the 4runner i purchased yesterday (1997 ltd) had some bubbling rust around the rear wiper.
So far i've grinded off most of the rust and coated it with a rust inhibitor/converter
for the part with the hole, i bought a self adhesive bondo patch to bridge the hole and act as support for bondo putty.

Is this the correct way to deal with this? Any tips on getting underneath that bit of wiper arm?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bo...l#.VRdbhPnF9x0

 

With the massive hole I'd say cut out around it a weld in a patch. I don't know that the bondo will hold up there. But give it a go and you can always weld in a patch later.

 

Bondo will never last!Remove the wiper arm and any other trim in the area and cut out all rust until you have clean metal.Then fabricate a patch panel out of 20 guage sheetmetal and weld it in.Grind down the welds and apply short hair fiberglass filler over the area making sure to tightly push it into the welds.Sand down the fiberglass and swipe over the surface with a quality body filler.Then prime and paint.Also forgot to mention inside panel on gate should already be removed in case you start a fire when welding.Also use a seam sealer and seal up the weld on the back side of the repair and paint that area.Good luck and hope this helps.

 

You can see in the pic the rust goes under the license plate surround.It will continue to eat its way out.

 

thanks for the advice! i think that'll have to be the plan.

I'll bondo it for now, but make plans to get it welded with a patch.

that area will be covered by a spare tire eventually anyhow, so it doesnt matter if the weldjob is noticeable at least.

 

Pull the panel off the inside and use body panel cement to glue a metal patch from behind. Unless you are really good at welding thin metal...


You can use Bondo for the touch up but it's got to be kept thinner than a dime. Even a Canadian dime.