Wheelwell paint

[giant_mtb]

Well, my car is, in fact, 10 years old and for its age compared to other cars I've seen of the same age, the paint is in excellent condition.  The car had never been driven in the winter until two years ago, so this winter was its third winter.  It has taken its toll on the paint, and just general wear and tear has, as well.

My question is about the inside of my wheelwells.  I'm noticing that the paint is chipping/rusting off of those areas, and I'd really like to do something about it before it spreads out onto the rest of the car.  What are my options?  Should I get some of that touch-up paint?  Color is not all that much of an issue, since it's not a highly looked at area of the car.  Should I sand away as much rust/peeling paint as possible (without being noticeable) and paint over some fresh metal?  With Rust-Oleum or whatever that rust-inhibiting paint is?

I don't really know what to do.




And just for fun...

The Stable...all freshly washed and vac'd...

[ro51092]

I know jack about paint, but don't you guys also have a G35 Coupe?

[S204STi]

I think your best bet to actually stop the rust from spreading is to sand down to the rust, hit it was a rust coverter/primer, get good colormatching automotive paint, such as Napa's Martin Senour, and a clearcoat, and try your best to blend it into the old stuff.  That's what I did with my old Subaru, and if I had bothered to clearcoat it you would never be able to tell without close scrutiny that I had painted it.  Unfortunately I didn't clearcoat it and the waxes and chemicals I used later on made that spot stand out just a bit after a good cleaning.

[giant_mtb]

I know jack about paint, but don't you guys also have a G35 Coupe?

Yes...it's my brother's and he lives downstate at school...so that car is there.  Sadly.  lol

[giant_mtb]

I think your best bet to actually stop the rust from spreading is to sand down to the rust, hit it was a rust coverter/primer, get good colormatching automotive paint, such as Napa's Martin Senour, and a clearcoat, and try your best to blend it into the old stuff. That's what I did with my old Subaru, and if I had bothered to clearcoat it you would never be able to tell without close scrutiny that I had painted it. Unfortunately I didn't clearcoat it and the waxes and chemicals I used later on made that spot stand out just a bit after a good cleaning.

That sounds simple enough, but it's probably easier said than done.  Now, would both the paint and the clearcoat be just brush-on things?  I don't have a spray gun and definitely don't feel like paying someone to do it for me...  Also, what kind of sanding should I do?  Just take some coarse paper and sand 'er down, or what?

[JWC]

On my past VW's, I always took out the rust, primiered it with a rust killing primer,  and then spray undercoating inside the wheel wells. 

Leaves a nice black finish insde the fenders.

[VTEC_Inside]

On my past VW's, I always took out the rust, primiered it with a rust killing primer, and then spray undercoating inside the wheel wells.

Leaves a nice black finish insde the fenders.

I've been doing that on the Accord as well. I just tape off the exterior panel and paint that entire lip with black primer. It doesn't stand out because originally it had a black rubber trim piece around the opening.

[S204STi]

That sounds simple enough, but it's probably easier said than done.? Now, would both the paint and the clearcoat be just brush-on things?? I don't have a spray gun and definitely don't feel like paying someone to do it for me...? Also, what kind of sanding should I do?? Just take some coarse paper and sand 'er down, or what?

No, it is all rattle-can for the best DIY results short of a paint-booth.


Go get a book on painting, and though it will seem daunting the info in there will likely help you.

Besides, everyone starts out not knowing what's going on.  Give it a shot in an inconspicous area first to try it, and if you don't feel comfortable with the rest of the car then stop at that.

[giant_mtb]

No, it is all rattle-can for the best DIY results short of a paint-booth.


Go get a book on painting, and though it will seem daunting the info in there will likely help you.

Besides, everyone starts out not knowing what's going on. Give it a shot in an inconspicous area first to try it, and if you don't feel comfortable with the rest of the car then stop at that.

Sounds good, thanks!

[Secret Chimp]

I bought this great rust-dissolver stuff back when I first got my car. It's bright pink gel; I swabbed it on with a q-tip and it turned all of my surface rust into black, easily-removeable chalky stuff. Then I used some 3M sanding blocks I got from a local Meijer to find bare metal, and brushed on some spray-can car primer I sprayed into an old yogurt tub (hey, I didn't want to bother masking :P)

[giant_mtb]

Well, because of the not-so-good weather conditions and low temperatures, I don't want to do anything major yet, but I went ahead and put on some Rust-Oleum "Protective Enamel" in flat black that is supposed to stop rust and, obviously, be protective.  My overall plan was to put on some spray-can rust converter/primer, hit it with this protective enamel, then (maybe) put some of that 3M "rubberized" wheelwell paint.

But, the directions on the primer and the enamel say to use in temperatures above 50 degrees, and it's about 35-40 right now, so I just put on the protective enamel for now to just temporarily stop the spread of the chipping/rusting (it's getting very close to the outside in some spots) for now until it warms up and I can do some real sanding and priming.  It doesn't look bad, either, it looks normal.  It's just...black.

Will put up pics when I'm done completely with my "masterpiece". 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I've been meaning to try this stuff... it's supposed to be the best:

http://www.por15.com/

[giant_mtb]

I've been meaning to try this stuff... it's supposed to be the best:

http://www.por15.com/

I sure hope it is for the prices they're asking...

25 bucks for a 15 oz. spray can of primer?  Bah.

Thanks for the suggestion, of course...it's interesting to read that stuff.

[The Pirate]

I bought this great rust-dissolver stuff back when I first got my car. It's bright pink gel; I swabbed it on with a q-tip and it turned all of my surface rust into black, easily-removeable chalky stuff. Then I used some 3M sanding blocks I got from a local Meijer to find bare metal, and brushed on some spray-can car primer I sprayed into an old yogurt tub (hey, I didn't want to bother masking :P)

Was it the rust-dissolver stuff naval jelly?  I need to touch up one of my wheelwells soon as the weather changes.

[Soup DeVille]

Was it the rust-dissolver stuff naval jelly?? I need to touch up one of my wheelwells soon as the weather changes.

Go to eastwoodco.com, their rust converter works very well.