PICS of Rear Hatch Rust Patching

[Atozone Tonine]

It all began with a cleaning... then as I started to grind away the small rust spot on the tailgate, the hole kept getting bigger.

the plastic cover was hiding a huge hole.

 

Here is how I fixed the rust holes, and rear hatch:

 

 

I cut out the areas that had rust with an angle grinder

 

I cut out matching pieces of 16 GA steel and bend to match existing

 

I painted all the parts and all around the hatch with POR-15, doing the whole cleaning and etching process

and installed NOS inner weatherstripping and the top portion of outer weatherstripping

 

Re-installed rear tail pieces, and lights

 

Then I turned my attention to the hatch hinges, which were ripping off at the seams.

 

I welded them on the top

 

And underneath

 

And that was about a weekend of work, for an amateur.