Wheel arch repair

katbloke · Sep 23, 2010

Following on from the photos i posted in my introduction ive decided to make a start with stripping back paint and have found a few problems relating to previous archwork.

This is what it looked like on the surface

Bubbling under the paintwork with what looked like rust in the paintwork.

So i set about with a wirebrush on a drill and found the problem area.

Whats my best course of action, im thinking about cutting the previous repair pacth right out and starting from scratch utilising a repair panel.

Thanks.
Graham.

Wayne. · Sep 23, 2010

Cut it out and do it again your more or less half way in to it anyway may as well do it right

katbloke · Sep 26, 2010

Started cutting the old repair patch out and theyd welded it to the old inner arch that was rusty then backiflled everything with a sealer, gutted as it now looks like i have a shed load more work to do.

Where these arches are flat should i weld the outer arch on the make the inner arch up to suit?

Sphinx · Sep 26, 2010

If they're fairly flat you should be able to get the inner arch pretty close without having to use the front skin at a 'template' (if I'm understanding you correctly)
I would replace the inner arch section first and then do the outer, this means you can weld the inner skin from the outside which should be easier.

I think you're past the point of no return here anyway as the whole quarter will need new paint by the looks of it so it'll do no harm cutting out more metal to do the job properly and erase all of the previous bodge.

katbloke · Sep 26, 2010

I have got to good metal all around but at the current height its difficult to reach the inner arch unless i go from underneath which doesnt appeal but needs must I expect.

I'll get a photo of how it stands at the mo.
Havent touched a welder in over 20 years so will be asking lots of silly questions

redwine300 · Sep 28, 2010

Looking forward to seeing photos, I have had to do some arch repairs myself recently so would be happy to pass on what I have learnt, :hug:

all be it modest. :ashamed:

Don't worry about the questions. Just throw them in and the answers will come. :waving:

SeasidePatrol · Sep 29, 2010

Hi, what sort of car is it please. I have do do a similar repair on my BMW in the near future. I am interested to see how you tackle this.

Sphinx · Sep 29, 2010

I think it's some form of Mk1 Clio, Williams I would guess by the smoked rear lights and colour.
Come on KatBloke, tell me it's an Astra GTE or something lol

Sid · Sep 29, 2010

Clio Williams 2.

katbloke · Sep 29, 2010

Sid said:
Clio Williams 2.

Yep, sorry never owned an Astra.

Have started to cut out now but am unsure as to how far to go

the snooper · Sep 29, 2010

go far enough to make sure all the rot has gone and any thats starting to form but dont go mad if you dont have to

katbloke · Sep 29, 2010

cant afford to tbh, as a new quarter from Renault is 350 + vat and can only be sourced direct from France

Sid · Sep 29, 2010

katbloke said:
cant afford to tbh, as a new quarter from Renault is 350 + vat and can only be sourced direct from France

I've read that bodyshops use base model arches and work on them (don't know how) to make them flare like 16v and Williams models. As you say, genuine only otherwise, and they're pricey.

Join www.clio16valver.co.uk (There are Williams owners there too). We all know about rusty arches, it's standard equipment on Mk1s. :laughing:

katbloke · Sep 30, 2010

Thanks Sid, already run one webiste www.clio-williams.co.uk, am a memeber on 16v williams clio and retro renault lol, i think all members would like to know the holy grail of cutting out and welding to save a fortune.

Im wanting to learn to do it right rather than pay another 1k for it to come back 12months later

katbloke · Oct 13, 2010

Well made a start today cutting out bad bit from back panel so i can plate that prime it seal it and tick one job off the list.

Then its time for the wheelarch.

The area where the rust was

What I cut out

And a view from the rear which i intend to thoroughly grind back/ clean and repaint

katbloke · Oct 13, 2010

Also neighbour is kindly lending me his Cebora mig now hes retired and hes just infoirmed me hes off to his old employer to get a freshly refilled bottle for me

the snooper · Oct 13, 2010

if you car is 1998 - 2001 you can get

rear pannel 74.15
rear quater 185.78

athough if you dont really need to change them i wouldnt bother

katbloke · Oct 13, 2010

the snooper said:
if you car is 1998 - 2001 you can get

rear pannel 74.15
rear quater 185.78

athough if you dont really need to change them i wouldnt bother

Unfortunately its mk1 91-98

Personally i think arch is rebuildable using a non flared item, i only want to use minimal metal from a new arch

katbloke · Oct 15, 2010

Well first plate attempt didnt go well, blowing holes on lowest setting so cut the plate out again and am cutting metal out now to find a better edge , saying that though im up against edges and have other bad bit coming into it.

Maybe for a novice im trying to be too finicky

SeasidePatrol · Oct 15, 2010

katbloke said:
Maybe for a novice im trying to be too finicky

I'm a novice too and I sometimes I think that, but I have to persuade my self that I'm just being cautious. People keep reminding me to measure twice and cut once.
Sometimes it is difficult to judge how much metal to remove. If you have good access for welding then you can be a bit braver. Personally I like to view the job a few times and take photos and then have a bit of a think....its just my process but it has stopped me from making quite a few mistakes.
I guess it all comes down to experience at the end of the day.
Good luck :cool:

Wheel arch repair

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Silly Rabbit

Member

Member

Member

Member

getting older by the day

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

getting older by the day

Member

Member

Member