Then ya take the jeep up through the trails and suddenly youve got cracks everywhere you used filler.. lol. Ive seen dudes try to fix entire corner panels with bondo just to go hit a speed bump and the stuff falls off in one big chunk.. lol
This type of repair definitely has its limits! However, if done sensibly, it will withstand the abuse of off-roading. It’s key to only repair small patches in areas that are not structurally stressed and to not use too much fine putty, because a thick layer of fine putty will cause the issues you mention.
It needs to be said that this kind of repair is only meant for visual repairs, not for anything that has force applied to it in any way. Honestly I would not do this kind of repair at all unless it's a temporary "I have to do it right now and welding is not an option" type of situation.
You are right that this kind of repair can’t be applied for structural problems, only for cosmetic rust issues. But it’s the second best option for people who don’t have a welder, welding skills or the budget to take their ride to a professional body shop. It will stop the rust and fix the problem cosmetically without breaking the bank.
If the rust is too bad or money is not an issue, replacing the fender is of course the best solution. However, if you want a quick fix that saves you money and gets rid of that ugly rust, this is the way to go.
False hope implies that this is not a good solution to this very common problem. We respectfully disagree. Obviously, a weld-repair or fender replacement is the best solution, but if you don’t have a welder, welding skills or lack the budget to have it repaired by a professional body shop, this is by far the best solution.
Then ya take the jeep up through the trails and suddenly youve got cracks everywhere you used filler.. lol. Ive seen dudes try to fix entire corner panels with bondo just to go hit a speed bump and the stuff falls off in one big chunk.. lol
This type of repair definitely has its limits! However, if done sensibly, it will withstand the abuse of off-roading. It’s key to only repair small patches in areas that are not structurally stressed and to not use too much fine putty, because a thick layer of fine putty will cause the issues you mention.
It needs to be said that this kind of repair is only meant for visual repairs, not for anything that has force applied to it in any way. Honestly I would not do this kind of repair at all unless it's a temporary "I have to do it right now and welding is not an option" type of situation.
You are right that this kind of repair can’t be applied for structural problems, only for cosmetic rust issues. But it’s the second best option for people who don’t have a welder, welding skills or the budget to take their ride to a professional body shop. It will stop the rust and fix the problem cosmetically without breaking the bank.
Or you could simply remove and replace the fender with a new one.
If the rust is too bad or money is not an issue, replacing the fender is of course the best solution. However, if you want a quick fix that saves you money and gets rid of that ugly rust, this is the way to go.
I understand that not everyone has a welder, but this repair method is a recipe for false hope.
False hope implies that this is not a good solution to this very common problem. We respectfully disagree. Obviously, a weld-repair or fender replacement is the best solution, but if you don’t have a welder, welding skills or lack the budget to have it repaired by a professional body shop, this is by far the best solution.