r129 rust in both front wheel arches

[R129mine]

i finally got round to putting my summer tyres back and i noticed rust on both front wheel arches.

it is right at the edge of the wheel arch and has started to spread along the bottom bit just above the bumper.

having read a few threads about rust and repairing it and it then returning whether it would be better to replace both front wheel arches. any idea how much this would cost for a r129 from 1996?

or has anyone had this issue with a r129 and successfully repaired the front wheel arches.
thanks

 

[redbaron]

i finally got round to putting my summer tyres back and i noticed rust on both front wheel arches.

it is right at the edge of the wheel arch and has started to spread along the bottom bit just above the bumper.

having read a few threads about rust and repairing it and it then returning whether it would be better to replace both front wheel arches. any idea how much this would cost for a r129 from 1996?

or has anyone had this issue with a r129 and successfully repaired the front wheel arches.
thanks

One of mine is bubbling round the repeater... am wondering the same... repair or replace... dont get me wrong dont have a quibble with it rusting at 15 years old. Just dont want arepair for it to go again in 2-3 years.

 

[Bluebell]

Just had mine done on a 2001 SL500, OEM replacement wings £270 each (was warned that genuine MB ones are the only way to go) then approx £500 for painting, fitting etc. Bodyshop painted them off the car and the match is perfect.

Hope this helps.

 

[CKLclive]

Just had mine done on a 2001 SL500, OEM replacement wings £270 each (was warned that genuine MB ones are the only way to go) then approx £500 for painting, fitting etc. Bodyshop painted them off the car and the match is perfect.

Hope this helps.

Even if they are OEM wings they will rust in time and it will start on the inner sharp edge as always unless they are treated beyond spec

 

[redbaron]

Even if they are OEM wings they will rust in time and it will start on the inner sharp edge as always unless they are treated beyond spec

Everything rusts in the end....

 

[CKLclive]

Everything rusts in the end....

Not if its done right and the correct materials are used

 

[DanSL]

Clive; would you say that if the rust isn't to severe and is traeted properly then new wings shouldn't be necessary?

 

[grober]

Could I ask what colour your car is. You can often get away with limited repairs/ paint wise [ as a DIY spray can job for example] for a " holding period" if you have a dark metallic for example. Lighter metallics such as Silver are very hard to match accurately and are not amenable to this type of approach. If cost is no object AND you intend keeping the car a considerable time then of course new wings and a professional paint job is the way to go. Its important to factor in the condition the rest of the car is in when doing your costing calculation. Bear in mind also that your immaculate new paint finish may only last till your next visit to TESCO's car park!

 

[DanSL]

My car is light blue.

 

[grober]

Would really need the paint code, but if its a metallic then its possibly "borderline" for a reasonable DIY finish. If you have no experience in this field then best left to the pros.

 

[CKLclive]

Clive; would you say that if the rust isn't to severe and is traeted properly then new wings shouldn't be necessary?

Yes that is the case and have saved many OEM wings through my process

 

[R129mine]

mine is

colour code 5366 azuritblau mica

 

[redbaron]

mine is

colour code 5366 azuritblau mica

mine too

 

[Doodle]

mine is

colour code 5366 azuritblau mica

mine too

It's a popular colour

 

[grober]

I would venture Azurite Blue is a definite DIY colour for small areas due to the intensity of the base colour. BUT you do need reasonable experience of aerosol can painting/masking/finishing to carry it off to reasonable standard.

 

[jgs600]

sorry to crash in on this but my 1998 w202 c250 estate has the normal rust on the front arches and tailgate. as the car is white would this colour make it harder or easier to diy myself as my local bodyshop man has quoted me 500 pounds to do the lot

cheers

 

[grober]

As a DIY guy I found the 2 solid colours hardest to match were red and white. Red because it ages badly and thus can be difficult to match and white because there is no such thing as "white" white just many varieties of subtle "off whites " and it seems particularly sensitive to the primer undercoat colour. Based on my limited experience dating back a few years now I would say could be difficult. Others may have had more recent success??

 

[NW_Merc]

sorry to crash in on this but my 1998 w202 c250 estate has the normal rust on the front arches and tailgate. as the car is white would this colour make it harder or easier to diy myself as my local bodyshop man has quoted me 500 pounds to do the lot

cheers

Ideally, if you showed pictures it would help. My pre-facelift W202 is white and I used the Halfords Polar Mercedes White with no problems. Don't wet sand the paint work at all after application as it makes it go grey. Instead build up the paintwork gradually so as to avoid orange peel effects.

You may save yourself a few bob if you were to do the prep yourself i.e. take the front wings off, grind back the rust to 'good' metal on the wings and the tailgate then jenolite, then zinc primer and then normal primer/high build primer. Leaving the top coat and/or lacquer to be applied by the bodyshop.

 

[Indyz12]

make sure you get the inside of the wings treated with a wax or other coating, it will help against preventing the rust.

 

[clivecheshire]

temporary rust prevention ?

After 3 weeks I am still awaiting a decision from Mercedes following my perforated bodywork warranty claim (car 7 years old). Does anyone know if there anything I can possibly do in the meantime to maybe slow down the continued rusting process on inner lip of all 4 wheel arches, maybe apply grease or oil - whilst awaiting the rust to be treated properly ?