Friend needs help with rust problem

[messiveian]

He has a 97 grand prix Se
his side panels (the ones that run below the doors) on both sides have rusted almost completly through. it looks horrible. He was going to try to sheetmetal it but the entire thing looks rusted through. He has been looking online for new side skirts or whatever there called but he can only find ones that come with a body kit.
Does anyone have an idea where to get them?
Thanks

Also would this be the best idea because i dont think welding is going to save them.

[Brad M]

Get some pics up and we'll see what options are available.

[messiveian]

i dont have an exact picture of the rust but it looks something like this along the bottom of both the front and rear doors.

http://www.xbodynova.com/images/feb06/rust/2004-rust-driverqtrrear.jpg

[RickHigginsHtbr]

dont know if GM had the 10year/100K mile warranty on rust back then or not, but tell him to look into it. Otherwise, hit up the junkyard for new doors.

[2K SE]

My SE has rust in the same spot. F#$%ing GM engineers at it again. I understand there are metal clips that hold the plastic rocker panel on. They are always moving around and wear off the paint and cause this. The only option I thought was to cut out the rot and have a new piece welded in. Good it's not too noticable under the molding and below the door. Finally there has to be a way to reattack the rocker without those clips. Maybe fab up some plastic ones or the old reliable zip tie. Good luck and please keep us posted. I would like to know how it goes.

[messiveian]

yupp i was really concerned because i was thinking about buying the car and if i can get it fixed then its mine. I think im going to go take a look at the junk yard before i try anything else. I dont think welding would work because the entire bottom strip is rusted almost completly through. There would be no there to weld the metal to lol. If i were to buy some side skirts from a body kit for the car would those just take the old ones off and be able to clip those on or is it more difficult then it looks

Thanks

[messiveian]

This is his car and i have circled the spots where the rust is
above the rear wheel is just surface rust so i could remove that myself but the other circled part on the bottom is pretty much all rusted out

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/massiveian/PRIX4.jpg

[messiveian]

Just a question. If i were to buy some side skirts from a body kit for the car could I just take off the rusted ones and clip the new ones on or is it more complicated than that

[graden]

Those are not side skirts and there not plastic parts you can buy.
There rocker panels.
They are parts of the frame of the car.
You can buy new rockers from the dealer. They need to be sawalled off and new rocker panels welded on.
Do not drive the car with them off, you will loose the ridgity of the car by doing that.

Remember plastic does not rust.

The cover or skin of the rocker panel can be removed before you remove the rocker panel. The new rockers weleded on and the
plastic repainted and reinstalled with new clips.

#6 and #7 Is your rusted parts

[Nighthawk243]

Originally posted by RickHigginsHtbr
dont know if GM had the 10year/100K mile warranty on rust back then or not, but tell him to look into it. Otherwise, hit up the junkyard for new doors.

Nope... GM is 6 years.

My G5 has only 6 year rust through.