w108 tiny bubbles above headlight

[markovr6]

My newly inherited 1968 280se has a few tiny rust bubbles about the right headlight, they have not broken through the paint.

What is the best way to address this issue? Is it worth having this spot of bubbling removed, smoothed and repainted or is the only permanent solution to replace the fender as this bubble is just a hint of deeper rust in the fender?

The reason I ask is that it appears to be the only rust spot on the entire body, and the paintwork is still very good.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions on rust bubbles above the headlight on w108s!

[Tomguy]

Unfortunatley, it often means rust has gotten underneath and it's pretty much impossible to get in between the headlight recess and that part of the fender to properly cover that rust up. Have it repaired soon or you will have to replace the fender. If you don't want to worry about it for now (if it's not too bad) you can go underneath, clean it out well, and soak it with POR-15 or whatever to stop the rust from spreading, then have it fixed later.

[billrei]

Just to add to Tom's good advice. Most likely dirt has packed into that recess which is holding moisture and causing the rusting. Take a high power hose or powerwasher and blast that area to get rid of all the dirt. Then follow Tom's recommendation of POR 15.

[BradleyP]

Good to know, I see that spot on a lot of the California 108s that I come across. In fact my 67 250SE had it on one light. One would think that some of the folks in the central valley run into a lot of dust/dirt and that'd seem like a likely place to collect.

Time to go do some preventative powerwashing. Anyone have a right front fender handy? Powder Blue preferrably?

[markovr6]

thanks for the advice, guys! Looks like I'll be doing some powerwashing and applying POR-15...