Got an actual HOLE rusted through on the driver side rear wheel well, on top. 'Bout the size of a fist. Is there a good fix for this besides cutting and replacing with new metal? I know nothing of body work, what have you'all done about this apparently common problem?

Thanks!

 

you got to cut it out to fix it right.

 

Yeah if its rusted there, you can bet your *** its rusted everywhere else! You can patch it with new metal, but it will rust somewhere else in 2 months Get a new quarter panel

 

Ok, how does one get a new quarter panel? is this something that is removable, like from a boneyard? Sounds like a major deal.

 

qtr panel is not a "bolt on"....If I were you, with the model rx7 you have, I would do the best I could to cut out or get out the rust and patch it with bondo if you have to. Use one of those mesh screens so you do not have to gobs of bondo falling out. Yeah, its not the best way to go but, you really don't want to go replacing quarter panels because it will cost you a lot and I am not sure the value of the car is there. Patch it "yourself" with bondo, it may hold longer than you think if you get the rust out pretty well and enjoy the car....don't sink a lot on money into it unless it is some kind of collectible (ie: low miles, perfect interior , awesome paint job) ..just not worth it...good luck....cjf

 

Sounds like good advise. The interior is good, not great, the thing's had some body work, some paint doesn't match. But, it runs, and its the very first sports car I've ever had. I'll treat it like a family member with terminal cancer, keep it comfortable as long as I can.
Never used bondo before, any tips? Also, he 'mesh' you speak of, can I get that at an auto parts store? Thanks.

 

The mesh is ok for short term repair. If bondo comes in contact with the rusted metal it seems to bleed thru and bubble up in no time. If you want it to last you really need to cut out all of the rusted metal and either weld or pop rivet new metal in it's place. Using this method you only end up with a thin layer of bondo on top of the repaired area.

 

the mesh is like a screen on a window...helps support the bondo while it dries so it does not fall through the hole you have. it usually comes in the bondo can that you can buy at k-mart or walmart...go to the auto section and you will see..or try advance auto, they have bondo stuff. Again, keep in mind, bondo will do ok for awhile, and you may have to do it again in a few years but , you can slow the cancer down if you can get most of the bad stuff out and spray the rest of the area with that paint you buy in a spray can that turns rust to black primer...lokk in the store for that too...this is the cheapest way to go, for now. do it the best you can , and drive the car , have fun...don;t soak a lot of money into it or you may be sorry later.......unless, like I said, you have some kind of unusual car that has unusual value..I am going to guess your car maybe worth 800.00- 1200, depending on the model you have (an gsl-se is more)...good luck....cjf