What would be the best way to handle this small amount of rust near the fender well?

 

- Sand
- POR-15
- Primer
- Color
- Clear

Sounds trivial but if you're anything like me and HORRID with body work, easier to take it to a pro. Someting like that, my body guy would probably do for about the same as the materials would cost me.

 

Best way? Bring is somewhere where they can fix it properly

 

If this is your DD, best to do it SOON, before the rust spreads. Also, the ability to properly feather the paint in is beyond most DIYers, so get estimates from at least three local bodyshops.

 

Did you or a previous owner roll the fenders? This type of rust is usually caused by moisture and debris that builds up behind the folded lip on the inside of the fender/wheel-well. When people roll the fender to stance their ride or squeeze larger wheels/tires, the debris/moisture won't drain/escape.

The cracked section on the right side of your first picture looks alarming. At first glance it just looks like surface rust from the paint being chipped/scraped in a minor incident. But that bit at the right looks like it rusted through from the back side. If the inside of the fender is toast, might need some patching.
Best have a few professional shops have a look.
-Icer

 

And people ask me "Why did you paint and seal your inside fender lips after rolling them?"

Because I'm cautious. Woulda said "overly" cautious but apparently that's not the case.

 

Yep! This is a really common issue on rolled fenders. Every so many months, it's actually a good idea to get in there during a car wash and check your fenders for debris. Clean these areas regularly. If dirt/mud start caking on the metal there, it will hold moisture and start the rust.

Some kind of sealant is an excellent idea. I would probably have used the instead of paint, just because of durability reasons

-Icer

 

The paint is just part of the prep. Got in there with wire brush, pressure washer to clean it out then primed it after blowing it out with my compressor and letting it dry a day; final step, a full fill of clear silicone seal. Overkill? Perhaps.

 

I didn't roll the fenders, but it's a daily driver and it's seen a lot of snow/salt.

 

Nissan steel body parts are zinc dipped to prevent rust. The zinc coating is effective until damage penetrates the paint color coat, undercoating and zinc layer itself.