I have a 70 Chevelle with steel front wheel wells. They were sanded and painted in the engine compartment but they have a good amount of surface rust on the inner surface.

What's the best way to treat this and prevent the rust from eating through and also make it look like it did from the factory. Could I use POR-15? Any ideas suggestions/experiences would be appreciated......THanks!

I would remove them, have them beadblasted ( glass beaded, NOT sandblasted ) and either paint them with a good epoxy primer and semi gloss black topcoat, or have them powdercoated semi gloss black. It's not much effort to take them out and is an easy project.

I just had my steel inners soda blasted for $75 Cdn ( 30 min job @ $150/hr ) and am having them powdercoated as I write this. Approx cost for the p/c is $50 Cdn.

Removing them is the best way, since all areas can be accessed for cleaning and will ensure a quality finish.

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Dan Orgill

Stupid question.....Do I have to remove the fender to get the wheel well out? I thought you did but I could be wrong http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif .

You dont have to remove the fender although it helps. I also say have them bead blasted, but first go with a wash primer first then an expoy primer and then a semi gloss paint. The wash primer has the corrosion resistance that the expoy doesnt have.

I went the Por 15 route with mine. I removed them, wet sanded them until they were smooth, then etched the smooth metal with Metal Ready and applied the Por 15 with nothing but a brush. They look great. Por 15 flows out extremely well, so you can brush it on for most projects like this.
The best way to remove them is to jack the front end up, support it on jack stands, and remove the front wheels. They will take a little twisting and tweaking to remove and install, but it can be done without removing the fenders or front clip.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 11-27-2001).]