DIY auto arch repair

In detail: do-it-yourself auto arch repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

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Let's talk about replacing the rear arches of the car. Rear arches on some car models are a weak point, easily corroded. There are options when you can "cure" rust without changing the arches, but, as a rule, the owners of cars pull until the last, when drastic measures are needed. The need to replace the rear arches arises, as a rule, due to their through corrosion. In such cases, all that remains is to cut off all the rusty metal and weld in its place a new, non-rusty segment. How to do this, and what subtleties you need to take into account. Let's take a look at everything in detail.

First, we need to define the boundaries of the corroded area. To do this, you need to clean off the old paintwork in a place where rust is visible. An autopsy, as they say, will show what's under the paint. It is necessary to clean it, with a margin retreating from the zone with corrosion to the zone with normal metal. An autopsy usually reveals that there is much more rust than meets the eye.

Next, we need to cut off all the corroded metal. We use the "grinder", we cut everything down to pure metal. After the rusty segment has been cut off, the reverse side of the remaining intact metal should be checked as far as possible. Why do we need this? It so happens that the front part of the part does not contain corrosion, but on the reverse side everything is much sadder. Usually you just have to enlarge the cut area a little in order to weld the repair segment to the good metal on both sides.

Video (click to play).

Image - DIY auto arch repair

Cut out segment of the rear wing Image - DIY auto arch repairArch self-made from sheet metal

Further to us you need to take a repair insert somewhere for welding and restoring the arch. Here you can choose the following options:

  1. Take the desired segment from the donor's rear wing.
  2. Take the required part from the new repair panel for the rear wing (if there is one on sale for the car model being repaired).
  3. Cut the desired segment from sheet metal (usually from an unnecessary body panel). It all depends on what shape you need the segment. If a large part of the arch with complex shapes, edging was cut, then of course it is better to take and cut out a similar part from the donor's wing. Again, it depends on the cost of the rear wing of a particular car. Despite the complexity of the shapes, it is also possible to bend the desired segment from, for example, an unnecessary hood. If a complex shape does not work out, then you can make a segment of several simpler ones by welding them together.
  4. Another option is to take the desired segment from a new or used front wing. In most car models, the front and rear fenders are similar in shape. The front wing is usually cheaper and easier to find than the rear wing. Thus, we take the desired “piece” from the front wing and adjust it to the rear one.

Image - DIY auto arch repair

Welding a homemade arch Image - DIY auto arch repairNew renovation arch Image - DIY auto arch repairThe front fender is similar in shape to the arch of the rear fender.

How do I cut a sheet metal patch to the desired shape?

You can apply this method. Take a cardboard, lean against the cut area and the borders of the cut area will be printed on it.Now you can cut a stamp out of cardboard along these boundaries, and use this stamp to cut out the necessary patch from metal. It is better to slightly increase the borders on the metal being cut out, since it will need to be welded with an overlap.

Welding the repair insert

The next step is to weld the repair insert. When welding, you must not overheat the metal. It is better to weld with dots, starting from one end of the patch, then weld with a dot on the other side and at intervals, then decrease the interval. The point is that the metal doesn't lead too much.

After welding, you need to clean the seam from oxides and grind the weld seam.

Weld seam protection

Next, you need to protect the seam from corrosion. One option is an epoxy anti-corrosive primer. After the soil has completely dried, you need to grind it without rubbing it to the metal, then you can apply a putty.

The back of the weld is also important to protect. For this, you can use anticorrosive primers in aerosol cans. The most important thing is to get to the back side. If there is no access, then you can use a can with a long tube and a nozzle on it. One of these variants is "Movil". Very comfortable design. You can crawl into a hidden cavity by inserting a tube into a small hole. Movil is not the best option for protecting against corrosion, but the nozzle tube can be adapted to any other protection in an aerosol can.

Then you can proceed to the final removal of the putty, priming with acrylic primer, preparation for painting and the actual painting.

The wheel arches of the vehicle are hazardous. This is due to the fact that they are constantly influenced by atmospheric factors: rain, snow, moisture, chemically active components that are often present on the track. As well as crushed stone and small stones flying from under the wheels of cars. V as a result, foci of corrosion appear, which lead to the destruction of this part of the car... The rear arches of the car, consisting of the inner part and the outer wing, are especially affected in this regard.

If we are talking about minor defects, cosmetic repairs can be dispensed with. If we are dealing with very pronounced foci of corrosion, serious repairs or even replacement of the wheel arches of a car will be required.... To do this, you can ask for help at a car service station or do all the work yourself.

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Replacing the rear arch and fender of the car

Self-repair of the rear arches of the car can be performed by 2 methods:

The first method is used when the wing is not rotten to holes, and we are able to get a solid surface, removing all the rust. If the destruction led to the formation of holes, it is obvious that filling cannot be dispensed with - you will have to get the welding machine out of the cabinet.

