Fender flares to cover rusted wheel wells?

[revtim]

This 97 Legacy I bought has some rust on the rear portion of both rear wheel wells and I was trying to figure out a possible fix that wouldn't cost more than the car is worth and thought about those aftermarket fiberglass fender flares.  Could a person cut out the cancer real clean then paint the metal and clean and undercoat the wheel wells to prevent reoccurance of the rust then install fender flares to cover the cut out portions?  I am thinking buying and installing those would probably be cheaper than welding in new sheetmetal or fiberglassing the cut out area and some tasteful fender flares (not to exaggerated) wouldn't look bad at all... I hope.  

 

Your thoughts? Does this sound like a reasonable idea to me because I am speaking from ignorance or does this idea actually have some merit? 

 

thanks

[heartless]

the flares would actually accelerate the rusting problem - they would trap and hold dirt/debris/winter salt against the metal - the dirt/debris/winter salt holds moisture which is what causes the rust in the first place.

 

best bet - if it isnt too advanced - is to clean up/cut out as much rust as you can, and repair by either welding in new metal, or using fiberglass, and treating/painting properly to seal against future damage.