removing the weather strips above the tires? I have seen a lot of subarus with rust on rear quart panel wheel arc next to the rear bumper:eek:

yeah, they trap salt/sand and dirt in between the rubber strip, on both sides, and how it is swedged onto the fender rib.

If you take them off, and put some good wax on there inside and upper side of the fender lip, and leave them off, it will help prevent rust

IMO it is worse leaving them off as rocks then CHIP the paint off and it rusts. So what I do is remove the rubber part, clean the metal lip, then wash the rubber part with soap and water. Then I use this rust proofing spray that is very sticky and spray teh inside lip of the rubber with it then put it back in place and the oil will spill out and coat the metal nicely and make a very good seal so pretty much no debree gets between the rubber and metal for a while. I do it as often as I feel I should.

I did pretty much the same thing as Ericem on my last OBW, (an 02) except that I filled the rubber groove with waterproof axle grease before putting it back onto the car.

I always toss them. They trap dirt and water.

I did pretty much the same thing as Ericem on my last OBW, (an 02) except that I filled the rubber groove with waterproof axle grease before putting it back onto the car.

 

Even better of a idea!

removing the weather strips above the tires? I have seen a lot of subarus with rust on rear quart panel wheel arc next to the rear bumper:eek:

 

I removed mine! Don't see any advantage to keep those strips of rubber......they don't seal well

The front fender lip isn't protected by the fender liner, and it holds up just fine.

 

I take them off. I'd prefer the area to be open to washing than being a closed groove holding saltwater against a seam.

My neighbor owns a body shop and regularly rebuilds high end European cars....needless to say he does all my body work too and he told me to always always always remove those rubber strips

My passenger side is bad where that strip was it's to the point where the rust is moving a little past the inside of the door, I'd have to take a picture of it..

 

I would wield it but my wielder is 90A far too strong for body metal.

Took a picture yesterday to show what I mean

 

Took a picture yesterday to show what I mean

 

 

Can you get a new panel?

A well done job would be to weld new sheet metal, but takes some skill

Not sure never looked... I'd guess I'd have to look at a body shop for a panel? I can do decent wielding but can't use the one I have here it's way too much for thin sheet metal..