I highly doubt a doctor would utter the words "cancer free". Depending on the type and location of the cancer, a period of time has to lapse with no further indications of the cancer having returned before a declaration of "its in remission. There are no current indications" will be pronounced. I know several individuals that have been in remission from cancer for long enough periods of time that they could consider themselves "cancer free", but they don't. They call themselves cancer "survivors". They acknowledge they got by it once, and they are at higher risk of having it again, over an individual that never had it.
Like leave the hood and doors closed at a National event of enthusiasts so the rot can't be viewed? Or don't take pictures of the problem areas and show them to a prospective buyer before he travels 1,500 miles out of his way to look at the offering? Covering it up, or ignoring it, is not "rust-free".
I already stated my position earlier in the thread:
The following is in reference to sheet metal, and body rust of the type afflicting the OP's Typhoon. I'm referring to the many areas where rust is showing through body panels at the bottom, underside of the truck. This rot develops in the hidden crevasses at the bottom of the 1/4s and rockers, and body mount trusses. It progresses from the inside, rots through the metal, and by the time it's visible on the outside, the metal is rotten all the way through. Once its showing, its too late to "treat", it has to be removed. these areas of the vehicle are very difficult to access and labor-intensive (expensive) to repair.
Unless this 'damaged' metal is completely removed, treatments are only cosmetic or band-aids. The rust will continue to develop. Also note, that many interior surfaces of sheet metal panels are totally inaccessible once the body is assembled. If rust has developed in hidden area of the panels, there is no treatment possible to stop it. You can't get to it. There are chemical treatments where the entire body is submersed in vats of phosphoric acids to neutralize the iron oxide. While economically feasible for a L79 69 Camaro or an A-block Mopar, this process would be prohibitively expensive for the restoration of a $3,500 Typhoon.
I completely agree with your assessment that rust on vehicles is analogous with cancer in human beings. Just like cancer, rust can come back unless properly treated. Or maybe a different type, affecting an entirely different organ or area of the vehicle. Rust is rust. Once a car has it, particularly in sheet metal, it can be treated, and maybe it will stay in remission, maybe it won't. It can be a "rust survivor", but it won't be "rust free".
Parting comment. When a vehicle that required significant attention to rust repair/treatment during restoration is completed, it is almost never again exposed to the conditions that caused it to rust in the first place. So yes, a rust survivor will most likely be cured by an extensive (expensive) restoration and then kept in a dry garage during winters. Like a lung cancer survivor that increases his chances of survival after his treatment by quitting smoking.
Bottom line is that rust repair is expensive and time consuming, and the results are not always satisfactory. Depending on what a prospective purchasers intentions are with the vehicle in question, will influence how much rust he is willing to tolerate. A guy that is planning on a frame off, full repaint, keep it forever Ty, will desire as little rust as possible, because he's already committing to spending a ton of money. A guy that's going to cut holes in the fender for exhaust, install a Buick engine, and go ice racing doesn't give a shit about rust holes a dog can crawl through.
Regards,
DaveP
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