Would you like to cover up your rusted Ford F150 fenders? A common problem with F150 trucks is rusty wheel wells caused by dirty and snowy roads.
It may also be caused by drivers’ negligence if they fail to wash off the dirt or mud as soon as possible. To fill holes and cracks due to rust, you can use rust reformer sprays, primers, neutralizer coats, and Bonds to fill the rust-caused holes and cracks.
To recover large areas of corroded metal, you can attach a new piece of metal. When removing corrosion, start with the cheapest methods, such as vinegar, baking soda, acid-base cleaners, and sandblasters.
How To Fix F150 Wheel Well Rust Step By Step
To fix the wheel well rust, you need a perfect workstation and tools. No matter where you want to do the processes, just be sure to take out tools that will require it.
You will need patience and energy to repair the rust in the wheel wells of the F-150. Is it possible to permanently fix the wheel well rust?
The problem can be easily repaired, even if it cannot be fixed permanently. So grab some good-quality tools and clean your F-150. The next step is to figure out how to fix wheel well rust in a Ford F150 truck correctly.
Here are the tools you’ll need:
- A piece of clean cloth
- A pair of safety gloves
- Safety masks
- Rust Reformer
- Block & Sandpaper
- Paint for topcoats
- Alcoholic rubs
- A Small size Brush
Step 1: Remove Rust From Wheel Wells By Sanding Them
Putting on safety gloves and masks is the first step. Our next step was to wash the F-150 truck with water until there was no dirt visible. Disconnect the plugs and clean the holes thoroughly. Wait a while for it to dry.
To smooth out the rusted parts, use sandpaper and a block. Do not apply much pressure to the surface. Just stroke it smoothly. For 15 minutes, we sanded continuously until the surface was smooth.
Step 2: Polish The Sanded Part With A Rust Reformer
To clean the cloth, rub alcohol on it and dip it in alcohol. After sanding, use a cloth to clean the surface.
To prevent rust from forming, we used a rust reformer on the wheel well’s rusted surface. In addition to covering and stopping rust, it also prevents it.
Don’t forget to spray only the rusted parts. After it has dried for 20-40 minutes, remove it. You will apply the primer after waiting 24 hours in the following steps.
Step 3: Sanded Areas Should Be Primed
Then we applied primer to the rusted surface. Be sure to sand down your primer before applying it if it needs sanding. Make sure the surface is even by smoothing it out with sandpaper.
After that, apply the primer and wait for 10-15 minutes. Then, dry out the surface according to the instructions provided by the primer manufacturer.
Step 4: Paint The Rusty Areas
The last step is to topcoat the primed surface with paint. To prevent wheel well rust, you should get rustproof paint. On the primed areas of the wheel well of the F-150, use a small brush to paint the paint.
Wait 30-60 minutes for the surface to dry. Three days is the recommended minimum time for top-coating another layer.
Fixing Ford F150 Wheel Well Rust With Different Methods
These foreign particles are protected from the tires by the wells. Further, it prevents sand and rock particles from damaging the pickup truck while off-roading.
There have been many complaints about corroded parts on Ford F150s. In addition, they are concerned because the affected area is also affected by holes and cracks.
1. Customize Your Fender Flares
The solution here will add protection and style to your truck while solving your problem quickly and easily.
You can cover that rust problem by installing some custom-made fender flares. Their ease of installation and great protection make them a great choice. But, before putting them on, make sure all the rust is removed.
2. Method Of Rust Reformation
Corrosion is removed with rust reformers, which are sprays that are specifically designed to do so. It is helpful to smoothen out the surface to make the affected area more stable and smoother.
Moreover, its chemical composition provides future protection. Iron and other metals will be inhibited from oxidizing with the tannic acid contained in the water base spray.
3. Use of Bondo
It is popular among mechanics to use Bondo to fill holes and cracks in surfaces that have been corroded. Plastic and talc are mixed to form a putty-like material.
In addition to adhering effectively to it, it does not require primer. You can use an electric sander for sanding the area instead of parking your truck in your garage.
Bondo can be applied to the holes using a stick. To achieve a textured appearance, sand the area again after applying Bondo. Spray paints and nozzle paints can be used to paint a textured surface.
4. Use Sandblaster
By spraying sand with high pressure, sandblasters clean and clear surfaces that have been corroded.
Sandblasters should be used to repair rusty wells after removing the wheels and bearings. The sandblaster should be turned on, and the sand should be sprayed with short strokes.
As the nozzle moves from the sides to the affected areas, it focuses on them. Because of this, the metals are not damaged, but they appear textured instead. The look of a smooth surface can be achieved with a clear coat or spray paint.
