Saving fenders from rust (1 Viewer)

[Varty Yo]

So what would be the best way to protect the underside fender support rust area? I have a set oF NOS fenders and i never wanna see them rust in this location. What have you guys done to sel up all around these areas.

Im having a hard enough time talking myself into actually using them right now haha. Part of me wants to just keep them in storage for 20 years lol.



To avoid this from happening!

 

[cbmontgo]

Don't drive it in rain, sand, mud, or snow!

 

[Northbound]

Pray?

 

[Varty Yo]

Well thank you Captain obvious!!

 

[Splangy]

Well thank you Captain obvious!!

Avoiding water and salt is pretty much the only thing that will prevent rust in a part that wasn't designed with corrosion prevention in mind. you'll never get an affective coating between the support and the fender skin.

 

[1969FJ]

I certainly understand your feelings on holding on to NOS fenders. They may be worth more than you can imagine in the future. On the other hand, if you do use them, apply a few coats of EPOXY PRIMER. The black primer that is on there should be scuffed and then sprayed. The next coat will be the top coat of your choosing. I will recommend the following product, but there are many others just as good.

Epoxy - Primers - Automotive Finishes - Auto Paints & Equip

Also, if I had those fenders, I think I would properly epoxy them even if I shelved them. Reason is that primer that is on there is not to good at sealing. A friend of mine had some parts from Toyota with that black primer and in the course of shuffling them around over time they developed scratches and the rust monster found a place to begin. Of course Arizona is a SLOW rust state but Canada invented rust.

 

[Varty Yo]

Pretty much hey...

Have guys seam sealed all around before?

 

[Helipilot]

I agree with the multiple coats of 2K epoxy primer. On mine that I am doing right now I am following that advice and will also brush on a bed liner recommended by the automotive paint store that has a lot of experience in this stuff. After brushing on the first coat of undercoating to make sure I have all the nooks and crannies covered I plan to spray a second coat to increase the mills of coverage.

And I do not plan to drive it on the salt covered roads in winter.

 

[White Stripe]

How about getting them galvanized?

 

[Varty Yo]

Hmmmmm never thought of that

 

[steffan]

that's what it was thinking too: galvanized

 

[1969FJ]

Galvanizing, zinc coating , is definitely a process for rust protection. For bridges, light poles, etc. a hot dip will work. For a car etc... Electrogalvanization will do.
Any way, you can protect STEEL from corrosion very easily these days.

 

[Burbot]

Will you be welding on them at all? Cause you just have grind galv. off anyway. Seam sealer for sure. Primer won't protect from rust. Even paint won't last long. Primer/ paint then spray on gravel gaurd inside and that will protect the paint. Do it when they are new, not after the paint is chipped and rusting. It works very well. Any hole you drill paint before inserting hardware. Be fanatical while assembling them. This is a road driven vehicle but you'd never know it. Rust never sleeps but g gaurd does work

 

[45Kevin]

I think I would just gag a bunch of seam sealer in there and totally isolate the space under that rib.

Unless you are doing a concourse restoration, don't use those NOS fenders.

 

[Racer65]

Although fenders rust, the originals still lasted nearly 40 years. I would put'em on.

 

[jm599]

Might consider squirting epoxy primer in the cavity with a tube and syringe,
Use gravity to insure complete penetration. then 2 days later, 3m undercoating spray with tube into same cavity.
Then few weeks later, paint completely before installation

 

[curtislow]

Spray with Fluid Film 3 times a year or so.

 

[apeterson]

send them to me... then you dont have to worry... Ill take care of them.

 

[Varty Yo]

Man this is killing me on weather to use them or not haha. Or do a repair my current ones which are in ok shape but need some repairs. I mean I never plan to have a show quality 42 just a fun daily drive it any chance i get rig and go on a couple adventures.

 

[snaggletto]

Put them on the shelf, buy a set of aftermarket fenders for your driving pleasure. Nothing is worse than fixing it all up then never driving it, or being afraid to drive it.