Any car body repair do-it-your-selfers?

M'Bob · Dec 9, 2022

Our third car we use for around town errands and other short trips. Don’t want to junk it quite yet, but the rust by the fenders is preventing a successful re-inspection.

For those who have dabbled: would you remove the rust (with what? Wire brush?), fill with mesh or body filler? Any tips? Many thanks.

Canuck · Dec 9, 2022

I’d be looking at the local auto scrap yards for a pair of fenders if it was my car. Rocker panels also. Then, sand it down, a “rattle can”of primer, a quick spray of an appropriate colour, and you’re done.

Larry S · Dec 9, 2022

Wire brush, Scraper then Dremel the bad material away. Prime and then rebuild with bondo or fiberglass, sand, prime paint. Might rivet some SS wire mesh as a frame to glass or putty over. I doubt Illinois would want to take this off the road. You are in Florida right? Florida gives a s..t about rust fenders?

janice&fred · Dec 9, 2022

Larry S
Wire brush, Scraper then Dremel the bad material away. Prime and then rebuild with bondo or fiberglass, sand, prime paint. I doubt Illinois would want to take this off the road. You are in Florida right? Florida gives a s..t about rust fenders?

No inspections in Florida. Must be somewhere north where they's strict.

Canuck
Rocker panels also.

And how would you suggest a do-it-yourselfer replace the rocker panels?

CJpickup57 · Dec 9, 2022

What year, make model are we talking about here?

- 17year parts manager

morethan1 · Dec 9, 2022

This is a big job...youtube will be helpful here.

M'Bob · Dec 9, 2022

CJpickup57
What year, make model are we talking about here?

- 17year parts manager

Camry, 1997. Thanks.

janice&fred · Dec 9, 2022

morethan1
This is a big job...youtube will be helpful here.

We did bodywork for many years in my shop in CT. For Bob I would suggest he go with his initial thought. Simply cut out as much rust as practical, then pop rivet some home-made-to-shape tin panels to approximate the original shape of the panel (fender bottom). Try to keep the repairs negative, that is slightly lower than the original surface so body filler can be used to simulate the original panel. Sand smooth and spray paint the white color. For the rocker panel damage in the picture it's best to simply fill with body filler then sand and paint. The better it looks the less the inspectors will pay attention. Of course my suggestions are for home repairs, as shop repairs will be much higher quality with welded repair panels and proper recoating of repairs.

Evitzee · Dec 9, 2022

Which state considers this kind of situation a safety issue to deny reregistration? That's a real stretch. Almost all of these state inspections are just rackets.

CJpickup57 · Dec 9, 2022

DIY panel repair kit to go along with @janice&fred's idea: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115105595226
- Cut to whatever size/length you want to deal with then use filler, paint or not.

Fender(s). Link is specifically right side (passenger): https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI4rz84JPt-wIVErfICh398Qo2EAQYBCABEgKeTfD_BwE
- Bottom of the fender dog leg is gone on both sides is part of the fender not actual rocker panel (just in case that was not known, not trying to be a smart aleck). Then you could paint them and install.

OEM color match paint: https://www.touchupzone.com/product...yota&tuz_model=Camry+LE&tuz_color=Super+White
- There are many companies that do it. I have used this company before so I suggest them over others that I have not done business with myself.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me and I can do my best to help.

p4ul · Dec 9, 2022

FFS guys…….

M'Bob · Dec 9, 2022

Thanks, gents. Will body filler stick to rust, or do I have to get it down to the bare metal?

CJpickup57
DIY panel repair kit to go along with @janice&fred's idea: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115105595226
- Cut to whatever size/length you want to deal with then use filler, paint or not.

Fender(s). Link is specifically right side (passenger): https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI4rz84JPt-wIVErfICh398Qo2EAQYBCABEgKeTfD_BwE
- Bottom of the fender dog leg is gone on both sides is part of the fender not actual rocker panel (just in case that was not known, not trying to be a smart aleck). Then you could paint them and install.

OEM color match paint: https://www.touchupzone.com/product...yota&tuz_model=Camry+LE&tuz_color=Super+White
- There are many companies that do it. I have used this company before so I suggest them over others that I have not done business with myself.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me and I can do my best to help.

Thanks much for these links, appreciated.

pdxleaf · Dec 9, 2022

99% of the time rust will come back. THose are bad enough you need to cut it out.

For lighter surface rust spots you sand down to bare clean metal then you can apply a 3M rust inhibiter. Prime and paint. But even that you need to watch. I did this whenever a rock chip popped up on my old rides. Sometimes it took years for rust to reappear. Yours are too far gone, frankly.

Vercingetorix · Dec 9, 2022

Sell it somewhere they don’t inspect, and buy something else. You’re wasting your time and money fixing it on the cheap.

janice&fred · Dec 9, 2022

Vercingetorix
Sell it somewhere they don’t inspect, and buy something else. You’re wasting your time and money fixing it on the cheap.

How so? A simple driveway fix could be done for less than $100 and it will get another year or so worth of service out of the car. Selling where there is no inspection is impractical unless done online and super cheap.

Donn Chambers · Dec 9, 2022

Are you sure the frame underneath hasn’t rusted as well? Because if it has any points as bad as that, the car is pretty much done for.

janice&fred · Dec 9, 2022

Donn Chambers
Are you sure the frame underneath hasn’t rusted as well? Because if it has any points as bad as that, the car is pretty much done for.

Those Toyotas are unibody-no frame. If the rust was a safety issue it would have to basically penetrate the floor and suspension mounts. A quick peek under the car would easily reveal that kind of problem but coming from the northeast I have seen plenty of Toyotas with cosmetic rust and solid undersides so I think Bob is ok in that respect.

noelekal · Dec 9, 2022

Just don't use a piece of corrugated box as a fill in piece.

I once turned down a bank loan request to finance purchase a 1968 Camaro SS because I didn't like the looks of the exterior restoration.

Turned out that pieces of corrugated paper boxes were used to repair terminal rust and the entire mess was Bondo-ed in and sprayed.

Wasn't difficult to detect during an inspection of the collateral offered.

M'Bob · Dec 9, 2022

janice&fred
How so? A simple driveway fix could be done for less than $100 and it will get another year or so worth of service out of the car. Selling where there is no inspection is impractical unless done online and super cheap.

My thoughts exactly. Just want to squeeze a couple more years out of it before I have to raid the watch budget and pony up for another depreciating asset.