Jack Plate Rust Repair, Found some Rust! Options

[warrenoliver]

While waiting for some exhaust gaskets to repair an exhaust leak, I decided it was about time to finally take off the rockers to check out the gunk that accumulated in there.
Driver's side looks excellent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)
Passenger side initially looked good until I started poking at a lump under the paint on the lower part of the jack plate. Damn screwdriver went right through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) . I started picking away and found that it wasn't as good as I thought. So, I started to grind away the paint and rust to find the extent of the cancer. Looks like the lower part of the plate is bad and a little of the front part of the plate is bad also. I doesn't look like that thing can be removed without cutting the fender so no way am I going there!
I have not yet ground away most of the metal on the lower part of that plate, but I will. When I look through the holes I can see the outer part of the long and it looks rusty. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

I know this is not nearly as bad as many,but this is mine and I don't want rust on my car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Now what? How agressive do I want to get with attacking this? I can certainly cut the plate away, but I do not weld and I am assuming this will have to be rewelded.
I need help with what is the next step. How much of that plate do I remove and once I remove it, and fix the crap underneath, do I just get someone to weld a patch on it? What do I do with the rust on the long, just remove and then POR15?







Warrenoliver