Alright, I knew the car had this when I bought it but I still haven't done anything about it yet. I'd like to get it fixed early in 2008 but need some pointers.

1) Why does this repair look like this? It looks as if there's a good 1" thick chunk of filler in there in a patch that's maybe 3 or 4" tall by 4 or 5" long. You can see it's started cracking away at the bottom possibly with more rust forming in there.

2) How much do ya'll figure the bill will be to repair it to a non-rusted shape? Keep in mind I don't need it to be painted or rock-guarded again, it's an area normally covered by sideskirts.

Is this a common rust area in FD's? There's no rust on the rest of the car so I'm left wondering why the hell it's like this just in the one spot? A previous crash maybe?

Thanks!

 

yuck, what a horrible botch job of a repair!

I have no rust, so cannot comment on common problem areas. The obvious answer is that rust can occur in any place where the protective zinc coating/undercoat/paint has been comprimised. Bare metal oxidises very quickly and will rust.

The repair you have shown looks like a backyard job. If this was my car, I would get a cheap fix and get rid of it. If you got a bargain and want to keep the car, then I would sugggest you take it somewhere and request that the entire panel be changed.

Good luck

 

You'd sell the car over a 5" long crappy repair?!

I don't think that the entire quarter panel needs to be changed as the only bad area is where the rock guard is, extending maybe 4 or 5 inches down the length of the panel.

The photos really make it look bigger than it is, the nasty area would fit in the palm of someone's hand.

Ideas on cost for a quick fix job? Again it's staying covered with sideskirts, I just want the spread of the rust stopped and possibly get the panel back level so it doesn't look quite so nasty if I ever have to take the skirts off. Doesn't need to be color matched or rock guarded.

 

You do need it to be painted even though the area will be covered with sideskirts. Bondo or any type of filler material will absorb moisture and the car will rust again.

 

best places to go for rust repair are shops that do custom muscle/hot rods and also restorations..... you might pay a little more than what a body shop would charge but its an almost guarantee that the job will look like nothing has ever happened

 

use fiberglass i use it on all my rust repairs and its waterproof

 

If it can wait and you want the easiest/most effective answer, go to your local Mazda Parts dealer (if you've got one around)
Spend a few dollars and go with a new fender. You can get it at cost for 230.00 if you know the parts guys.
Color matched, you'll have to go to a paint shop, or have a really good friend that owns a body/paint shop hook you up.
Good luck with that