Hi, our 2006 Grand Caravan has a rust bubble the size of a quarter on the front corner of the hood. I don't see any breaks in the paint, it looks like from underneath. Would the rust warranty cover this? Not sure how long that is in effect for. I asked a dealer and they kinda just said normal.
Other than that there are no other visible rust spots.
Thanks

 

I can't help you with rust warranty argument, but it's normal for these van hoods to rust from the inside out along the leading folded edge, causing bubbles to appear all along the bottom. At some point in a couple yrs, the whole lip of the hood will rust off. It is a total waste of time to fix it because you will see a few new bubbles each year from now on. Fixing a bubble will not prevent or delay the next one. The pocket holding moisture can't be accessed, painted or repaired, so body work must be made to the visible outer painted surface...this will only be superficial and temporary. The salt and water condenses and lays in the lip underneath. Same issue on the bottom of the doors.

A new primered hood costs like $150 with shipping on ebay, just need to paint and install it with 4 screws. This is the proper fix which will guarantee another 7 yrs or so of rust free hood. It is not cheaper to patch repair because it's the same cost to paint either way. New painted hood is good for 7 yrs, the used hood patch and repaint maybe 7 months...you choose the proper course of action lol.

If you want a brand new 100% perfect primered hood in original box for $125, I'll meet you at the Maryland/PA line on route 40 somewhere near ohiopyle. Just take it to a shop and get it sprayed the color of your van. Bolting it on takes a wrench, 4 hands to hold it in place and 10 minutes.

 

The hood on our 2001 started to bubble, or rather I noticed it at the end of winter, two months after the corrosion warranty expired. Chrysler told me to pound sand.
I tried last fall to find one in the local junkyard that had a large supply of these vans and every single hood was bubbling.

 

Same thing happened on my '03. My bodyshop said don't waste any time/money on repairing it. Got a new one and he painted it total cost 200.00

 

This thread has inspired me to get off my behind and address the hood. I was going to fix it since I can do the painting but I found a place on eBay whose physical store is in the Chicago suburbs about an hour from where we live. Their primed hood is only $115 + tax and local pickup so that's my next project.

 

M Fahey share that information I could use a hood

 

Actually, after some investigation, the place turned out to be pretty shady. There are places on eBay and Amazon that have the hoods fairly cheap and have better reviews.

 

I will ship you the new hood I bought and never used for $10 less than the best price you can find on ebay. It is 100% straight and still in factory box.

I have 100% positive feedback on ebay and about 500 stars. PM me if you are interested.

 

Any idea what it generally costs to take in something like a hood or fenders and have them painted?

 

My aftermarket hood is nicely primed and needs no prep at all aside from wiping dust off with a damp rag.


maaco paint shop (national chain) will prep and spray a whole vehicle for under $500. Based upon that they would likely do a hood for $75 because they can mix paint in the shop. Most shops will charge more because they buy paint mixed at a paint store and it costs them $50 and up.


On the other end of the spectrum, a specialty body shop may charge $10,000 for a car paint job. A small premium paint shop would charge 1hr labor plus paint which could push $150. Costs vary wildly, get estimate.


For an older van I'd buy 3 $10 cans of touch-up paint....2 cans of color and one can of clear then do it myself. Paint the inside, let it dry, flip it over to paint the top with 2 coats. It would take a couple hours in total. I'd clear coat the top only.