So this weekend when washing/clay barring/waxing my truck I noticed a slight amount of rust on the inside edges of the rear wheel well arches and 2 small bubbles on the outer side of the bed, not far up the body from the edge of the wheel well.

I was thinking of getting a factory style set of fender flares to cover it up.

Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMX-OEM-Styl...8b6dfb&vxp=mtr

They would definitely cover up the bubbles and spots on the edges.

Is that a good idea to buy some time? I really dont want to have bodywork and paint done for such a small problem and dont have the money for it right now either.

 

That's a common issue on many vehicles that see road salt during winter months. You can choose whatever you wish to cover the rust up, but keep in mind that it is like cancer and the longer you allow it to go untreated the more damage it will cause you in the long run. I would at least treat the area with a rust inhibitor before covering it up.

 

I figured Id get a few years or so out of it before having to repair it if I got the flares. Money is a little tight and Id hate to have to repair/repaint an entire bed side for two spots barely much bigger than the head of a pin.

 

Dont just cover them, get rid of the rust first or it will spread. Really you could just cover the rust in a paint on the inside and out then cover everything with the flares, that way it will keep the rust from continuing

 

any specific type of paint?

I figure it would take a while for it to get real bad but Id rather cover it up than see rust on an otherwise clean truck. I didnt even notice these spots the last time I washed the truck a few weeks ago.

 

Well I would get atleat something to match, but a regular auto paint from napa or auto zone would work. Im not saying to do this but it may be worth further research, I bet a Qt of roll on bedliner would work really well, cover that up with the flares and never know

 

The bedline paint might work actually, maybe Ill try that. I know just painting it with regular car paint wont work.

 

You can sand down an area to the bare metal, larger than the visible rust and then treat it with a rust inhibitor, coat it with a protectant and then cover it with fender flares. It's inexpensive and at least you'll retain some value when you trade your truck in for a new Ecoboost.

 

Who said anything about trading it in on ecoboost?

I plan on running this thing into the ground.

I dont want to screw up the body on it and I suck at bodywork. I am good at making cab corners out of a nerf football, hot glue, cardboard and fiberglass body filler though.

 

For the price of the flares, you could get the rust spot fixed, especially if it is a small area. I had a pretty large rust spot below the filler cap on my old car repaired for about $350.