Hello, I have a 96 Cavalier and I have two spots of rust right in front of the rear wheels. (A common problem with this year I've heard) Basically I don't know how to fix it. I don't really have much access to a welder. Can I use an adhesive with a metal patch and the fiberglass cloth and resin over it? Should I just use fiberglass cloth/matting and resin? Of course I'll cut away the rust first. Just looking for ideas. I don't want to go to a body shop and spend $1000 dollars. Thanks

you could just pop rivet in some new metal at the least, then do your finishing. I personally would weld the new metal in...

^^ your best bet is to weld it in if you can get access to a welder.

Whatever you do, don't just fiberglass it, it will crack and flake off, and fairly quickly too. Vibrations from the road are enough to shake it loose.

You can try a bonding epoxy if you cant get access to welding equipment, its not the best fix, and maybe eventually crack out, but it is a lot better than fiberglass. 3M Speedgrip and Fuzor both make compounds that are meant for metal to metal adhesion. It comes in a two part tube and you need a special applicator gun (basically a double barrel caulk gun). Both are available at most body supply shops, around $80 for the gun and epoxy. Just epoxy all the edges, let it set, sand down any excess, then use a few thin coats of body filler, sand, and so on.

But again, if you can find any welder at all, weld it.

I agree on welding it. Just keep an eye on it as the area is prone to rust again. My father in law put a new rocker on my '00 and it's rusting again three months later. I do want to keep driving the car as it's paid for. I keep hitting it with primer and white paint.


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