Infamous rear fender rust dodge 2500 2005 4x4

[Randys]

I know the best fix is replacing both fenders, but I can't afford $960 for unpainted panels, both sides have rust on them, one side has rust on the backside of the panel and the other one only has rust on the surface both have paint cracking and bubbling. My plan for attack was for $100 a buddy of mine who does decent body work said he can cut the rust, and some how put metal or body filler and patch and paint it so it looks factory. Then after he is done I planned on spraying a rubbery paint on the back of the pannel so hopefully rust doesn't come back. What do you guys think? Also I don't wanna do the fender flare modification, they look godawful in my opinion.

 

[EWC88]

If he is cutting it out, I would get POR-15 and while the piece is cut out paint the inside with POR and also pint that back side of the metal patch with POR.

 

[05daytona]

Actually I would do it with newer technology than POR-15. You need to go with a product called Piklex20 which converts the rust then coat it with ZeroRust for a permanent repair. Here's some info on both.

Picklex 20 FAQ
Official Distributor for Zero-Rust Paints Free Shipping on internet orders of one gallon or more | Best solution for rust removal and cotrol

 

[hotkarl]

You need to treat the back of the panel. Whatever brand/product you use make sure it is one of the good ones like por 15. Rust-Oleum and undercoating will not cut it. No matter how nice you take care of the outside it won't matter. The rust will come back with a vengeance.

If you remove the useless little plastic wheel well guard and the tail light you can get pretty good access to address behind the panel. You can also pull the gas filler neck. Depending on how flexible you are you may have to use a combination of spray products and brush on products. I'm a por 15 fan, been using their stuff for a very very long time so I am a little biased. I like to brush it on wherever possible and get the nooks/crannies with the spray can products.