Underside of fenders?

[Olafskii]

Does anybody have recommendations for restoring the underside of fenders? When new these were probably were never chromed very well and might have even rusted when the bike was new. I could leave as is, or glass bead blast or even get it re-chromed. The latter option doesn't make sense because nobody will see under the fender (this bike will be a rider, not a concourse queen). Leaving as isn't ideal--the rusting will continue. And, glass bead blasting, while removing rust, would simply invite more rust. Has anyone ever painted the underside of fenders? Perhaps using a grey zinc primer? (of course I'd remove all the removable bits and properly mask everything to prevent spray on the chrome top. Thoughts?

O

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[Alan H]

Wire brush or bead/media blast and paint with hammerite silver. No-one is any the wiser and it doesn't re-rust.

[Zunspec4]

+1 with the Hammerite Silver.

[dgoodsy]

I briefly googled the hammerite product, lots of good reviews on it in similar applications. Since you say its a rider and no one will see the underside of it I think POR15 would be a good option as well. Lots of people use it on car subframes so I can't imagine it wouldn't be up to the task here.

[joolstacho]

Thoroughly clean and degrease, roughen up the surface, neutralise with rust converter, then paint with automotive underseal. It's thick and it will not chip with road gravel etc like 'normal' paint.

[Bloop2]

I just use a silver rust inhibiting paint, I don't mask anything off, the over spray can be removed with acetone.

[Olafskii]

Thanks for all the tips. I've decided to go with the POR15 product--Silver. In part because i was able to purchase the degreaser and etching cleaner right here in town at Canadian Tire and Lordco Auto parts. I ordered the pint of silver direct from POR15-Canada. Shipping cost was $15 which isn't too bad.

Merry Christmas everyone.

O

[joethebike]

My tip is to carefully examine the strengthening gusset spot welded to the underside as these have a hollow section which collects dirt, keeping a wet surface constantly against the metal and out of sight. Two of my mudguards have rusted badly under these gussets with the corrosion breaking through to the chromed top surface.

[Alan H]

Nothing worse than a rusty gusset. I would think it's hell on the undercarriage.