Tailgate rust

[antgel]

I have decided to have a go at the rust on my tailgate myself.  There's three patches, one by the lock - this is bubbling and has a hole just big enough to get my little finger in.  The second is a 2p size bubble.  The third is also about 2p size, but is partially hidden under the rear window seal.  Here's my plan.

Remove rear window.
Remove number plate.
Remove trim around lock.
Using wire brush on drill, remove all bubbling in affected areas, down to bare metal.
Fill hole with Isopon and sand flush.
Apply primer.
Apply top coat.

Is any part of this going to be very difficult or have I not thought anything through?  I've never done any bodywork before, but I've never owned a £300 car before. 
Do I use Isopon P38 or P40?
Do I need mesh?
I don't have a compressor so plan to use aerosol paint.  I plan to make a mask so that the already painted parts of the tailgate aren't affected.  I'm assuming that touch-up kits will look crap as the brush marks will be visible?
How many coats of primer and top coat?  Does it need lacquer on top?  (It's not metallic.)

[Bazzer]

You'll need mesh if you can put your finger through the hole.... Think you'll need P38 (whatever it is, it's the red one that's filler - the other one is fibreglass)

You can get a good finish with a brish on a flat colour, but you'll need plenty of patience and a few sheets of fine wet and dry and a sanding block.....!

[TIM20]

I would personally go to a good scrap yard and buy another boot lid without the rust.  It will cost about the same as the filler/mesh/wet and dry etc.  If your lucky you may even find one in your colour.  I would recomend this as the only real way to get rid of rust properly is to cut out the dead metal weld in new and then fill spray. 

If you just try to sand it out it will come back in the future and cause further problems. 

Just get a replacement tailgate some waxol for the inner area to prevent rust (dont block the drainage holes in the bottom) and spray it up.  This will give you time to achieve a good finish and will also keep your motor looking good.  MAybe even look in the parts for sale for some one breaking a golf

Tim

[Bazzer]

Yeah Reckon that's pretty sound advice - metal moth's a sod to get rid of and it's much less bother preventing it in the first place....

[antgel]

I would personally go to a good scrap yard and buy another boot lid without the rust.  It will cost about the same as the filler/mesh/wet and dry etc.  If your lucky you may even find one in your colour.  I would recomend this as the only real way to get rid of rust properly is to cut out the dead metal weld in new and then fill spray. 

If you just try to sand it out it will come back in the future and cause further problems. 

Just get a replacement tailgate some waxol for the inner area to prevent rust (dont block the drainage holes in the bottom) and spray it up.  This will give you time to achieve a good finish and will also keep your motor looking good.  MAybe even look in the parts for sale for some one breaking a golf

Tim

Is it difficult to fit a tailgate?  Alignment etc?

If I find one in the wrong colour, can I spray it to good effect with an aerosol or do I really need a compressor?

I guess you can all tell that I have _never_ done anything to do with bodywork before. 

[Bazzer]

Well... you can get a good finish with aerosol, but tbh I've never seen one  You'd be better off taking the panel to a paint shop (take the bits off first and save some dosh) and asking them to paint it for ya. I can't see them charging more than about £40 or £50 for basic paint.....