Hello all, I just got my RX-7 last week. Apparently there's an issue with water leaking into the car that I'm in the process of diagnosing and fixing. I've done some searching and reading here and it seems like my options for taking care of the rust (after I fix the leaks) is to do one of the following things:

1. Order some POR-15 or Eastwood Rust Encapsulator, lightly brush off the surface rust and then coat the hatch area.
2. Use some muriatic acid to clean off the rust and then primer and re-paint
3. Grind off all the rust and primer and paint

My question about the POR/ERE is: wouldn't I need to coat the metal all the way around on all sides to prevent the rust from continuing? I don't think the panels are rusted through, but I don't know how long this has gone on without being fixed. The PO removed the rear carpet and padding because it was soaked one day after a hard rain. I'm sure with as many FB owners as are here, someone has dealt with a similar issue before.

Here are some photos of the car, and the hatch.




Bigger photo of rust

Thanks!

 

Sunroof has a drain at each of the 4 corners. Make sure those tubes are clear, blow out with compressed air. Then check the hatch gasket.

 

I checked the drains, they're all flowing OK. I'm going to order some universal replacement seals from JCWhitney, but I'm not sure which style will work best. Any comments from people who have done similar?

Style 5, 6, or 7?

Or would this work?

Or this?

I'm not quite sure what style would be best for sealing up the moonroof and hatch.

 

None. BlackDragonAuto.com Part#59-230, $119.95.