5. Clean With Acid-Based Products
There is a common practice of using acid-based cleaners for wheel wells. Cleaners such as these contain strong acids that dissolve corrosion and prevent further corrosion.
When these parts appear brownish or blackish after 2 to 3 months, you can use them frequently. Surfaces are cleaned after applying these cleaners, and holes are prevented from forming.
6. Baking Soda Or White Vinegar Might Work
In addition to treating mildly corroded surfaces at home, many people also use these methods. When the metal is not deeply penetrated, you can try them.
A large crack, hole, or patch can’t be repaired using these home-based methods. In addition, these methods can only be helpful in the early stages of an oxidation reaction when only a color change is seen on the exterior wheel wells.
In a large bowl, combine white vinegar and warm water. You can use this sponge to clean the corroded area after dipping it into the solution.
Vinegar contains acetic acids that help erode corrosion. If that does not work, try mixing baking soda with water.
7. Utilization Of The Extend Rust Neutralizer
Various coatings are used to protect the metal from corrosion by acting as extended rust neutralizers. In addition, repainting the surface is easier now that the surface is coated with a milky, latex-like coating that acts as a primer.
Before extending the treatment, you must brush affected areas with a wire brush. Only the less damaged and exposed areas will benefit from this method.
Wheel wells are left with large patches and marks that it does not cover. Rusted areas can be easily cleaned with the wire brush’s hard metal wires.
Apply the extended rust neutralizer once you have ripped the electrical wires off. Blocking the oxidation processes by turning corrosion into black is helpful.
If this blackish material looks awkward on your truck, you can apply a clear coat to give it a furnished, new appearance.
8. Adding A New Metal Piece
In some cases, rust consumes a large portion of the metallic area and leaves large patches. There are large patches that you cannot cover with putty or primer.
Replace the old metal piece with a new one and attach it to the affected surface. Once the corrosion is removed from the sides, take the electronic sander to remove it.
Using an electrical cutter, cut down the most affected area. First, cut down the piece of metal sheet that you purchased from the market.
Use small nuts and bolts to attach this new metal piece. Additionally, this surface must be painted in order not to resemble another.
What Is The Cost Of Repairing Wheel Well Rust?
Taking care of your car can be expensive. However, there is no need to worry about wheel well rust repair being too expensive. Fixing this problem yourself is of course, the most economical option.
It will cost around $60 to purchase the required materials if you don’t already have them. You can expect to pay between $200 and $2,000 if the damage is more extensive and you need to see a mechanic.
What Can You Do To Prevent Rust On Ford F150 Wheel Wells?
These parts of the pickup truck should be protected from corrosion since it gives the exterior of the truck an aged appearance, which reduces its resale value.
- Apply Protective Coatings And Sprays To The Undercarriage
In addition, undercarriage sprays can be used on the lower side of the chassis structure to prevent oxidation reactions. A protective coating also protects the most exposed components of the vehicle on these sides in the latest models.
- The Importance Of Proper Drying After Washing
There is a tendency among people not to allow their trucks to dry completely after washing them. Surface erosion occurs when the metal surface is exposed to excessive dryness or water. For proper drying, it is necessary to leave them in an airy area for a few hours.
- Routine Maintenance: Every Week
Clean their metal surfaces weekly and prevent rust from forming on them by planning the maintenance schedule. Dust and dirt can be removed from their surfaces by washing them with pressure water at home.
During driving, mud gets stuck in them, but the pressured water removes it. It is recommended that you clean their surfaces every week or two using acid-based cleaners.
Ford F150 Wheel Well Rust: What Causes It?
Several factors can cause rusty Ford truck wheel wells.
- Defected Clear Coat
To give these structures a furnished appearance, a clear coat is applied. But, on the other hand, a scratch causes these coats to start to wear out.
In the presence of oxidative chemicals, scratches form on these surfaces. In addition, the paint and clear coat layers may also be dissolved when harsh acids are used to clean these surfaces.
- Salts And Water Exposure
Driving on the roads during rainy seasons exposes wheel wells to acid rainwater, which results in rust.
A metal surface is also subjected to oxidation reactions in the winter due to moisture on the roads and road salts. This problem is also caused by exposure to mud from dirt roads.
Final Words
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to fix wheel well rust on your F150. Instead, you can choose a method depending on how easy or challenging it is for you. A new piece could be welded in, or you could cut it out and weld it back in.
If you don’t want to cut it out, you could Bondo it. However, it is unlikely to last long. As soon as it cracked, it started rusting again. You will have to watch for it to rust again if you coast it out and slap flares on it.
Rust spreads rapidly even with fender flares. The best thing to do would be to get a whole box or cut it out and place a patch panel on it.
Putting spray foam or rags behind it and Bonding it would be the cheapest solution, but it won’t last that long.