    What brand of corrosion protection did you get? Generally speaking, any decent corrosion protection process requires drilling access holes in the body (not the frame) structure in order to insert the wand that applies the product. The holes are then sealed and plugged. No, this does not affect the structural integrity of the body.
     
  12. Feb 18, 2023 at 10:13 AM
    #12
    nds0000

    nds0000 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for your response. Just puzzled why they did not take all the existing holes at the bottom of the door well (see pic). If Toyota wanted folks to drill around, why did they provide holes then?
    Hope I can still get it through German specs… they are sensitive when it comes to things like that.
    I had the rust prevention and undercoating done at Ziebart with their products.
    Thanks again for your take on structural integrity.

    F4D7242D-D808-453A-8512-6780D27C5629.jpg
     
  13. Feb 18, 2023 at 10:39 AM
    #13
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Toyota doesn't want anybody drilling holes in their structures. Truth be told, they would probably rather have your vehicle rust out - in a reasonable amount of time - so you'll buy another one. Why don't they provide holes for this purpose? Two reasons. First, only a small percentage of buyers ever get corrosion protection applied. Second, cost. Every extra operation has a cost. Like I said though, the small holes drilled for corrosion protection application do nothing to affect the structural rigidity of the body structure.

    As for why folks applying corrosion protection don't use the holes underneath the rocker panels on a Tacoma, I don't know.
     
  14. Feb 18, 2023 at 10:45 AM
    #14
    JdevTac

    JdevTac Bawnjourno

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    No reason to even drill holes in the taco body to get decent coverage. Like pointed out the holes along the rocker provide good access in addition to any blasting anyone wants to do in the few large grommets under the footwell carpet up front. Most Tacoma frames will rust out before the bodywork becomes an issue let alone any bodywork that requires drilling a new hole to spray.
     
  15. Mar 13, 2023 at 7:49 PM
    #15
    desert_gypsy

    desert_gypsy Well-Known Member

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    I would do exactly like you say and prime the bare metal before installing the fastener. You could also install the fastener wet with primer before it cures.
     
  16. Mar 29, 2023 at 6:04 AM
    #16
    nds0000

    nds0000 Well-Known Member

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    Tried to follow up with Ziebart and the Ziebart rep who drilled my rocker panels - very uncooperative! Rep sys it is company manual to drill holes and that the 9 holes at the bottom of the rocker panel are drain holes-not sure if the rust proving nozzle cares what the holes are called and what the original purpose is…. The company says that they need to drill to access the rocker panel- 9 existing holes don’t do it, but 4 drilled holes do? Cannot recommend going there! Not only poor service, but also not smart.
     
  17. Mar 29, 2023 at 3:04 PM
    #17
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Based on personal experience, Ziebart is a total rip off. Their sales staff is very, very good at twisting the truth to sell their products. Better yet, they get to twist your arm every year when you go back for your free (yea, right) resprays. I wouldn't go there again on a bet.
     

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