How bad is this rust?

[KingScare]

Please take a look at these pictures:

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j49/Kingscare/Wheel%20well/?albumview=grid

What are the possible steps to take in order to fix this nasty problem before it gets any worse?

Can that be sanded down and repainted in a matching color and (if done properly) be impossible to detect that any work was done?

Will metal work need to be undertaken? I understand it may be difficult to tell how bad it really is with only pictures. If I get in contact with a more car savvy person, will it be necessary for him to remove the panel to make sure its not corroding from the inside?

I'm most likely going to get the car up on a lift to look around the entire undercarriage, I'm quite frankly a bit worried that rust may have crept up in places I just can't see.

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

[witeshark]

AFAIK, that rust can be sanded etc and the metal recoated. Then painted; the key is to get it done ASAP. Good luck!

[johnnyBgood]

Yeah.....that looks to be only surface rust, no problem to fix......key like witeshark said, do it right away.......

johnny,

[Shadetree]

From the pictures, it looks like it has progressed beyond surface rust. It is a fairly small area so you're well off that way but the rust has eaten right into the metal. You will need to sand the area off at least 1 inch past where you see the paint starting to bubble down to bare metal. Then you will need to grind away the entire area where the rust has eaten through. Repair the area with body filler and spray the entire area with rust-mort. Then you can go through the paint and top coating procedure.
This can be done so that it is barely noticable but it would take the work of a professional. If you don't trust your ability to do the body work properly, please do take it to take it to a qualified bodyman. It is a relatively small job so it shouldn't put you out that much.

[olds72]

Originally Posted by Shadetree

From the pictures, it looks like it has progressed beyond surface rust. It is a fairly small area so you're well off that way but the rust has eaten right into the metal. You will need to sand the area off at least 1 inch past where you see the paint starting to bubble down to bare metal. Then you will need to grind away the entire area where the rust has eaten through. Repair the area with body filler and spray the entire area with rust-mort. Then you can go through the paint and top coating procedure.
This can be done so that it is barely noticable but it would take the work of a professional. If you don't trust your ability to do the body work properly, please do take it to take it to a qualified bodyman. It is a relatively small job so it shouldn't put you out that much.

I agree! once you start grinding on that you will probably see that the metal has pitted. It is a relatively easy fix if you've done this type of work before. Good luck.

[KingScare]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll be taking it to a body shop to get it done. I'm not going to mess around with it. I'd rather pay to get it done properly.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

thats not that bad at all BUT check under the side skirts and the inner fenderwells!