Rust Repair & Metal Work in Franklin, WI
Looking for a body shop that actually does rust repair? You found one. Cut out, welded, refinished — done so it doesn't come back.
Wisconsin Salt vs. Your Car — We're on Your Side
Milwaukee County roads get tons of salt every winter, and salt is the single biggest reason Wisconsin cars rust years before the same models in dry states. Rockers, wheel arches, cab corners, door bottoms, tailgates — we've repaired them all, thousands of times, since 1964.
Plenty of shops won't touch rust because doing it right is real metal work — not a skim of body filler over a bubbling panel. Our repairs start with cutting out all the corroded metal, because rust left behind keeps eating. Then we fabricate or fit new steel, weld it in, seal it, and refinish it to match.
- Rocker panels, cab corners & door bottoms
- Wheel arches & quarter panels
- Patch panel fabrication & welding
- Rust-through around trim, moldings & windshields
- Surface rust & paint bubbling caught early
- Full panel replacement when repair isn't economical
Want to keep rust from starting in the first place? Read our guide: How to deal with rust on your car in Wisconsin winters.
How We Repair Rust So It Stays Repaired
- Honest assessment We probe beyond the visible bubbling — rust you can see is usually a third of the rust that's there. You get a free written estimate and a straight answer about whether repair makes financial sense.
- Cut out the corrosion All rusted metal is cut back to clean, solid steel. This is the step cheap repairs skip, and it's why they fail within a year or two.
- Fabricate & weld new metal We weld in patch panels or replacement sections — fabricated in-house when factory panels aren't available.
- Treat & seal Surrounding metal is treated, seams are sealed, and backsides are coated so moisture and salt can't restart the process from behind.
- Refinish Primer, computerized color match, and clear coat — the repair disappears and the panel is protected for winters to come.
Repair or Replace? An Honest Answer.
Sometimes fabricating a patch is the right call; sometimes a replacement panel, fender, or door is cheaper than the labor of repairing a badly rotted one. Because we do both, our recommendation is whatever costs you less for a repair that lasts — and if a vehicle is too far gone for the repair to be worth it, we'll tell you that too. Sixty years in the same community doesn't happen by overselling rust work.
Catch It Early — It's Much Cheaper
Paint bubbling is rust's first visible symptom, and it means corrosion is already working under the paint. A small spot treated now might cost a fraction of what a rotted rocker panel costs two winters later. If you see bubbling, a brown stain, or a soft spot, get it looked at — the estimate is free.
Rust Repair FAQs
Do body shops actually do rust repair?
Many turn rust work away — Root River Auto Body doesn't. We've done rust repair and metal fabrication since 1964. We cut out the rot completely, weld in new metal, and refinish the area so the repair lasts.
Is rust repair worth it, or should I just sell the car?
It depends on how far the rust has spread and the vehicle's value. Cosmetic surface rust and localized rot in rockers or wheel arches are very repairable. Widespread structural rust in the frame or floors may not be economical. We'll give you an honest free assessment either way.
Why does rust keep coming back after repair?
Because many quick fixes just sand the surface and cover the rust with filler and paint — and the rust keeps spreading underneath. A lasting repair means cutting out all corroded metal, welding in clean steel, treating the surrounding area, and sealing it before refinishing.
How much does rust repair cost?
Small localized spots caught early are relatively inexpensive. Rocker panels, cab corners, and wheel arches that need metal fabrication cost more because of cutting, welding, and refinishing labor. Estimates are free and take only a few minutes at our Franklin shop.
See Bubbling Paint or Rust Spots?
Don't let another salt season make it worse. Stop in at 8595 S 27th St. in Franklin for a free assessment — no appointment necessary.