Hatch Area Rust remediation & PSA: Check your lower hatch weather stripping corners

[sienayr]

Part numbers 51718222461/462, these are the flat rubber corner pieces that sit in the lower corners of the hatch area, right above the bumper. If they are compromised, they will allow water in and begin to corrode the seams and metal strip that the inner weather stripping slides onto, as well as the outer metal strip that the corner pieces and center rubber strip slide onto. I just spent a bunch of time addressing corrosion in that area, including a compromised seam on the passenger side which required me to dig out all the old seam sealer over to good metal and re-seal (I used por15 seam sealer). As I was putting everything back together I noticed how ragged those two corner pieces were, and realized that the missing rubber on them is allowing water to get in, which is probably what helped cause the corrosion in the first place. I'm going to order two new ones, cheap insurance at ~$25 each.

Special thanks to BimmrMeUpSnotty for some guidance on this little project.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...58#51718222461

IMG_4385.jpg

IMG_4379.jpg

stripping down to bare metal, seam sealer dug out
IMG_4400.jpg


All sealed up with por15. Great part is that basically none of this is visible once all the trim is put back on, so I'm just going to leave the por15 uncoated. Don't forget to check underneath the outer most edge with a mirror! Corrosion can be lurking under there as well.
IMG_4422.jpg

[sienayr]

The driver's side was not nearly as bad, just some surface rust on the metal flanges. I noted that the rubber corner piece on this side is in better condition.
IMG_4424.jpg

Note the black splotches in this pic. The trim piece that sits on top of this area has plastic support pieces that rest on top of the paint. They had scratched through the paint to bare metal, so check that too! I treated and cleaned the spots and covered them in por15 which should provide good protection from the plastic tips for years to come.
IMG_4425.jpg

[Frankie]

Thanks for sharing, good info. I need to check my car.