DAE get annoyed when shops skip the weld-through primer on quarter panel patches?

I saw a car come in last week for a rust fix on a repair we did six months ago, and the new metal was already showing surface rust under the paint because the other shop didn't prime the back of the weld area. It's such a basic step that saves so much headache down the line. How do you guys make sure that step doesn't get missed when things get busy?

2 comments

2 Comments

singh.cole6d ago

Honestly, calling it a "basic step" is where I disagree. On a daily driver repair, that extra prep and spray adds real time and cost for a spot nobody will ever see again. If the front gets a good coat of epoxy and the seam sealer is done right, it's sealed from the elements anyway. Chasing every square inch of hidden metal for perfect corrosion proofing is overkill for most cars that'll get traded in before it matters.

hugo_ellis6d ago

Wait, you're not coating the backside at all? That's how you get a rust bubble right next to your perfect repair in two years, @singh.cole. Moisture gets in from the edges no matter how good your seam sealer is. Skipping it just saves a problem for the next owner.