Where do these cars rust?

[CoryM]

Originally Posted by Hamster

would driving your car during a heavy rainstorm clean out the fender lips?

Not really

Look in your rear wheel well. In front of the tire is a big flat area that rocks and mud collect on. Easy enough to see and clean off. Now run your fingers along the inside of the fender-lip above the tire. You will feel a small lip and it will probably be packed with road dust. On some cars (hondas etc) you just wipe you finger under there when washing the car an it's fine. These cars the lip is small and pointed up. Mine has seam sealer in it, so toyota obviously thought to keep dirt out, but it is not enough. The mud still collects.

My plan is to clean the lip well with a brush and water, heat-gun to make sure there is no moisture left in the lip, then fill the lip completely with 3M exterior seam sealer shaping it so its tapered. Then spray the wheel well with an oil based undercoat. That, combined with washing it properly will hopefully end any rust concerns with the rear fender lip.

I am planning on having this car for it's entire service life so may as well spend a little time now to address it. I have a feeling this little bugger is going to run for a looooong time

Going to try toyota for warranty on the wiper arm. If not, I will clean then spray them with some epoxy primer when I spray my other car. Wiper arms are easy enough to repair/replace. Rear fenders not so much.

Cheers.