How to Repair a Rusted Wheel Arch

Rear wheel arch rot is common in a lot of vehicles, and especially in pickup trucks. The rear tires spray water around, and road dirt, grime, and salt build up in the area between the inner and outer panels. This grime buildup can hold moisture which will eventually start to corrode the panels from the inside out. In pickups it's even worse because manufacturers spray a "sound deadening" material into this area. This material acts like a sponge that holds moisture. In a fairly short amount of time, that moisture will rust through the outer wheel arch of your truck, and you'll start seeing bubbles in the paint. Unfortunately, by the time you see the bubbles it's too late. The damage has already started. The good news is that there are wheel arch repair panels, and wheelhouse repair panels, that can help you fix this area. If you have a rusty wheel arch, this video shows you one way of repairing a rusted wheel arch.

We Love Punk Rock by WinnieTheMoog

The Whip (Extended Version) by Kevin MacLeod

[dragshoe]

Pretty much exactly what I need to do with my old bronco. Thanks for the expert technique. You make this job seem very approachable.

[leeirvin]

I recently bought 2 wheel arches and another lower panel from Ray Bucks. Top quality panels, made the job a 100 times easier. Thank you Ray Bucks. I recommend you to everyone I know.

[esroot]

This was an excellent video. Will be ordering from you guys—love that you have wheel arch parts not the entire panel.

[niiko_]

Just bought my wheel arches from you guys and I will definitely try some of these tips and tricks.
Have a good one!

[alexrowdy]

Welding with naked hands is priceless !

[Klwjjj]

That’s one nice repair. Thought out nice and clean work.

[briardan]

I really like the way this was shown and narrated over the work. The music ... meh. But I don't really like background music on repair videos. Especially when it's repetitious. I could just be getting old and cranky. LOL

Great video!

[charvakkarpe]

This is great. I would have liked to see the paint blending steps too.

[digitalldreamer]

Amazing work! Old timer doing all the work needs to wear some type of REPORATOR, SUPER toxic! LOL

[onlywenilaugh]

Cutting wheel guard tool is your friend. That wheel breaks and it's going to embed in his head or face or wherever it hits. Thanks for the video.

[DMSpano]

I'm new to all of this, but so very cool and I am going to try this on my Ram. Great video!!!

[rustyshacklefordspocketsqu]

prime at 240- 320. 400 is the max, anything after that it peels

[sdoyal]

Good info but next time PLEASE CUT OFF THE MUSIC

[shalee]

Take the tail lights out and spray oil in there and it will never rust , Tim

[annettesurfer]

That "chisel" is a Steck SeamBuster model 20015 and I'd use a wooden handle to help align the edges to weld rather than steel. I'm not a fan of lapping the patch, butting (like Fitzee on YT) would've eliminated 99% of the body filler. I would've used a panel bonding adhesive instead of seam sealer. Back to the SeamBuster, it's great to use as a can opener to remove panels from donor vehicles in scrap yards where torches and grinders aren't allowed. I once cut out entire wheel wells to transplant. Slices 'em out quickly. Using the Steck on a windshield pinch weld was a bit more difficult but doable.

[PREDATOR]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I totally disagree with cutting the whole section in my case the driver side quarter pane due to the amount of work required when cutting the whole area.

[cdb]

A little over the top for a 2012 vehicle rust repair
The end result is nice.

[clterry]

i like the editorial on rust and manufacturing ... yes sir you are correct on the foam spray for noise deadening ... dumb move but good for body shops lol

[wideglide]

I looked on your website but you don’t have anything for my 2016 ram 1500 bed wheel well. Just started getting rust. Well last yr and was thinking I should fix before it gets to bad.

[christbane]

welding sheet metal to rusty parts. fucking brilliant.