What to do with fender rust before it gets too cold

[RChiTj]

I have a wonderful TJ 2000 with rust on the front fender and at the bottom of the door on both driver and passenger sides.
I was going to fix it this summer but .....

I live in Edmonton Alberta and currently it is 70 F (21C) - lovely.
Tomorrow and the next day it is forecast to be 54F (12C) - getting chilly
After that the high will be 32F (0C) and colder. It will be that way until March or April. Sighhhhh

So my question is: What can I do quickly (on Saturday) to stop the rust from spreading with little or no concern what it looks like.
I will fix the looks next spring.
I have a grinder, a sander, a cutter, metal mesh, bondo, epoxy, por-15 kit, a mask, gloves, no welder.....
Your thoughts will be much appreciated.
Thanks
Archie

 

[P man]

Boy that's pretty bad. I would just brush some rust killer on there with a topcoat of whatever paint is handy and call it good until you are ready to replace.

Or you could leave it as is and not worry about..it can't get much worse

 

[RChiTj]

Boy that's pretty bad. I would just brush some rust killer on there with a topcoat of whatever paint is handy and call it good until you are ready to replace.

Or you could leave it as is and not worry about..it can't get much worse

Thanks for the reply.
"Replace" relates to the fenders. I can purchase new ones. Tricky to install but ... That would be the job for the spring.
What about the rust on the side panels? I imagine I will have to cut it out and add a new piece of metal. Yeah?

 

[LONGJP2]

Wouldn't hurt to start cutting / exploratory surgery.
Might give you a better idea of what you'll need to fix it later.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Thanks for the reply.
"Replace" relates to the fenders. I can purchase new ones. Tricky to install but ... That would be the job for the spring.
What about the rust on the side panels? I imagine I will have to cut it out and add a new piece of metal. Yeah?

Yep, the body spot will need a welder for a proper repair, the fenders are trash at this point and not worth repair.

 

[P man]

Yep, the body spot will need a welder for a proper repair, the fenders are trash at this point and not worth repair.

Agreed...the fenders must be replaced they are way beyond repairing and ending up with something that looks decent.

The tub sides is hard to say because once you cut into it things will grow and the job could turn into a tub swap or lots of repairs.

The more I type and think about it I wouldn't touch anything and use the jeep as is until you are ready for a large project (and warmer weather)

 

[TJ4Jim]

Agreed...the fenders must be replaced they are way beyond repairing and ending up with something that looks decent.

The tub sides is hard to say because once you cut into it things will grow and the job could turn into a tub swap or lots of repairs.

The more I type and think about it I wouldn't touch anything and use the jeep as is until you are ready for a large project (and warmer weather)

With some luck but I've repaired the exact same spot under the door on two rockers, one earlier this year and neither had any structure left and was creeping into the floor pan seam under the globs of seam sealer. Definite oh shit once the area was cleaned and I'm expecting the same once I get into the same spot on my tub later next winter.

 

[tr21triton]

pack it full of sheetrock mud and fiber tape and paint to match ! NAW I AIN'T SERIOUS.....SOUNDED GOOD THOUGH !

 

[Mac57]

Leave it alone, too far gone. Do proper repairs in the spring.

 

[Moglocker]

Leave it alone, too far gone. Do proper repairs in the spring.

Fix the body with a welder and metal,and then get some good rock rails that cover way up,buy new front fenders.

 

[RChiTj]

Fix the body with a welder and metal,and then get some good rock rails that cover way up,buy new front fenders.

Thanks for the replay. "Rock rails that cover way up" Do you mean something like this? https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-solid-rocker-tj-1150415.html. It would cover up the damage I do with a welder and metal.

 

[RChiTj]

Leave it alone, too far gone. Do proper repairs in the spring.

I appreciate your reply. This does seem to be the general consensus.

 

[Moglocker]

Thanks for the replay. "Rock rails that cover way up" Do you mean something like this? https://www.extremeterrain.com/rugged-ridge-solid-rocker-tj-1150415.html. It would cover up the damage I do with a welder and metal.

Welding easy as far as patching goes.just spot weld till you get it done,go over the top with all metal filler,undercoat the back and paint a color close,and make sure the rock rails o my bolt to the tub.