Hello everyone, I’m in the process of restoring my 1988 trans am. Does anyone think I could just get away with grinding out the rust and filling with duraglass on just the lip. I initially thought there was no rust, but when I grinded away the seam sealer I found some pitting. I’m not looking for a showroom resto but would not like paint to blister down the road. I don’t mind a little welding as I have done before. Here are some pictures

I have some further pictures of the welded area where the hinges are attached that have a similar kind of rust. I always find rust behind that lovely gm seam sealer which must of been sandwiched between the hinge and door shell

That rust isnt bad enough to replace. never just fill or cover.
Continue to wire wheel clean OR better to Media blast with Glass bead OR other fine glass.
Once clean treat metal with Axalta 5717s and then Axalta 5718s read instructions carefully and follow instruction to the letter, follow with Epoxy.

PPG has their own metal treatment product which does and is the exact same thing under p/n DX579 and DX520 read instructions carefully and follow instruction to the letter, follow with Epoxy.
These products I have told you about are special metal cleaners and Metal conditioners designed to increase paint adhesion they are also designed to be under a paint system.

Do not use Magic rust removers or magic Rust converter paints that are not designed to be used under a paint system.

it doesn't look that bad, I would clean it real good , blasting is best. then apply some epoxy you can do this with a brush if you want i would brush some on the inside of the door pinch weld also. the real way to do an expert repair would be to remove the skin and clean that pinch weld ( probably rust in the pinch weld) good then reinstall the skin its a lot of work and i don't think this is the way you need to go.
Jay D.

After you finish with your epoxy and paint wait a few weeks and apply some cosmoline in the area. It will never rust again.