Repairing Rusted bottom of steel door
does anybody know if a rusted bottom on a steel front door can be repaired/patched? Or if you know anybody that does that kind of repair? Really don't have the money for a whole new door right now
Crazy Cat Lady You can't fix it. A new basic entry door could be had for less than 250 - 300 dollars.
Collegeviewrider wire brush the loose rust off,
get a can of rustoleum spray paint,
spray the cleaned off rust.
then go get some aluminium tape, it's like the size of duct tape but made out of metal.
tape over the recently painted rustoleum area.
then get a can of paint that matches the rest of the door.
maybe paint the entire door with the new paint.
that should do you good.
BrotherDog 
jrze prideI assume it is the exterior side. I recommend you measure the width of the door, most likely 36", and go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy a full width door kick (34"). They are 6", 8",or 10" high and come in brass, bronze, steel, aluminum etc. Wire brush off the loose rust etc. I would fill the void with a spray foam insulation if it is a large hole. Spray paint with a rustoleum primer product. Apply a generous bead of silicon caulk on the perimiter of the back of the new door kick -not too close to the edge as so it won't squeeze out when attatched, and screw it to the door. This should hold off the rust for a bit.
Here are examples of door kicks:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/catalog/servlet/Search?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&keyword=door%20kick%20plates&Ns=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=SEARCH+ALL
Greg Greg, I thought of that but thank you so much for the details on how to do it!!
thank you Old Time Townie....very nice of you! Our front door has 'side lights' and is all one big piece. Don't think we can just replace the door.
BrotherDog method will look terrible and won't last. Greg method will not work for 36 inch door which most exteriors are.
Deputy If it is a steel door, and the rust has gone through the first bit, but not all the way through, use some 80 grit sandpaper, and remove all the paint, and rust. You will leave some deep scratches, but this will help the bondo stick to the door. If there is still rust use a good rust remover jelly. after you get all the rust off, use a tack cloth, or some turpentine on a rag to clean the spot. then go to your local car parts store, and get some bondo. it comes in two parts, and will need to be mixed. Spread it on the clean surface leaving a bump to be sanded down. it dries pretty fast, so you won't have to wait all day. After it dries, sand smooth, and put a good rust primer on it, and then paint.
Don Walters My metal exterior door has rusted on the corner so only insulation remains on the interior corner. Oddly the outside just has a little surface rust .
Short of buying a new door, what is best way to fix corner on inside, probably about an inch and a quarter square?
KK I am wondering if someone with car repair experience could cut the area a little larger than the rust, mesh and bondo it, then paint it. Could that work?
MK MK, not a bad idea but, if you're paying someone else to to it, that would probably cost more than a new door.
ThatsmeDC You should measure the height , width and thickness of your door, write it down on a piece of paper , also take a picture of the existing door with you ..go to Lowe's and Home Depot......"let them tell you what they belive can be done to replace and of course the cost of labor ."
Then you can make an easier determination .
I do not believe it would be economically feasible to have an auto body shop attempt to repair ( not sure they would even have an interest ) , and if they did, I am certain you would not be happy long term, with that choice.
Good Luck !
Steven and by the way , an exterior door has a "fire rating " , not sure your homeowners would appreciate your altering a fire code door ( presuming the one you currently have is fire rated , if not , time to replace ! )
My front door rusted badley because I put on a magnetic brass front door plate years ago. I am guessing water got trapped behind it. Now I am afraid to remove it for fear there will be holes behind it that I won't know how it fix and I can't afford a new door. I am not a handy person, and not very strong but I have a lot of time. Any suggestions.
Walt walt , the tape method will not last long, it was just a cheap quick easy patch in the old days to get cars through inspection.
for your door, you may need another plate to bolt in place over the bad part, not sure without seeing pics of the damage.
The bottom inside corner of our mudroom door is rusting and I need advice as to fix it before winter. I am able to provide pictures.
Thank you very much for any help with this.
Sincerely,
Lauren
Lauren Gugliuzza I fixed mine with bondo-type material. Smear it on, sand it down, paint it. Worked great. Check youtube for how-to videos, it's not difficult (altho I do recommend a POWERED sander, the stuff is very hard, and if you're thinking of hand sanding it, you'll be there for days. The material is available at Home Depot, I forget what it's called (I don't hink it was "Bondo", which is a brand name that has become the generic term- like "Xerox")
JeffersonRepub 
Jessejames 
do I have to take down the door? I have rust on the 2 bottom edges of my back exterior door, I am thinking of using the Bondo to fix it. I sanded down the rust and I have holes where the rust was. Thank you for your help!
Ellie You probably don't HAVE to take the door off, but it would make everything easier believe it or not. There's a lot of sanding to be done with the bond repair, and that's much easier done on a pair of saw horses than it is it all bent over/lying on the ground.
What's inside? Because you need to treat that probably to be sure it just doesn't rot from within.
IF it's rot you have: https://www.rotdoctor.com/products/product.html
They are out of CPES -- this stuff wolmanizes anything it touches. DO NOT BREATHE.. I have not seen such power since the 60's, and wouldn't touch it then either. I mean if you do a window, outside, still close the door inside --- just in case. Only takes a bit to put you in orbit.
strangerdanger 
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