I really wish i kept up on my account here as a member so i could add photos again.

Went into one of my 8 hour detailing events today, and found some stomach aching surprises. Driver side rear wheel well (if facing right at it, figure a clock) about 10:00 ish is where the rust is starting between the rubber molding and body.. Also noticing a bubble beneath the paint... I'm soo depressed and ashamed, i feel unworthy of the wash and wax badge.

Only good news out of this is the sale of my CBR last Friday, freeing up $330 a month i could either put into the S, or overpay more to its loan, or finally get a beater and retire my S from DD.


Anywho... i feel empty and alone in this world since the rust discovery... I searched forums on rust for the S only to come up with after market rust issues from exhaust systems to blow off valves and rotors....

Any suggestions?

 

Well, one suggestion is to look carefully at your other wheel wells, and make sure there isn't a bunch of built up gunk in the fender lip areas. That's what has always caused rear fender rot in the various CRXs I've had over the years.

As to fixing the rust you already have - I can't offer much in the way of advice. If it were mine, I'd sand down the rusting areas to bare metal and apply some touch up paint. It'll look ratty, but it'll look better than a rusty fender.

Sorry to hear that you found rust. I guess that the oldest S2000s are now 10 years old, so maybe we're going to start seeing this more frequently.

 

move to vegas

 

I took my my rubber strip off the day I got my car. My car is a '02 that I daily drive through Harsh canadian winters and dont have a spec of rust anywhere. The key is to firstly spray rust proofing in the trunk as cars rust from the inside as well and secondly clean the inside of the rear fender lip every time you wash the car.

 

yeah the rubber strips Honda uses seem to increase chance of rust rather than prevent it like they intended with the wheel well strip. Mine have been gone for years and no rust yet. Many Honda models that have used them over the years have suffered from wheel well rust issues.

Take it to an auto body shop to repair the wheel wells and paint complete, it won't cost very much if you get it early. Remove the rubber strips for good. The rustproof the wheel wells and possibly the entire car if possible.

I was thinking of spraying rubberized rockerguard in my wheel wells but I haven't decided on doing it yet.

 

I have also pulled those strips off. I suppose it puts you at risk for stone chips inside the roll, but it is easier to keep an eye out for this as opposed to what is going on with trapped moisture under the rubber.

 

damn that rubber strip... Best replies by far.. the original 2 pretty much made me think my car is boned... I was also thinking i'd probably have to buy a new fender and break welds and re-weld new one on to solve it completely.

I'd really like to just carbon fiber the entire exterior.. If i had thick pockets

 

nah any reputable auto body shop can give you a long term repair on that if you catch it early enough and it won't necessarily progress. Some shops may even give you a warranty on the work.

 

Like others have said take it to a good shop and they can save it no problem. Thankfully our cars don't have chronic problems so you shouldn't have any more issues if you get it looked over by a quality professional.