Rust Issue
My car (2004 Honda Accord LX) has some rust on the quarter panel just above the wheels (Please see the attached figure). Some people are telling me that I would need to replace the whole quarter panel for solving this problem, while as per the opinion of others, alternate and cheaper solution apart from changing the quarter panel is also possible. Do I really need to replace the entire quarter panel to remove this rust and make sure that it does not spread any more? FYI, I live in an area which is quite prone to rust problems due to excessive salt use during snowing.
There is another thing I would like to ask. I am not planing to visit a body shop quite soon. Is there any way (like, spraying, etc.) that I can use to temporarily stop or slow down progression of the rust until I will be visiting an auto body shop?
First, make sure that the plastic inner fender liner (so common on older Hondas) is removed, so that no additional moisture is held to the rear fenders...after that (or if you do not have this handicap) know that you can sand down and treat the affected areas...but this would be temporary. Clean the spots with some aggressive compound, and then seal with a wax....that is the cheapest and most effective way to deter any additional expansion of the rust! You could actually sand those spots down and then brush touch with matching color/clear paint, and then finish with a protective wax (carnuba)...that is a stage #2 process...and it works...but for how long?
Definately a problem area. There are a couple of ways to repair and which you choose depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle. The easiest is to cut out the rust and repair with fiberglass. Its a temporary fix and works if you want to clean it up and sell in a year or so. Long term fix is to replace quarter or use a patch panel. Both require welding (usually MIG is easiest).. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any patch panels for this year Accord, which leaves the only option, other than complete quarter replacement of cutting out a patch panel from a junk yard vehicle that is rust free in this area.This requires the use of a cordless cutoff tool. Make sure you cut a section larger than you will need. The bottom line, as with most rust repair on quarter panels is the long term fix requires welding and sheet metal. Anything else is shorter term. Good Luck.
Is this normal for a brand new 2018 honda accord ??? I do not think that this is normal and I am taking car to dealership to make them fix this ASAP. This is Florida driven car and there is no reason to be rusted out at all.
