[MBGraham]

We have owned our 300D for 20 years, and rust always occurs on the wheel arches. We are in Canada and the car does see road salt.

We had the front fenders replaced, the rear wheel arches (and a few other spots) repaired about 5 years ago and had the car repainted.

It still looks good, but once again, I noticed some rust on the driver's side wheel wells.

I usually sand it and coat with POR-15 (clear or silver) and then white aeresol paint. But new spots will occur because of stone chips etc.

I was thinking of taking the car in and having a body shop paint with some type of stone chip guard. I have seen sort of a pebbly look on some cars that extends about an inch outside the edge of the arches.

Has anyone done anything like this or know of a suitable product?

 

[300TD1984]

i think your talking about bed liner paint as it has a pebbley look to it.

 

[MBeige]

The rust usually starts from the exposed areas, typically from inside the wheel well arches and is caused by accumulated precipitate (mud/water/snow) that do not get cleaned out.

Best solution is of course not to drive it on the snow. But if this is not avoidable I would clean up the inside of the arches really well enough to strip the undercoating, then apply a good layer of under coat protection. Do not forget to extend the undercoat to the front and rear of the wheels as the arch curves downward.

If you have the fenders repainted, have a clear bra installed on the exterior wheel arches too if they have a cut out for those around.

 

[MBGraham]

I came across this pdf - Amazing products this company has!

http://www.mbmtools.com/01_Chemicals.pdf

Down on page 35, there is a product called UBS Stoneguard Black plus another water based product Both are overpaintable and sounds like the type of thing I am thinking about. Would probably not be easy to over coat black with white.

Wonder if Napa and places like that sell it in different colours?

 

[xlimodriver]

Rusty fender arches?? Just hide it with chrome.

 

[MBGraham]

Rusty fender arches?? Just hide it with chrome.

I had thought of doing that. I was going to coat the arches with POR-15 and install stainless or chrome arches before it dried so there would be no crevices for salt to collect. But, they are not cheap and because I have aftermarket front fenders and rears that have been repaired several times, I was not sure that the trim would fit accurately. Besides, not sure I like the look!

PS: See you are in same part of world as me!

 

[aubs]

Rust Bullet. I coated the entire car with it in all the common rust areas. I don't know how well it's going to work yet, but the US Navy uses it and the company claims it's the only product (available to civilians) that offers any protection against seawater corrosion on battleship decking (it leaves POR15 in the dust, or er, rust!). They make an awesome black top coating that is glossy and thick as molasses. I got some on the shop floor while painting, and I cannot get it off. I used a fine foam roller to apply it to the rockers and fender wells. I really need to get some pictures up here. I suspect it will not chip unless struck with a chisel or hammered with a sharp object. The silver Rust Bullet is also darn near indestructible and sticks to everything.

 

[xlimodriver]

PS: See you are in same part of world as me!

Out here in Campbellford very little salt is used during the winter, maybe 90% sand/10% salt.
And seeing that the 200T has only been in Canada for the past 6 years there is hardly any rust. The only real rust spot was in the spare tire cubby in the back which I treated with Por/15 and then Bondo. I also touched up all small nicks and stone chips with the black Por/15 which is barely noticable on the dark green paint.
The car started life in Germany, spent some time in England (why the rear foglight is on the passenger side), and then to Canada.

I pulled the chrome fender trim when I got the wagon this spring and found no rust.

Where in Ontario are you located?

 

[MBGraham]

Out here in Campbellford very little salt is used during the winter, maybe 90% sand/10% salt.
And seeing that the 200T has only been in Canada for the past 6 years there is hardly any rust. The only real rust spot was in the spare tire cubby in the back which I treated with Por/15 and then Bondo. I also touched up all small nicks and stone chips with the black Por/15 which is barely noticable on the dark green paint.
The car started life in Germany, spent some time in England (why the rear foglight is on the passenger side), and then to Canada.

I pulled the chrome fender trim when I got the wagon this spring and found no rust.

Where in Ontario are you located?

Your car has been around! I am just west of Kingston.

Regards