How to fix these rust, I was told these fenders can't be safe.

[Burint]

Hello,
I am writing to you from bangkok and need help on my rusty fenders.
After the 74 Targa was striped to the bare metal,
I can see many tiny holes all over the fenders.
The paint shop said, he cannot give warranty on his paint job will last more than 3 years if I insist him to continue work on this problem surface. He also told these 2 fenders are virtually worthless to keep.
How is this kind of problem being treated in the U.S.?
Will there be some kind of chemical treatment that can stop rust?

I an thinking of re- galvanize it, we can do this in Bangkok.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Burint

[cdrik915]

On my opinion ,

The real problem is that the rust is BEHIND the front fenders ; the solution is changing these by new parts , or parts without rust at all.

[Zeke]

The surface pin holes are not a problem if the prime coats are done properly (and I mean properly. The others holes require expert repair in that metal must be cut out and new metal welded in. In as much as this is quite a bit of labor, another set of fenders might be better. However, these cars are getting old and good fenders are harder to find.

[Burint]

Milt,
I had the same thoughts as yours. As long as the primer are done properly and I wish both of us were correct. I had the second opinion from the very reputable paint shop, they have done many of concours vintage cars. They also said if the pin holes are visible more than 50% of the area, it might be a good idea to replace with the new parts.

[SXSMAN]

I'd also agree with Milt .

However I'm not always ready to" throw in the towel " ( quit ) on a project like this .

On something like this I'd lead the area . ( There are now non-toxic forms of lead today ) .

Again , preparation is key .

Think eastwood offers a kit still . Although I doubt the shop it's at would allow you to work on it there .

Burint , you may also want to ask over at the Paint and bodywork forum .

Good luck on your project , SxS

[EarlyPorsche]

If you can weld in a patch for the hole then a skim coat should make the pin holes go away. Of course its hard for me to give you an accurate idea from just a picture.

[afterburn 549]

What I think I know.........you can fix anything.......but the economix comes into play as which will be most effective.
The time it will take to fix lots of pin holes and hope they do not blister up latter.........warrants at least some better parts
They are just fenders and need to be pulled off anyway
TMO

[RWebb]

how hard is it to find fenders in Bangkok ??

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I had much the same situation, same location, that you do Burint, except it was the left front fender. Cleaned and primed it as carefully as I could, but three years later, the rust has burst through the paint with a vengeance, big bubbles.

I bought a replacement fender from PartsHeaven for $500, am about to repaint it and install it. Shoulda done that in the first place.

[Zeke]

Just noticed the misspelling in the title: ..."can't be safe." Funny when you think about it.

Rust lives in the tiniest hole. These fenders will have to be treated with acid moments before an epoxy or other high quality primer is sprayed on a completely dry and neutralized fender. Not an easy task, but one that can be accomplished with heaters and a heated booth. A light sandblasting in tight spots to clear out any buried rust is advised.

Once I made the mistake of sandblasting a whole fender when the company said the compound curves would hold the shape and not get wavy. Well, the fender didn't get wavy, but the flange grew so that the angle changed so much that mounting was three times as hard than if I had left them alone. I had to shrink them back to straight or have a bodacious fender to hood gap. Only spot blasting for me.

[Burint]

Rwebb: How difficult to find the fenders in Thailand?
SC No C2 No, Turbo No, 66-74 very difficult.
Milt: Missspelling "can't be safe"
you mean has to be "can't be saved" thanks for the correction, after all these years.

Many thanks for good advice.
None of you guys mention about re-galvanizing.
Should this fix the problem or I am dreaming.
Burint

[MikeDL]

Do you have specifics about the cost of replacement fenders to you in Thailand (shipped from US) ? Here, repairing those fenders properly would probably cost more than buying replacements.

Based on the looks of the headlight area I would fear the area behind the doubled up section at the back of the fender.

[Burint]

MikeDL
The total paint job+rust repairing, patching, spraying is about $4000.00
This cost for the top end paint shop is around $6500.00
Wait until you hear this.
the average price for the 74-84 P. car here is $39000.00
Yes, I am thinking about put up the WTB for 2 front and 2 rear fenders 1974.

[SCWDP911]

I just saw a couple on eBay this morning, I think they end today...

[SCWDP911]

Also, on one of the California craigslist, there is a set of SC flares for sale I believe, but I am not sure if you are planning on stock or flared...

[diverdan]

I'm not a body guy, but how well would the old school guys do with lead filler? Body guys, I'd love to hear your take on the reliability of the old school ways. Also, do the guys in Eaton Rapids make the fenders? Is there anything from China yet? Or..............How about a long hood conversion?

diverdan