I Found A Bubble And Started To Pick It.....

[DSYKES5500 22]

And uncovered a patch of rot under the passenger side rear wheel arch

 

 

This is quite bad and needs sorting, it's actually gone through the metal. That stonechip protector hides a lot of secrets!!

 

Does anyone know what's the best way to sort this? Replace the inner wing? cut back to fresh metal, fill and protect?

 

Any help would be appreciated or if someone can point me in the direction of a good bodyshop that can help. Paintguy?!

 

Thanks

[hengti 2]

are you sure it's through?

 

it's difficult to see but it just looks like surface rust to me - there's a fair thickness of metal there and it's unlikely to have rotten through imo

 

i'd start by taking the surface rust off with a 3M stripping disc which'll take it back to bare metal easily; then just prime/rust proof and paint.

 

ed. if it has gone through, i'd cut the affected area out and weld in a repair panel (prime/rust proof and paint again). that said, not sure how the panels are joined together in this area which is always something to think about before you start chopping stuff out

Edited February 17, 2007 by hengti

[DSYKES5500 22]

Yeah it's gone through. I don't know if you can make it out in the picture but at the top where I've uncovered it, there looks to be a dent, that's where I put my finger through it

[steve031286 0]

Yeah it's gone through. I don't know if you can make it out in the picture but at the top where I've uncovered it, there looks to be a dent, that's where I put my finger through it

 

 

If it were me i would cut the rust away say i nice square! and weld a piece of sheet metal over it and treat it with underseal or paint as you would! although i cant see from the pic just how far the rust has traveled under the paint.

 

steve

[DSYKES5500 22]

Could any bodyshop carry out this work? or do I need a specialist place to do it? I've checked the other side this morning and that's the same too

 

I've just not got the skills, tools or time to do it myself.

[steve031286 0]

Could any bodyshop carry out this work? or do I need a specialist place to do it? I've checked the other side this morning and that's the same too

 

I've just not got the skills, tools or time to do it myself.

 

Any garage should be able to do the welding for you! just look around for quotes. then when the weldings done just treat it with waxol or something. will be good for a few years.

 

steve

[hengti 2]

just echoing steve031286:

 

any garage should be able to fix that up for you - it's a fairly simple repair.

 

most panels rot from the inside out though - so you'd ideally want the affected area cut out and replaced rather than just plating over it. that said, a plate is the easiest option and will likely take some time to rot through again (i.e. years) - depends upon how long you plan on keeping the car really.

 

i'd do it properly, but then i've a welder and don't have to pay for the labour.

Edited February 18, 2007 by hengti

[DSYKES5500 22]

Thanks for the advice. I've a few areas underneath and on the chassis rails that could do with a tidy up, rust removal and protection, could the same bodyshop carry out this work or does a specialist have to do it?

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

just echoing steve031286:

 

any garage should be able to fix that up for you - it's a fairly simple repair.

 

most panels rot from the inside out though - so you'd ideally want the affected area cut out and replaced rather than just plating over it. that said, a plate is the easiest option and will likely take some time to rot through again (i.e. years) - depends upon how long you plan on keeping the car really.

 

i'd do it properly, but then i've a welder and don't have to pay for the labour.

 

Although I'd normally agree with that my experience with my 309 has taught me that the "black and sticky" pug used can lift from the metal generating areas of surface rust all over the place. Not seen anything like it on the 205 but it isn't obvious until you get underneath and start poking around.

 

Rob

 

P.S. I ponder if this the result of a rear ender in the past cracking the rust protection?