How much rust is too much?

[rofflesaur]

I'm in the middle of preparing to replace the liner in my 14 year old 24'x54" Artesian pool. After removal I discovered some rust on the interior walls, as well as some underneath the sand cove at the bottom. The rust on the wall has revealed a few small holes after brushing it with a wire wheel. I decided I may be able to repair this by covering it with a sheet of galvanized flashing and riveting it in place. Then I found the rust under the cove. It does not extend into the bottom rail, but just above it. The bottom rail itself looks fine. In one section there's a few pinholes. Is the pool junk at this point? I was hoping to get another 5 years out of it with a cheap liner I bought.

Do you think this is still structurally sound if I patched/reinforced the large section in the middle of the wall with steel and then sealed behind the cove? Perhaps with POR-15 or Flex Seal?

 

[ajw22]

@Casey what do you think?

 

[Casey]

I've done this kin of rust restoration this past April. Although I had a lot of rust, mine was never to the point that I could see through the walls like I can in your 3rd picture. That looks really bad and I'm very hesitant to say, Yeah go head... you'll be fine. That's a very bad spot. I'd say your pool gave you a good run n put it to bed.