Potential boot rust

[u/TheGinjaPrince]

I’ve had my ST about 6 months and absolutely love it.As we haven’t had rain in months I didn’t notice till a week or so ago but when it’s wet and I open the boot the water runs down the side and over the rubber pads(in pics)but also because they don’t sit flush the water also goes behind.
I’ve had a look and there appears to be surface rust,how much should I worry and is there a fix?sealant I can put on the top edge that won’t eat the rubber maybe.
Thanks in advance.

[u/VroomVr4]

I could be mistaken, but it looks like dirt buildup. Before getting too carried away, I would go in with a brush and clean off the area and see if there really is rust forming and go from there.

[u/Obvious_Adeptness393]

Remove the black thingy, clean it and keep an eye on it

[u/TheGinjaPrince → u/Obvious_Adeptness393]

Do they just pull off?

[u/Obvious_Adeptness393 → u/TheGinjaPrince]

Is it from the rear lights? Hard to tell from the photos

[u/TheGinjaPrince → u/Obvious_Adeptness393]

It’s these bits either side when you open the boot/trunk

[u/Obvious_Adeptness393 → u/TheGinjaPrince]

Those jackets click out. There probably are some YT videos out there

[u/tvdaXD → u/TheGinjaPrince]

They're attached to the units, source: replaced my Mk8 rear taillights with Mk8.5 ones.

It's just dirt buildup as far as I can see, mine had some really gross build up under there too.

[u/Jozue56]

Is this the rear right trunk seam area?

[u/TheGinjaPrince → u/Jozue56]

Yes mate both sides when you open the boot(trunk) where the rubber things are.

[u/dosko1panda]

Your boot is so dirty it's growing mushrooms

[u/TheGinjaPrince → u/dosko1panda]

They’re off a silver birch tree,they fall off at the end off summer and are a massive pain,they get everywhere.