Rust on wheel arch -Should I get it sorted?

OpenToSuggestions · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:17

After a morning of washing and waxing the micra I noticed on the front passenger arch that the lip of the body panel that goes under the arch is bubbled and it is starting to come around to the visible area of the panel. No rust has broken the paintwork as of yet.

The car is a year 2000 micra. Yes its old, slow and not worth a great deal, but I start a placement next week (for a year, followed by another year of uni) and would like the car to last me until I graduate without looking like a rusty heap. The car has only done 32000 miles, is spotless underneath and after a good wax is a nice shiney red again. If you could not see the reg plate you would think it was a few years newer than it is due to the condition.

Should I bother getting the arch sorted? Or is it just a waste of time?
I can provide pics tomorrow if need be.

Alex UK · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:19

If the car is mint then I'd try and keep it that way.

OpenToSuggestions · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:22

Alex UK said:
If the car is mint then I'd try and keep it that way.

It pretty much is, the odd trolley ding but everything works and in 4 years of ownership all that broke is the window would not wind up.

Rich1988 · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:38

I would almost certainly do something to it, even it it was sanding it back treating the rust and then primering again, nothing worse than letting a car rust away!

meady100 · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:39

Yeah I would do it if you can afford to. It's somehow depressing seeing rust!

OpenToSuggestions · 23 Aug 2009 at 23:49

Rich1988 said:
I would almost certainly do something to it, even it it was sanding it back treating the rust and then primering again, nothing worse than letting a car rust away!

I really would not have a clue how to do this correctly. If it was sorted and the area repainted, wouldn't it strand out a mile as it would be a slightly different shade of red?

Clarkey · 24 Aug 2009 at 00:10

I'd just keep my eyes peeled for a good condition wing in the same colour and buy it. Easier, won't have a colour match problem, and for a Micra almost certainly cheaper than repairing, even DIY.

aproctor · 24 Aug 2009 at 00:54

In regards to rust repair the quicker you sort it the cheaper it will be.

If it is just a bit of rust in a non structural area it may just need sanding down, zinc priming and painting.

If it has spread it will need all the rust cutting away some welding, zinc priming, filling and painting.

I would imagine if it is small it will cost £50 at best, £100 at worst.

A tip in regards to where to look, think of cars that have rust issues and go on a forum and see the garages nationwide they recommend i.e. MX5 OC.

BigglesPiP · 24 Aug 2009 at 00:56

I'd have a good poke around underneath 1st, inner wings, floors and cills.

If any of these are going the same way, I would trade up. If it's rock solid I'd consider repairing without replacing the panels.

Sindri · 24 Aug 2009 at 01:18

I wouldn't risk leaving it for 2 years especially if its starting to bubble under the arch, as when u drive in the rain the wheel will be spraying loads of water at. Just take it to a local crash repair garage and get a quote.

OpenToSuggestions · 24 Aug 2009 at 12:24

BigglesPiP said:
I'd have a good poke around underneath 1st, inner wings, floors and cills.

If any of these are going the same way, I would trade up. If it's rock solid I'd consider repairing without replacing the panels.

It is rock solid. The underneath of the car is spotless.

iaind · 24 Aug 2009 at 12:30

Might it still be covered under the anti-perforation warranty?

OpenToSuggestions · 24 Aug 2009 at 12:46

iaind said:
Might it still be covered under the anti-perforation warranty?

The car was made in Nov 2000. I doubt theres any warrenty on anything

iaind · 24 Aug 2009 at 12:48

mglover070588 said:
The car was made in Nov 2000. I doubt theres any warrenty on anything

The perforation warranty on my car is 10 or 12 years I think - worth checking!

iaind · 24 Aug 2009 at 12:49

http://www.nissan-aftersales.co.uk/warranty/nissan-vehicle

Perforation from corrosion warranty – Covers inside to outside perforation 6 or 12 Unlimited

Dogbreath · 24 Aug 2009 at 16:45

iaind said:
The perforation warranty on my car is 10 or 12 years I think - worth checking!

You will almost certainly find that the car has to be inspected by the dealer every year (at your cost) to keep the warranty active.

OpenToSuggestions · 25 Aug 2009 at 19:43

Clarkey said:
I'd just keep my eyes peeled for a good condition wing in the same colour and buy it. Easier, won't have a colour match problem, and for a Micra almost certainly cheaper than repairing, even DIY.

Are wings easy to swap?
I would give it a go, but I just have such little experience with working on a car.
Would the bay be the best place to look?

EDIT: I have just had a really good look. The panel in question fits ok (not perfect), but I have a feeling it got in a scrape before I owned it. Under each wheel arch the lip of metal should be tucked up tightly against the plastic in the wheel arch. This one is not tight, there is a 1mm gap. There are bolts holding the top of the wing on but I have no idea if the bottom of the wing is welded or not. The rust is due to the panel not being fitted exactly right.