Can the car side skirt be replaced if it's rotten?
2 Answers
It can be replaced. As long as it's not severely damaged, such as dents, paint peeling, scratches, or rust, it can be repaired on the original part without needing replacement. More extended information is as follows: Cutting and welding to repair rusted areas: For metal side skirts, rusted areas can be repaired by cutting and welding. Use a grinder to cut off the rusted part of the side skirt, then weld a piece of similarly sized sheet metal in its place. Smooth and level the weld points with the grinder, then apply paint to finish. Others: Dents in the side skirt are also relatively easy to handle. For plastic ones, you can try pouring some hot water to let it bulge back on its own, or use specialized pulling tools to pull it out. For metal side skirt dents, they can be pulled out using a dent puller. If they can't be pulled out, you can cut them off and weld new corner material in place.
Of course, you can replace the car side skirts. This is a common service in auto repair. I had the same issue with my own car before. The side skirts are the lower body panels near the chassis, which often rust and rot due to mud and water erosion. I recommend first finding a reliable auto body shop to check the extent of corrosion. When replacing the parts, pay attention to whether you're using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts or aftermarket parts, as there's a big price difference. Also, check the condition of the chassis rust-proof coating to prevent the new side skirts from corroding again. The whole process involves disassembling surrounding components, reapplying rust-proof treatment, and repainting, with costs ranging roughly between 2000 to 5000, depending on the car model and material choice. Additionally, rotting side skirts often indicate a damp chassis environment, so you might consider installing mud flaps to protect the new body.
