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From: heneghan@ihlpf.UUCP (Heneghan)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Honda Rust
Message-ID: <291@ihlpf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 31-Jan-86 13:51:07 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpf.291
Posted: Fri Jan 31 13:51:07 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 02:23:54 EST
References: <1296@cbdkc1.UUCP>
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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> []
> I posted the following in net.auto and received no replies, so I'd like to
> give ya'll a chance to help me :-)
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> I have a 1981 Honda Civic that is rusting terribly in some places.  The rust
> is concentrated on the rear hatch at the bottom corners of the window and
> at the bottom edge.  There is some rust on the rear wheel well edges but
> none in the front wheel wells, or the rocker panels, or the door edges, etc.
> where older American cars used to rust.
> 
> All the rust started UNDER the paint (as evidenced by the bubbling of the
> paint before the rust shows) but did not start on the under-side of the panels
> where there is under-coating.  The Honda dealer where I bought it says it
> is as a result of the salt on the roads and is my own fault.  I say they're
> con artists selling crap.  I owned a 1979 Chevette and treated it the same
> way (periodic washing and waxing etc.) for five years and never had one micron
> of rust on the body.  If these spots had started on obviously bare metal (e.g.
> paint scratches) I would accept fault.  I wouldn't be surprised to learn that
> the rot had started before the paint was applied!
> 
> Does anyone know what recourse I have?  Is there a "secret" recall for `81
> Hondas?  Are there any class action suits against Honda for selling "cars"
> with inferior "steel" wrapping?
> 
> jeff sager    ...!cbdkc1!jjs

My 81' Buick Skylark has a similar problem. The metal under the rear
window is zinc (I'm almost positive). After about 3 years, bubbling
occured without rust  (zinc doesn't rust). So, I just touch it up
as required. I think this relates to your problem in that sometimes
paint simply doesn't adhere well for various reasons: trapped moisture,
contaminated primer, micro bubbles that don't cover the steel and allow
the metal to oxidize. Look at the painting process for quality cars,
you'll see many coats with wetsanding in between. Most average cars,
both American and foreign, have average paint jobs. Caveat Emptor

					Joe Heneghan