Passenger footwell rust repair question
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 1,338
Received 285 Likes
on
215 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Passenger footwell rust repair question
I have a water leak around the bottom of my HVAC blower that's letting water seep under the carpet on the passenger side. I'm in the process of fixing the leak and dealing with the rust (no holes so far) before I put the carpet back in. Before I take a wire brush and/or wheel to the rust, should I remove this silver-colored sound-deadening material? It appears to be aluminum with an adhesive backing (butyl, maybe?). I'm wondering how much of a PITA it'll be to remove, but I want to be sure to deal with any rust that might be underneath it.
Any insight?
Any insight?
Last edited by IJM; 03-25-2024 at 04:41 PM.
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Los Angeles CA
Posts: 43
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Don't hesitate to rip out old stuff that might be hiding rust. They sell butyl-adhesive sound-deadening mats generically on Amazon. Heck buy a whole box and line the doors. Get that solid luxury car feeling.
#5
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 1,338
Received 285 Likes
on
215 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I pulled if off (or started to) last night. With a heat gun and plastic scraper, I was able to get most of the butyl off, and now I need to try mineral spirits for the rest. Fortunately, it appears the metal under the mat is all minty fresh, though I did discover a few small holes nearby I think I can fix.
#7
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 1,338
Received 285 Likes
on
215 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I wanted to see if there was any rust under it (there wasn't), and I mostly wanted to get everything cleaned up so I could prep, seal and paint the whole area.
Here's what it looks like as of yesterday.
Here's what it looks like as of yesterday.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
woopwoop
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
18
02-09-2015 09:43 AM
buix893
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
4
04-08-2013 12:00 AM
Scheidttm
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
07-19-2010 11:55 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)