Nissan Repair: 1990 Nissan Maxima rust, rear wheel wells, nissan maxima

Question
Hi, my 1990 Nissan Maxima is beginning to rust and is spreading very fast on the rear wheel wells. Both mudflaps are missing and when I look up behind the right rear wheel well (to the right of the trunk) I can see clear through to the motorized antenna and when I look in the right rear wheel well I can see a section of my seat where there is no more wheel well. The rest of my car is reaching this point also. Snow tends to get stuck in the new hole just below the antenna and I empty it out almost everyday. I have a similar problem on the left rear wheel. Is there anything I can do to stop this rust from spreading? or do I just wait out the winter and junk it before the next winter?

Answer
Hi Jefferson -

Yes, unfortunately there is not much you can do when the rust has spread. It is just like cancer, or an iceberg. What you see on the surface is only a fraction of what is going on underneath. That is why rust is so hard to contain. You can certainly slow the process by spraying the area with rust preventive paint or primer, but aside from replacing fender panels, it will still continue. Where I live in Hawaii, the salt air certainly creates havoc on that one.

What you can do for now, is try to eliminate anywhere that water can settle and pond. Even drilling drain holes will help.

Hope this helps -
calvin