W124 Front wheel arches......

[punjabi]

beside the headlight - slight bubbles have started appearing recently. Understand this is a common rust spot problem with these models. As the body is otherwise mint, what is the best way:
1. To treat the slight rust bubbles before they spread further.
2. The best way to counter this spread - what causes this at this location?

 

[grober]

Known weak spot on the W124 I'm afraid. Water and mud seem to gather on the wing edge where it meets the bumper and in the lip of the wheel arch. Once its got a grip its almost impossible to irradicate completely. All you can do is slow its progress. The first thing is to try to keep these areas clean on a regular basis with copious amounts of water. I have found an old toothbrush to be good tool for removing mud from behind the wheel arch lip. You must use lots of water to soften the mud first otherwise the small grit particles will rub away any existing paint/primer left intact. Once clean and dry its time to apply one of the proprietary rust prevention compounds to slow down rust progress. On visible surfaces the bubbling paint will have to be removed by wet and dry abrasive paper and then treated with anti rust / primer and spray painted with an aerosol can of matching paint after masking . I would caution against using spray cans on anything but small inconspicuous areas. Very small areas can be hand painted with an artists brush and subsequently smoothed down with fine wet and dry. Dark colours can be "doctored" quite successfully. light metallics are tricky to get a good match. Its really a rearguard action rather than a successfull campaign to be honest.

 

[d w124]

beside the headlight - slight bubbles have started appearing recently. Understand this is a common rust spot problem with these models. As the body is otherwise mint, what is the best way:
1. To treat the slight rust bubbles before they spread further.
2. The best way to counter this spread - what causes this at this location?

Since the wings cost around £200 each fro dealers,i`d say give it a go on your ones,if the rust has only started.