wheel well rust

[PlanZero]

So I have the notorious rear wheel well rust on both of my DSMs and I'm looking for suggestions on how to treat it. Since it's not in my budget to cut and weld in new panels, I'd like to do something before it creeps up to the toe arms. I know several people who've wire brushed the rust out and used some type of rust reformer / undercoating combination and it seems to have helped. Since this is in the front of the rear wheel wells I'm not to concerned about appearance. Anyone ever try that rust inhibiting jelly? What about for a quarter size rust spot 3" from the strut tower? I want to do something before winter.

 

[bettfootball]

Topic has been covered thousands of times.

 

[Smilinjay]

It really depends on the severity of the rust. Only surface rust or scale and minor pitting can be properly treated with por15 (rust converter) and undercoating. If you have holes, or if the metal has been structurally compromised, the ONLY proper way to treat it is to cut it out and weld in fresh metal.

 

[bryanwheat]

The thing with trying to treat is is that you are only getting one side, the other side will have rust also and you will never get it all. The proper thing to do is cut out all rot, grind all surface rust and then neutralize the metal. After this you can then weld in new metal, grind the welds, primer, seal and paint.

 

[fastfred]

Take off the side skirts before you do anything. If those wheel well spots are soft to the touch the rocker is likely gonna be in bad shape. Treating it will also let it spread, only you wont see it.

 

[PlanZero]

No side skirts on my 2gb Tsi. Rust rotted the normal spots inside the well where that little shelf is (what a horrible design flaw). I planned in grinding out the rust and possibly using por 15 then undercoating. Its not severe enough or aesthetically necessary to replace that area with new metal. I was just looking for suggestions since I know most DSM ers in the northeast have it. I plan on doing the same with the small strut tower spot ( on both sides, obviously) until I can have it properly repaired. Does the rust dissolving naval jelly actually work, or will por 15 be enough?

 

[fastfred]

I've used por 15 on a bunch of random stuff besides cars and its held up well and I haven't had any rust issues where it was used. It's also easy to use. I would suggest it over the jelly. Also look into a product called Rust Bullet.

 

[Boostedx11]

por 15 or a welder

 

[simplejoe]

If it's holes then just do it right, cut and weld metal in.