{"id":189033,"date":"2026-06-07T06:12:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T13:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/?p=189033"},"modified":"2026-09-04T19:08:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T02:08:58","slug":"how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Replace a Floor Pan in a Car"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Replacing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/floor-pan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"floor pan\">floor pan<\/a> in a car means cutting out the rusted section, fitting a new metal panel, welding it in place, then sealing and priming it to keep moisture out. It&rsquo;s one of the most common sheetmetal repairs on older vehicles, and while it takes patience, it&rsquo;s well within reach for a careful DIYer with the right tools. The core sequence stays the same on almost any car: remove what&rsquo;s rotten, prep clean bare metal, fit the replacement, weld, then protect both sides of the repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cut out all rust first. A new panel welded over compromised metal will rust again, so remove every bit of corrosion before fitting anything.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the vehicle manufacturer&rsquo;s repair procedure when choosing a joint. Butt, lap, or backed butt joints may be specified depending on the vehicle and repair location, and structural floor sectioning should not be improvised without an approved procedure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the corrosion-protection products specified for the vehicle and repair. Where permitted, weld-through primer can be applied to mating surfaces before welding to help protect areas that will become inaccessible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seal both sides. Seam seal and prime the topside and underside, then add sound deadener and undercoating to lock moisture out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mind the structure. On unibody cars the floor carries load, so don&rsquo;t cut more than you must at once and brace the body if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What a Floor Pan Does and Why It Rots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The floor pan is the large stamped metal sheet that forms the bottom of the passenger compartment. It carries seat mounts, supports occupants, and on unibody vehicles contributes to the car&rsquo;s structural stiffness. Because it sits low and traps water from leaks, wet shoes, and failed seals, it&rsquo;s one of the first areas to corrode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rust usually starts where moisture collects: under carpet, near the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/rocker-panel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rocker panels\">rocker panels<\/a>, and around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/heater-core\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"heater cores\">heater cores<\/a> that leak coolant. Left alone, surface rust eats through the metal and weakens the structure. That&rsquo;s why car floor repair almost always starts with finding the moisture source, not just the hole. A common culprit is a leaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/seals-and-weatherstripping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"windscreen seal\">windscreen seal<\/a>, which lets water run down into the floor and quietly rust it from above. If you catch corrosion early, you may be able to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-remove-rust-for-your-car-without-welding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"stop rust without welding\">stop rust without welding<\/a>, but once it eats through the metal, a panel swap is the only durable fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Battery Placement Can Accelerate Floor Pan Corrosion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First and foremost, vehicles that live in icy regions where a lot of road salt is used are among the most prone to rust, and the floor pan isn&rsquo;t the only part of the vehicle that suffers. Old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/volkswagen\/beetle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Volkswagen Beetles\">Volkswagen Beetles<\/a> and some other vehicles with batteries mounted low in the passenger compartment can develop weak and rusty sheet metal in that area as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The classic air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle is a well-known example. Its battery sits under the rear seat, and leaking electrolyte can corrode the floor pan beneath it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anytime a manufacturer places a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/battery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"lead-acid battery\">lead-acid battery<\/a> over painted sheet metal inside the cabin or trunk, leakage or poor venting can damage nearby metal, especially if moisture and road salt are also present. Battery placement by itself does not cause rust, but it can create a concentrated corrosion risk when electrolyte or acidic vapor reaches the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other verified examples of low, cabin-mounted batteries include the 2000-2005 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/buick\/lesabre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Buick LeSabre\">Buick LeSabre<\/a>, which places the battery under the rear seat, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/jeep\/grand-cherokee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Jeep Grand Cherokee\">Jeep Grand Cherokee<\/a> WK2, which places the battery under the front passenger seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools and Materials You&rsquo;ll Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don&rsquo;t need a full body shop, but quality consumables make a real difference. Plan to gather the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A MIG welder suited to thin sheet metal, ideally with easy-grind or low-carbon wire that&rsquo;s easier to hammer and dolly flat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cutoff wheels and grinding discs. Fresh, quality discs cut fast and cool, which matters because heat warps thin metal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A replacement panel, either a stamped pan made for your vehicle or flat sheet you shape yourself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weld-through primer, epoxy primer, seam sealer, and undercoating for protecting the repair.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basic hand tools: clamps, a hammer and dolly set, marker, and measuring tape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A thin, consistent gap between the old and new metal makes butt welding far easier, so don&rsquo;t rush the cutting and fitting stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step by Step: Replacing the Panel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Remove the Old Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strip out the seats, carpet, and trim so you can see the full extent of the damage. Mark a clean cutting line in solid metal beyond the rust, then cut out the rotten section with a cutoff wheel. Disassembling carefully and reversing that order on reassembly keeps the job organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prep and Treat Bare Metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grind back to clean, bright steel around the repair area. If any rust remains and you can&rsquo;t cut it out, treat it with a rust converter, but cutting it out is always the better fix. Prepare mating surfaces using the corrosion-protection products and procedures specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Where permitted, apply weld-through primer before welding so corrosion protection remains in areas that will become inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fit the New Panel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Position the replacement and trim it to leave a small, even gap for butt welding, or an overlap if you&rsquo;re lap welding. For structural repairs, follow the vehicle manufacturer&rsquo;s procedure for the required joint design, overlap dimension, and attachment method. A 50 mm dimension appears in some OEM procedures, but it is not a universal rule for floor-pan repairs. Clamp everything tightly so nothing shifts while you tack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"article-search-widget\">\n\t<div class=\"cp-search\">\n\t\t<div class=\"cp-logo-search\" align=\"center\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weld It In<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with spaced tack welds to hold position and spread heat, then fill in gradually, skipping around to avoid warping. A butt weld can provide a clean, flush repair, while a lap joint can be more forgiving to fit and weld. For structural floor sections, however, the correct joint is the one specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Take your time, because heat is the enemy of flat sheet metal. The same patient approach applies whether you&rsquo;re patching a pan or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-repair-auto-body-rust-holes-plus-tips-for-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"repairing auto body rust holes\">repairing auto body rust holes<\/a> elsewhere on the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"pro-tip-widget\">\n\n    <div class=\"pro-tip-item\">\n        <figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\", P0442 Code: Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak)\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"protip-desc\">\n        <div class=\"help-tip\">\n        <p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"help-caption\">\n            <p>\n                <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n                Remember to clamp the welding work clamp to clean metal as close as practical to the area you're welding, preferably on the same panel. Keeping the welding-current path short reduces the risk of current or voltage spikes damaging electronic controllers. Disconnect and isolate both battery cables before welding, and follow the vehicle manufacturer's welding precautions for nearby control modules and high-voltage systems.            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finish and Protect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grind welds smooth, then seam seal the joints on both the top and underside. Prime with epoxy, then add sound deadener inside and undercoating beneath. If you&rsquo;re unsure which protective coating to reach for, this breakdown of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/rust-proofing-vs-undercoating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rust proofing vs undercoating\">rust proofing vs undercoating<\/a> explains what each does. Sealing thoroughly is what keeps the repair from rusting through again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Note on Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The floor pan is part of your vehicle&rsquo;s structure, so treat the repair seriously. Don&rsquo;t remove large sections at once on a unibody car without bracing the body, or it can flex and lose alignment. For a structural passenger-compartment floor, check the vehicle manufacturer&rsquo;s repair information before sectioning. If no approved sectioning procedure exists for the area you&rsquo;re repairing, don&rsquo;t improvise one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welding near fuel lines, brake lines, or the tank calls for extra caution: disconnect the battery, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and move or shield anything flammable. If you&rsquo;re unsure whether the surrounding structure is sound, have a qualified shop inspect it before you drive the car, since a weakened floor affects how it holds up in a collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1788573835622\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How long does it take to replace a floor pan?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">For a single pan, expect a full weekend or more as a beginner. Cutting and fitting carefully takes longer than the welding itself, and rushing tends to create warping and gaps you&rsquo;ll fight later.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1788573851553\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I just patch over the rust instead of cutting it out?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You can, but it won&rsquo;t last. Rust spreads under anything you cover it with, so welding a new panel over rotten metal just hides the problem until it returns. Cutting back to clean steel is the only durable approach.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1788573871760\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I butt weld or lap weld?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Neither joint is universally correct for every floor-pan repair. Butt welding produces a flush joint, while lap welding is generally easier to fit and can be specified for some repairs. On structural sections, use the joint type, overlap, weld pattern, and attachment method called for by the vehicle manufacturer&rsquo;s repair procedure.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1788573894459\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need to seal the underside too?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Moisture attacks from both directions, so sealing only the topside leaves the underside exposed. Seam seal and undercoat the bottom to protect the weld fully.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1788573910305\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What causes floor pans to rust in the first place?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Trapped moisture, usually from wet carpet, failed door or window seals, or a leaking windscreen. A leaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-heater-core-located-in-a-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"heater core location\">heater core location<\/a> under the dash can also drip coolant onto the floor. Find and fix the leak, or the new pan will eventually rot too. Following a few <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/top-5-tips-to-deal-with-rust-on-your-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"tips to deal with rust\">tips to deal with rust<\/a> on the rest of the body helps keep new corrosion from starting.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drive On a Floor You Can Trust<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A solid floor is the foundation of a safe, rust-free ride, and doing the job right means your repair will outlast the rest of your vehicle. Once the metal is sealed, a set of fresh <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/floor-mats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"floor mats\">floor mats<\/a> helps trap the wet shoes and spills that started the problem in the first place. Take your time with the cutting, welding, and sealing, and you&rsquo;ll end up with durable metal. When you&rsquo;re ready to source <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/floor-pan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"replacement floor pans\">replacement floor pans<\/a>, primers, and the right consumables, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a> has the parts to get you there.