Boot Has Been Leaking For Ages. It's Now Rusting :(

[KrazyKong]

My boot has had a leak for a long time now, probably a couple of years, but I've kind of avoided dealing with it. Now though I'm worried I should have done something sooner as there is visible rust as seen in these pictures.

It's clear I need to do something about it now and or take it someplace. The problem is I can't work out how the water leaks into the boot as the outside seals look ok to me. But I'm not an expert and actually feel like an idiot for putting this off for so long. I hope it doesn't come back to bite me here.

The leak is on the right side of my boot and seems to be coming from two places. The first is from the boot and the second is around the right brake light.

I'd like to ask advice on what to do. What products to get here. It seems I have to seal the leak, then treat, coat or seal in the rust. But if I need to take it to a proper place, I will. Just don't know what to do as it's why I've let this drag on for so long now.

[ZacZerbst]

the water will be coming in around the tail lights. they have probably been removed at some stage and havent been resealed. i have had the same problem. although i fixed it before this stage. i used a product called stick a flex i think it was. hasnt leaked since. sorry cant really help with the rust issue. how thick is the rust because if its only surface rust you could just sand it back and apply some paint

[KrazyKong]

Ok that's a good tip at least for me to see if there's anything happening around the lights. Not sure how thick the rust is but it doesn't look like just some surface stuff.

[Hadouken]

Put some rust converter on that bitch!

[ARTZ]

Rust in body seams is a bitch..if u have a drill buy a small wire brush attachment and clean out as much of the brown as you, take it back to metal if you have to..

Then get a product called rust converter and soak it,let it dry. Soak it again making sure it gets right down in the seams..its pretty toxic stuff so watch where it leaks..

Let it dry for a good week or so..wipe it clean then spray over it with fishoil, let dry for another week or so then paint..any paint will do really..killrust is just a brand Name, it doesn't actually killrust..

All this stuff is available at supercheap/bunnings etc..

But most importantly before you do any of the above

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FIXED THE LEAK!!!!

Water usually comes in around tailights and windscreens, sometimes rust holes fan form under hoot seals and leak there too..

[Missileman]

Rust converter does nothing on bare metal, if you hit it with a wire brush back to metal you need to etch prime it then paint it. As for the leak, you need to use the correct goop, the stuff that does not set, so if you need to remove the tail light assembly some time in the future, it is not glued in place. Ask at a place that does automotive glass.

[Nanogrip]

If you are leaking from the boot rails, clean it as best as you can and remove as much rust as you can. Then use a leak stopper for windshields, it is a thin silicone liquid and will seep into small cracks or openings. You definitely need something else for the tail light assembly.

Zinc coating is excellent for preventing rust.

[conan7772]

If the boot has been removed it could be leaking through the hinge bolts.

Especially if you're parked facing downhill, the gutter can't drain.

Doesn't hurt to get a colour matched Sikaflex and smear them neatly.

Process of elimination.

[ARTZ]

Rust converter does nothing on bare metal, if you hit it with a wire brush back to metal you need to etch prime it then paint it. As for the leak, you need to use the correct goop, the stuff that does not set, so if you need to remove the tail light assembly some time in the future, it is not glued in place. Ask at a place that does automotive glass.

Yes rust converter does nothing on bare metal,but he would of figured that out when he read the instructions on the bottle. What it is good for is getting into the seam to fix the rust you can't get to with a wire brush.