I finally messed up a quarter panel repair by not checking for rust

I thought I could just patch a small dent on the quarter panel without inspecting underneath. Turned out there was hidden rust that spread after I painted it. Now the customer is back with bubbling paint, and I have to strip it all down. Do you always drill test holes for rust even on minor jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan9154mo ago

Hidden rust" is the car's way of saying "gotcha.

nathan2824mo ago

Learned that lesson with a rocker panel last year.

mark_smith594mo ago

Remember exactly what went wrong with that repair? Those rust spots can be super sneaky if you don't treat them fully. Always ends up costing more later, total pain.