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Replacing a floor pan in a car means cutting out the rusted section, fitting a new metal panel, welding it&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":189034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1034,3746,52],"tags":[1268],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":["post-189033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-auto-repair","category-car-body","category-diy","tag-floor-pan","entry"],"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How To Replace a Floor Pan in a Car - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to replace a floor pan in a car: cut out rust, fit the new panel, weld it in, then seal and prime to stop corrosion coming back.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How To Replace a Floor Pan in a Car - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to replace a floor pan in a car: cut out rust, fit the new panel, weld it in, then seal and prime to stop corrosion coming back.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-07T13:12:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-05T02:08:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/How_To_Replace_a_Floor_Pan_in_a_Car.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"599\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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Cutting back to clean steel is the only durable approach.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573871760","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573871760","name":"Should I butt weld or lap weld?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Neither joint is universally correct for every floor-pan repair. Butt welding produces a flush joint, while lap welding is generally easier to fit and can be specified for some repairs. On structural sections, use the joint type, overlap, weld pattern, and attachment method called for by the vehicle manufacturer's repair procedure.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573894459","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573894459","name":"Do I need to seal the underside too?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Moisture attacks from both directions, so sealing only the topside leaves the underside exposed. Seam seal and undercoat the bottom to protect the weld fully.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573910305","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-replace-a-floor-pan-in-a-car-quickref\/#faq-question-1788573910305","name":"What causes floor pans to rust in the first place?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Trapped moisture, usually from wet carpet, failed door or window seals, or a leaking windscreen. A leaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-heater-core-located-in-a-car\/\">heater core location<\/a> under the dash can also drip coolant onto the floor. Find and fix the leak, or the new pan will eventually rot too. Following a few <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/top-5-tips-to-deal-with-rust-on-your-car\/\">tips to deal with rust<\/a> on the rest of the body helps keep new corrosion from starting.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/How_To_Replace_a_Floor_Pan_in_a_Car-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/How_To_Replace_a_Floor_Pan_in_a_Car-600x599.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"CarParts.com Research Team","author_link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/"},"authors":[{"term_id":2607,"user_id":1651,"is_guest":0,"slug":"thecpteam","display_name":"CarParts.com Research Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg"},"author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/","last_name":"","first_name":"CarParts.com Research Team","job_title":"","description":"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust."},{"term_id":2985,"user_id":1646,"is_guest":0,"slug":"richardmccuistian","display_name":"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png"},"author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/","last_name":"McCuistian","first_name":"Richard","job_title":"ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","description":"<div class=\"auth-social-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-mccuistian-2681891b\/\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"linkedin\" aria-labelledby=\"linkedin\">LinkedIn<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/McCuistian\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"instagram\" aria-labelledby=\"instagram\">Youtube<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\nRichard McCuistian grew up in Alabama learning from his father who ran an automotive repair shop. Richard has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others (published every year since May 2000). He has developed training courses and written or edited training material for companies in the U.S. Canada, and the Netherlands, and even Bulgaria. He maintained an \u201cask a mechanic\u201d website for 10 years answering questions emailed to him from all over the world.\r\n\r\nRichard has an instructional automotive YouTube channel \u201cMcCuistian\u201d with 13,500 subscribers and over 1,300 videos. Much of his professional work requires photography and videography in shop environments, but Richard also enjoys taking pictures of landscapes, skyscapes, old barns and houses, small towns. He has produced a coffee table book of digital watercolors called \u201cMemories of South Alabama\u201d created from his personal photos, along with a dozen Christian fiction short original novels and a collection of short stories, all available in Kindle or softcover format. Richard has written a 2,500-word Bible study every week for the past 20 years and uses it to teach a small group at his church every Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n<strong>Credentials:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"author-list\">\r\n<li><p>ASE Certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Professional Mechanic\/Technician for 25 years with experience on diesel and gasoline engines, vehicles and equipment (including hydraulics).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Spent 5 years in fleet maintenance, 20 years in independent shops and dealerships (VW, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Ford, Lincoln), specializing in driveability and electronics for the last 14 years of his career at the same dealership.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Senior Contributing Editor at Motor Age Magazine, first published in Motor Age in May of 2000 and every year since. He has won two International Automotive Media Awards for technical articles published in trade magazines.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has attended hundreds of hours of automotive training from OEMs including GM, Volkswagen, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Chrysler, as well as additional training at events like KC Vision and MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Taught college level auto mechanics for 19 years.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has written for automotive training companies (including course development work for training companies in Canada and the Netherlands) and has been hired to teach professional trade show technician courses at multiple training events in Texas and Alabama.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>While still teaching at the college level, Richard launched a new automotive program in Geneva, Alabama, setting up a dual enrollment department in a new building, organizing the shop and classroom, teaching morning classes to high school students for 2 years while still teaching at the college in the afternoon.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Richard\u2019s college program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College worked at professional shop speed during his tenure to prepare graduates for production level work in the real world.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189033\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/189034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189033"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=189033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}