Paintwork on rear wheel arches... is it worth fixing?

Rear wheel arches are always getting beat up by debris and road salt, and it really shows in the paintwork. Rust, chips, peeling paint… I’ve seen it all. Anyone have tips on dealing with this or think it’s even worth fixing?

Man, I had the same problem with rust on my rear wheel arches. Ended up needing a full respray. Not cheap!

Garcia said:
Man, I had the same problem with rust on my rear wheel arches. Ended up needing a full respray. Not cheap!

Yikes, how much did that set you back? I’ve been putting off repairs for a while.

Garcia said:
Man, I had the same problem with rust on my rear wheel arches. Ended up needing a full respray. Not cheap!

Probably better to fix it sooner. Rust spreads fast if you leave it, especially in winter.

Touch-up paint is your friend, trust me. Fixed some small chips before they got worse, and it really helped.

Zacky said:
Touch-up paint is your friend, trust me. Fixed some small chips before they got worse, and it really helped.

Do you use any specific brand of touch-up paint, or does it not really matter?

Zacky said:
Touch-up paint is your friend, trust me. Fixed some small chips before they got worse, and it really helped.

Any good brand should work, but make sure to use a rust inhibitor first if there’s bare metal.

I installed mud flaps, and they made a big difference. Way fewer chips now from road debris.

Jason said:
I installed mud flaps, and they made a big difference. Way fewer chips now from road debris.

That’s a good idea! Did you install them yourself, or is it a pro job?

Jason said:
I installed mud flaps, and they made a big difference. Way fewer chips now from road debris.

DIY for sure. Super easy, and it only took me about 30 minutes.

Protective coatings are worth it, IMO. I use a ceramic coating, and it keeps the paint looking fresh longer.

Lisa said:
Protective coatings are worth it, IMO. I use a ceramic coating, and it keeps the paint looking fresh longer.

Nice! Is it hard to apply, or do you need to get it done professionally?

Lisa said:
Protective coatings are worth it, IMO. I use a ceramic coating, and it keeps the paint looking fresh longer.

You can do it at home if you’re careful, but a pro job lasts longer and looks better, tbh.

Anyone else think it’s just inevitable? I mean, no matter what you do, those arches are gonna take a beating.

Livia said:
Anyone else think it’s just inevitable? I mean, no matter what you do, those arches are gonna take a beating.

True, but at least you can slow down the damage. Better than letting rust eat through everything.

Livia said:
Anyone else think it’s just inevitable? I mean, no matter what you do, those arches are gonna take a beating.

Yeah, prevention helps. Waxing regularly or using undercoating can make a big difference over time.

Has anyone tried rust-proofing sprays? I live where they salt the roads, and it’s brutal on my car.

Princeton said:
Has anyone tried rust-proofing sprays? I live where they salt the roads, and it’s brutal on my car.

I use one every fall. It’s not perfect, but it does help. Reapplying yearly is key.

Princeton said:
Has anyone tried rust-proofing sprays? I live where they salt the roads, and it’s brutal on my car.

I did that too, but make sure to get the good stuff. Cheap sprays don’t last.