So, when it comes to minor damage, the putty method is used. Step by step it looks like this:

  1. It is necessary to thoroughly wash and dry the car.
  2. Remove all rust from bare metal from damaged areas and sand thoroughly.
  3. Treat the areas with reactive primer and allow the surface to dry.

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Car rear arch putty
  • Put acrylic filler on top of the reactive layer - in no case should putty be applied to acidic soil.
  • After the acrylic has dried, apply the putty and wait for it to dry.
  • Thoroughly sand the dried filler with a gradual reduction in grain on the abrasive. Thus - to level the surface, preparing it for painting.
  • Paint those parts of the car that were being repaired.
  • If the surface is so corroded that it is not possible to do with putty, you will need welding. Obviously, to carry out work of such a plan with your own hands, you must have a welding machine and have the appropriate skills in handling it.... So, the repair by welding is as follows:

    • Diligently wash and dry the car.
    • Using a grinder, we cut off all the affected areas of the wheel arches.
    • Align and clean the edges (for making patches it is good to get arches that were in use and are no longer used).
    • We cut out the appropriate patches and bring them to the shape we need to get the correct wing configuration.

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    Rear arch repair by welding
  • We prepare such patches for the inner and outer parts of the arch.
  • We spot weld the inner patch first, then the outer patch. It should be recessed compared to the rest of the surface.
  • We carefully grind the welded seams.
  • Putting out the geometry.
  • Grind the putty on top.
  • Apply a layer of acrylic primer.
  • We paint the repaired car site.
  • If the surface of the wheel arches of a car is hopelessly corroded by rust and cannot be repaired, you will need a replacement - it will not be difficult to perform this operation on your own.

    Let's consider in stages how the wheel arches of a car are replaced with our own hands:

      We order the production of a new arch from any turner. As a material, you can choose some light alloy like aluminum.

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    Do-it-yourself car arch replacement
  • We use a jack to raise the car from the side where we plan to work.
  • We remove the wheel so that there is no interference.
  • Disconnect the arch from the suspension, floor, bulkhead and trunk.
  • We clean the surface from a layer of paint to pure metal.
  • We try on a new product and make a mark by which we will cut off the one that requires replacement.
  • After cutting, we install a new product, securing it by welding. We start to cook in the center, then move on to the edges. It is important to pay attention to the anchorage in the sill area where the main loads will occur.
  • We grind the welding seams and apply a special primer.
  • After priming with a putty, we level all surfaces.
  • We grind the filler and apply acrylic primer.
  • At the end, we paint the installed product.
  • On this we can consider the work completed if you have the skills to handle the welding machine.... It will not give you much difficulty.

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    The arch is welded over the wing with an overlap

    The wheel arches of a car are strongly influenced by a whole range of negative factors: precipitation, moisture, chemically active reagents, dirt and small stones. As a result, there is a tendency to premature corrosion and failure.

    The situation can be corrected by various types of repairs, as well as by replacing the arches if the repair is no longer possible. To cope on your own, you will need certain skills in using a grinder, a welding machine, a grinder and a spray gun.... In this case, you can easily cope with the task and fix the problem.

    During operation, car arches are constantly exposed to precipitation, dust, dirt, water, crushed stone, which leads to their corrosion and subsequent destruction. This is especially true for the rear wheel arch. It is made up of two planes connected by welding - the outer wing and the arch above the wheel, from where corrosion occurs. Minor damages can be repaired in a timely manner. If they are deep enough and extensive enough, you will need to make a complete replacement of the arch.
    Image - DIY auto arch repair

    This process does not require any special training. He is within the power of any experienced driver who knows the device of the car. At the same time, when replacing an arch on your own, you must adhere to a certain technology. In addition, in order to properly replace the wheel arch, it is necessary to have the appropriate tools, equipment and materials. These include:

    • Arch repair kit;
    • Electric arc welding semiautomatic device;
    • Equipment for cleaning and grinding seams;
    • Drill with a drill for metal;
    • Pneumatic hammer and chisel set;
    • Locksmith's hammer;
    • Finely ground hand chisel;
    • Pliers and wire cutters;
    • Screwdriver;
    • Knife, ruler and gloves;
    • Glasses;
    • Metal sheet;
    • Primer, paint;
    • Anti-corrosion coating agent.

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    Image - DIY auto arch repair


    First of all, a visual assessment of the degree of metal corrosion by corrosion is made. The necessary measurements are made. Depending on the level of damage, the arches are replaced partially or completely. Everything will depend on how worn out. With the smallest damage, you can do with covering the inside of the arch with a protective anti-corrosion agent.
    1. Disconnect the wheel arch from the trunk floor, bulkhead frame and suspension spring support using a drill, pneumatic and metal hammers, chisels.
    2. Define and mark the damage area.
    3. Remove damaged metal according to the markings. This should be done with protective gloves and goggles.
    4. Cut an identical workpiece out of sheet metal.
    5. Prepare the surfaces for welding, remove the remaining pieces of metal from the ends with pliers or pliers, set the minimum gap between the parts.