Repairing rust spots
 

Could anyone tell me, roughly, how much it would cost to repair the following rust spots? It's a car I might buy, so I can't take it in to a body shop and get an estimate just yet.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pictures/left_door.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pict..._door_back.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pict...ft_quarter.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1702713/Pict...ht_quarter.jpg

Sand it down and hope its just surface rust/bubbles.

If it is just surface rust get rid of it and maybe an inch around it or so.

Sand down - kill rust.
Wipe down with a cloth apply alcohol, then wipe off with a cloth that leaves no residue.

Proceed to prime it, 3 coats of whatever, then sand lightly the prime, wipe down again etc, apply color match paint of the body, then clear coat it, call it a day.

Based on the year of the car and what a quality shop would charge to fix it, it isn't worth fixing through a shop. You could get the shop to just duraglass over any rust holes but it will not last too long and would honestly be a waste of money. Shop's will do the repair anyway you want it done but will not warranty any of the work.

Right quarter isn't too bad, maybe 1.5 hrs repair plus paint
Left quarter looks rotted through. maybe 2.5-3 hours repair plus paint.
Save some money and find a used front door then paint.

Those are ballpark times based on grinding it down and fiberglassing right over any holes in the metal. Paint materials and labor are where you will probably decide not to fix it.

Based on what the picture shows I would guess that this car came into BC from the snowbelt back east where they use salt, lots of it, on the roads. Chances are there is a lot more not showing underneath, in wheel wells and in chassis areas etc. Once the stuff starts the only way to treat it is to cut the rust out and replace with new metal...if you want to keep the car. You will never stop it unless the metal is 100% rust free when you begin to repair it. If it's just a junker then body fill over it and go for it.

Honestly from personal experience.. just don't waste money on buying a cheaper rusty car. It's not worth it.