Hatch hinge seal

[4oldcars]

The hatch on my sub is just starting to show some "bubbles" in the paint by the handle. I'm guessing that it is taking on water and not draining completely. Any ideas on what I should look for? The seals around the hinges don't appear to be tight and I don't see where replacements are available so I think the first thing would be try to seal them. I thought maybe I'd add a couple drain holes across the bottom. Any other suggestions from someone that maybe already encountered this problem would be appreciated.

[vectorit]

Those upper hinge grommets are out there, since I bought new ones from one of the vendors years ago (Can't remember who).

If you are up for the challenge... I would take the hatch off, and make sure all of the weeping drains are clear at the bottom. They tend to fill up with dirt or rust sediment, then clog the drainage from the rains or washes and trap the moisture.
I imagine this would be tough, since there isn't a clean-out for this. So by rotating the hatch around to listen/see for sediment, then somehow getting it out either by air hose, shop vac, gravity, and a dental pick.

[4oldcars]

That's pretty much what I figured. This ain't gonna be fun. There are only two small weep holes. I ran a wire up into the weep holes. Does not appear to be any junk or obstructions. Appreciate your input. At least I know what I'll be doin next week end.

[zac]

I'm going to have to do this hatch removal as well. I would like to put some rust-inhibitor in there as well and then slosh it around. Some of you guys have suggested POR 15, but I'm wondering how well that would flow out in a confined area like that. Any other suggestions?

[4oldcars]

I was told to use transmission fluid.

[Tim240Z]

My hatch had about a cup or more of debris (rust and dirt) inside. I shook it out, then vacuumed with a shop vac, then blew out with compressed air.
I poured in some rust converter and 'sloshed' it around, then let the excess drain.
Then I thinned out some rustoleum and poured it in through the hinge holes and 'sloshed' it around (I taped over the drain holes, handle and latching mechanism holes).
Then, after a couple of days for dry time, I took an aerosol can of rustoleum, put a straw on the nozzle (from an old can of carb-cleaner), and sprayed inside through the handle holes and the bolt holes for the latches.......
No idea how well it worked, or how much coverage, but I figure that it has to be better than nothing.
Just finished painting the truck. Here is the hatch that I just finished:

[4oldcars]

Sounds like a good system. Thanx! I'm gonna give that a try. Not sure I have the patience that you have tho.

[Hart_Rod]

It took me 3 years to find a really nice hatch. Once I did, I sent it to a company that chemically stripped it and then dipped it into EDP primer. Supposedly it's the same process that they do to new cars. Hopefully I'll never have to worry about it rusting....

[4oldcars]

VERY nice!