Ive busted my rear this summer to buy my first truck.. a 2003 Chevy Silverado. On the lot the thing was flawless. I paid ALOT.. and im still doing payments. After a few washes im finding rust bubbles under the paint on top the fenders. I see no bubbles on the rockers other than some minor surface stuff where the mud flaps rub. Today I was told by a freind if the wheel wells have bubbles then the chances my rockers are being eaten away inside is really really good. Frame rust isnt bad... my dads 2011 has the same amount. Im super worried and I just ordered flares. Body shop told us they can braise the rust, treat it, and put the flares on since its just surface. Im scared ****less my rockers are next though.. they seem good but but I've learned rust comes from nowhere on these trucks. I've also been told in 2003 the rockers were improved?? Should I worry?

 

How can we help?

 

Not sure where you are at but your rust issue sounds pretty minor. I live in the rust belt so I would be pretty excited about that level of rust on an 03.

If you are really worried about it, go a head and take it to the shop and let them grind it off, but have them paint it and don't bother with the flares because the flares actually promote rust.

 

Maybe consider some DIY rust treatment products from Eastwood or I've even seen some on Summit Racing. What really needs to happen is to have the whole area taken down to the metal, inside and out, coated/treated/cut/replaced/primed/ whatever and then re painted.