Hello,

I have an 04 f150 that is starting to show some rust in the rear wheel wells. Right now there is just a bit of rust where the painted panel is seamed to the inner panel around the arch, but I can see small spots where the paint is starting to bubble about an inch out on the outside of the panel. I want to keep this thing looking nice for a few more years; what should I do?

I'm a very good welder, can hold my own when turning wrenches, have done lots of metal fabrication as well as painting with a cup gun, but I have very little autobody experience.

I am thinking there is rust between the inner and outer panels and that removing the surface rust and repainting would be a very temporary repair, correct? Could I cover it up with some sort of wheel well liner? If so, how to I slow the existing rust? Is there any sort of partial preformed steel panel/well that allow you to cut off the rusty stuff and weld new stuff on? I'm a little leary of the last thought- I could do the fabbing, but not sure how I'd do getting it back to 'smooth'

TIA for suggestions- jim

 

I'm not sure of a patch panel on this body style, but I'm sure 1/4 panels are available from Ford or a vendor such as Crash Parts. It might be less expensive to locate a used rust free bed and paint it to match.

 

I would say that the used rust free bed would be the best route. You can probably find one pretty cheap.

I guess I am just used to living down here in the south, but it amazes me that truck that is only 7-8 years old can have rusted panels on it. You can get away with washing a vehicle once a year down here and never have to worry about rust.

 

While that is true you can get away with washing it in the south once a year but you should rinse the wheel wells every so often.