How much rust damage do we just ignore.

[MrJTP]

This shot is looking up at the bottom of a turnsignal bucket. In 68, as well as other years, the turn signal bucket was welded to the fender. It appears that there was some minor damage to this area at some point and things got mangled just enough to allow rust to set in. There are two small rust holes on the fender and several more larger ones on the turnsig bucket. The entire fender including this bucket are coated with a thick layer of some asphalt based undercoating, (Ziebart?? Dunno, the PO did it). So this damage (and the usual spot at the bottom near the door post) is the only damage on the fender.

So, what do you think? Break the welds and !FIX! it ALL or just clean it up, treat it and close the holes up (JB Weld, lead, MIG, glass, whatever) and get on with the project.

I personally am leaning toward pulling the bucket off, fixing the bucket, fixing the fender and putting it all back together. But maybe that just because I'm a retired engineer with 20 years in aerospace and I'm used to massive overkill. Would it be worth it?

[chris911sc]

I am not a restorer but I am a collison repair tech and I would probably fix the fender with it all together. It looks at though the damaged part is easily accessible. Just use some good weld through primer and remember to recoat the backside to prevent the rust from reforming on the the bare metal around where you patched it. If you insist on drilling the bucket out, remember you will have a hell of a time making the mig welds look factory if you are that picky.

[Axiom]

Hey Tony: I have restored a good amount of long hoods, and I tell you, I have not yet seen one without any rust, moisture is a *****, and Chis911sc is right, you are gonna have to do your best Michelangelo and repair the fender as one, trying to separate the pieces may destroy one or the other.