What do yall think about patch panels for my 95 f150 reg cab long bed? I want to avoid buying bed sides or a new bed due to a small budget.

 

If you don't care so much about what it looks like, here's the smallest budget approach..... Cut the existing rust back to good metal and hit it with a grinder, wire-wheel, file, etc so that it's de-burred and you're not left with a machete as a wheel arch. After power-washing out all the debris, treat it with whatever your favorite "paint over rust" type of paint is - try to get it as deep down into the valleys as much as possible. Done.

Leaving the arch seam open like this, you'll be able to more readily power-wash in there on a regular basis and get the gunk out that accelerates rust development. Again, this assumes you're not planning on entering an beauty contests.

 

Thanks brad, but the problem is is that on the right rear fender the rust goes almost up to that body line that runs about 4" below the top of the bed. I had thought about cutting the fenders in the rear.

 

Cut, patch and then buy fluid film or spray used motor oil all over the insides when your done. It wont ever rust again.

 

Ive heard about doing that with used oil, ill be replacing my front quarters altogether so ill try this out on them when i get them!

 

Sounds like the "tin worm" has been dining for quite a while. Have you checked the integrity of your spring shackles and the frame itself? I'd hate to see you invest a bunch of time and effort into something that is too far gone.

 

Wrong. It will rust again..... but later.


Used motor oil only seals up, it doesn't penetrate. You don't want rust anymore? Spray it everyyear with a penetrant. I'd heard ATF works nice.

I use Krown here in Canada. Probably the best rust preventor ever created.

 

The truck altogether is solid. Just the typical ford tin rotting away. After all the truck is 17 years old. The frame is in great shape. Ill undercoat the truck or at least the frame under the bed when i pull it off for repairs.

 

Undercoat is probably the WOST thing that you can do. It traps moisture and rots the panel out

 

A big X2 to what Brad said!

 

Well what do you recommend to use to seal the metal? I dont want to just leave it bare

 

Tranny oil works good. I've heard alot of guys on here using something called Petroleum Jelly or something like that and having really good results from it also. Never tryed it, or even seen it for that matter.

 

Ive heard of using the jelly. Got a bottle in fact.

 

I like paint. You dont wash it off and have to retreat like all the "oils"