1999 Mercury Cougar Rust Removal

You'll have rust coming through again in a year. I spent six weeks doing what you want to do, then my buddy redid everything in three hours. How much is YOUR time worth. We also have a lot better products than when I attempted this 20 years ago.

You'll need a primer that etches into the metal to stop rust. You'll need a sealer, fiberglass body filler, a wire feed welder, paint spray gun, air compressor, sanders and sandpaper. You can't buy most of the paints and chemicals in small enough quantities for this type of job so you'll be throwing out over half of the products. At over $400.00 a gallon just for paint, who wants to throw half of it away? In my area the supply stores won't even sell paint and primer to anyone other than a body shop.

You'll need replacement panels or sheet metal and bending tools. Body shops already have all the equipment and tools, and they only use and charge you for the amount of products they use. They also know the best ones to use and how to apply them and do the proper surface prep. You'll be money ahead letting the professionals do the job. I'm working with a friend right now in his body shop and there's no way I can learn in a few months the experience he has gained from doing this for 25 years.