QUESTION: What would you do about this Rust damage?

It’s a 2006 model so being 20 years old even after I cut/buff and seal the paint the vehicle in general is not ever going to look new but I need to address at least the rust issues in these two areas. This vehicle spent at least 10 years up in the Pacific Northwest. Lots of leaves and rain so I assume whatever drain there is in the lower front quarter panel got clogged and this vehicle probably rusted from the inside out.

Is there a way to ‘fog’ the inside of the quarter panel with a Rust Fix product then address the outside damage?

Since it’s now ‘self draining’ theres probably no reason to flush out what’s in there, right?

 

Apparently, this is very common. Don’t know if I’ll patch in some new metal like this guy did, but I admire that it actually looks pretty good.

 

I know on the 11th and 12th gens, leaves and other vegetation would lodge in that area, and destroy those corners. I took action on my 2012, after about 2 years of owning since new.
You have to take the fender liner loose, and wash out the junk that accumulates, then let dry, and spray the snot out of that whole fender area with Fluid Film or Wool Wax.
If someone has never done this, you'll be amazed at the amount of composted dirt in there.
OP, I'd go ahead and take to a good shop and replace both those front fenders.

 

Thanks for the reply Johnday. I weigh the age and mileage of this vehicle with the cost of what a good Body Shop is going to charge to fix both sides right. I cant let that cancer continue to rot so in the least, withstanding appearance, I’ve got to stop the process by cleaning it up and treating it with a good rust inhibitor like as you suggest Fluid Film or Wool Wax. If it were a newer vehicle and looks was important I’d spend the money and have a good Shop make it look new, but for now anyway, I’ll do the latter. Thanks for confirming the use of one of those two products.

 

I totally understand what you're saying. I've been accused a few times of wasting "MY" money on my 2004 Ranger. I bought the thing new, and have had some body work on it, both front fenders and both doors replaced. I get more compliments on that than I do my modded out 2020 150. Was it worth it? To me it was, to others, not so much except for appearance.