W124 wheelarch rust

[k langdon]

I've noticed some bubbling on both on my front wings near the wheelarch where it meets the bumper with one or two small rust spots starting to come through. I'm aware that this is a common problem on W124's. What I was wondering was what is the best and most effective method of treatment at a reasonable cost.

I've seen threads where members have been looking at the replacing the front wings completely. I don't really want to contemplate this now or in the future if I don't have to. I realise now (after reading this and other forums)that what I should have done was to have the underside of the car steam cleaned and waxolyed when I bought it. Can the rust/bubbling be cut out, etc or is it going to be too late for that?

Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

 

[jamsh]

I just noticed exactly the same on the offside wing, a couple of weeks ago. My local bodyshop is going to treat it and respray for £100. He wants the car for two days,so it's when I can fit it in. He didn't think it was necessary to replace the wing.

 

[andy_k]

Any decent bodyshop will be able to "cure" the rust it just depends where the economics kick in. spending hours rubbing down, cutting out rust, welding in new metal, grinding flat, and making "as new" will probably cost more than the price of new wings sprayed and fitted.

Which would I do? - probably the first option but I'd be doing the repair work myself so it would work out cheaper but more time consuming

Andy

 

[k langdon]

Thanks for the info so far. Can anyone give me a good indication to what the price would be for repeiring the said wing/wheelarch area.

 

[andy_k]

reckon on paying about £100 a wing but if you find a local bodyshop who's willing to do a "cash job" you may get it a bit cheaper

Andy

 

[PaulSmart]

Hammerite it !!!!

If the rust is still on the 'lip' of the wheel arch, use hammerite smooth - I was very pleased with the hammerite silver I used on my E-class - its an excellent match and would be unnoticeable on first inspection.

Cost less than £10
time - A hour.

Paul

 

[peterchurch]

Hammerite it !!!!

If the rust is still on the 'lip' of the wheel arch, use hammerite smooth - I was very pleased with the hammerite silver I used on my E-class - its an excellent match and would be unnoticeable on first inspection.

Cost less than £10
time - A hour.

Paul

I played this game with my first car Don't do it because while you think the rust is cured at the front its happily chewing its way though the wing from the back

 

[andy_k]

yeah, on the W124 it's rust that's coming through from behind - if you are not planing on replacing the wings make sure you treat the inside as well as the outside otherwise anything you do will be a very temporary "cure"

Andy

 

[pepper&boulou]

I don't have any rust showing on my wings, but I think waxoyling the backs of them is a good preventative method.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have some very serious rust on my front r/h wing of the 260E. I was thinking of cutting it out, welding a new piece in and then re finishing it. Then I started to think, is it really worth the hassle when a new wing from the ste@lers is £150 and a spray at about £75 So for the time bieng it stays as it is, I will get a new wing later this year when the weather is warmer and the pocket fuller I intend to make sure that the wing is FULLY protected with whatever it takes to outlast the life of the car. Hamerite, red lead, or possibly a thermal plastic spray (max temp of application 150 degrees C so no distortion).

 

[KLP 92]

Change the wings. I had the rust rubbed down on a W140, treated and then repainted but it came back within a year! You have to cut it out and weld a new section but its not economic to do it unless you DIY. The wings aren't too expensive.

 

[k langdon]

Thanks for all the replies.

The car's due for a service, so it's booked in at the end of the week and I've asked for a quote from my indy's local bodyshop for repair and replacement to see how they compare.

Someone I know also suggested replacing the wing with non-Merc parts but from somwehere like Euro car parts (I think that's what he said - might have name wrong) because the wings are only £30-40 each.

Anyone have experience of these non-standard replacement panels?

 

[grober]

Ask yourself why the genuine wing is £150 and the replacement is £40 and you have your answer. Previous comments include thinner metal poor fit etc etc Why spend money on finishing / painting an inferior product when you can have the real thing! OK OK cost but in this case buy cheap pay dear.

 

[Paul Grainger]

After a minor incident with my gatepost I purchased a pattern part front wing for an Audi 100. It was a nightmare. This was several years ago and they might have got better - but be warned!

The metal thickness was OK but the slight radius at the upper part of the wing was different to the corresponding radius on the bonnet. No matter what I did, I couldn't make it look right. In the end I trashed the new wing trying to form it into the correct shape. Next step was to fork out £150 for a pukka Audi wing (and that was 13 years ago!) which fitted perfectly straight away - and was supplied galvanised. It cost me another £100 to have it painted, but when the job was complete it was 'like new' in every way.

Paul G

 

[k langdon]

Thanks for the replies.

I note your point Paul. At this stage the rust is only minor. Someone has advised me it's not worth doing and to leave it for the timebeing. The only thing with the Merc wings is that once you take into account all the costs it's quite expensive compared to the value of the car.

What I really need to keep the cost down when the time comes is someone who works for a bodyshop and knows what they're doing and is prepared to take a cash in hand job for a bit of work on the side.

 

[grober]

swedish site

hope your swedish is good http://www.500sec.com/frontfender_swe.htm