Nerf Bar Weld Rust - Any Advice??

I have some N-Fab nerf bars that I just noticed have a small hole in the weld that appears to be allowing some rust. Any advice on "plugging" it?

Right now I'm thinking a tiny bit of JB Weld and black paint.

Before you tell me to get proper sliders - it's a 2wd and doesn't see off roading more than turn rows in the summer and logging roads during deer season.

 

JB weld will do just fine, I would file it down a little bit too so it has something to grip onto.

 

Good idea on hitting it with a file first.

 

IF I were trying to make a cosmetic repair of that, JB weld would be on my list of good things to use.

BUT...!

The tubes are likely rusting inside. The blow hole is just where water movement is showing the activity.

SO.....

Before applying any sealer, I would drill that pinhole just large enough to fit a "Fluid Film" (or creeping rust inhibitor of your choice). Then I would empty 1/2 a can of the inhibitor inside the hole (OK, 1/2 a can is a lot, but I wouldn't skimp.

Then, I would wire brush (or file) the rusty hole to clean metal and would spray the outside area with brake cleaner, or wipe it down well with solvent and then alcohol.

Getting any oily contamination removed and none creeping back out of the hole.

Then I would mix up a drop or two of JB weld and dope up the area. Coming back to repeat the application if the pinhole remained.

Keep in mind, every hollow welded structure MUST HAVE a breather hole. Best off in the lowest spot to let any condensation out. If there were NO pinholes in the weld, such as you have shown here. A weep hole might not be needed. But if there is one hole, there are likely others. Those holes "breath", and air moves in and out with temperature. air brings with it humidity, that turns to water , and causes rust! You MUST stop that rust!

Fluid film will coat the entire insides ...eventually.

 

RC

Fluid film is another good idea. There are plastic plugs on both ends so I may not need to drill it out.