9 replies to this topic

[clintjb]

Hi All,

Over the weekend I'm going to have a crack at taking some rust out on my mini. I was just wondering any recommendations on how to approach it?

 

I was simply planning on using a Dremel tool with a small wire brush end and going at it.....

 

From the photo of the seam you can see its quite rusted. What would people recommend, cleaning it up and repainting or simply replacing?

 

Sorry for all the silly questions, but my first mini and my first time working on the body - so some advice is always appreciated.

 

Thanks in advanced and Cheers,

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[tiger99]

Sorry but, as always, these are worse than they seem and need full or partial panel replacement by welding plus a lot of preventative work to stop it spreading.

[sonikk4]

The door skin needs replacing as there will be rust forming on the flanges which is why that rust you see has occurred.

The last pictures appears to be the flange trim piece which is easily replaced.

[dyshipfakta]

My advice is don't touch it until your prepared to do something major. Reskin door etc.

[Magneto]

Folks don't realize that these cars rust from the inside out, by the time you see it it's much worse than you think......

[mini-geek]

That looks like a bare shell resto

[tiger99]

I would not go so far as to suggest a bare shell resto yet. Proper local repairs "may" be all that is necessary. It all depends on how good every other bit of the shell is. The OP may be very fortunate and not need any more than that, for quite some time. But being a Mini it will need a full restoration eventually.

We should be helping him to establish the true extent of the problem. The rust needs to be cut out and replaced by good metal, so what is needed first is to establish the full extent of the rust. We can see some bits that definitely need doing. They may be all, or there may be much more. I would suggest carpets and interior panelling, door cards and rear pocket bottoms out and external trim strips and maybe bumpers off for a full examination. (Don't have to do it all at once!) Wheels off and up on axle stands to check underneath. And worth getting a borescopes or cheap remote camera for a look inside awkward places.

[clintjb]

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses... So I’ve taken the advice of Tiger and freed up some space to put it into the garage on stands to do the work advised.

 

Borescope is on the way and will have a good look over it (even just for interests sake)

 

Will keep you all posted (and with some horror pics more than likely) on how it goes.

 

Thanks again.

[clintjb]

Hi All,

So took a little longer than expected but yes you guys were right - I have quite the job ahead of me.... A panels, sills and RH wing needs replacing - largest concern though is on both sides near the rear wheel arches (below are the attached photos) I have found some large rust spots that go through completely. Can anyone tell me what part this is (replacement?) and how best to go about attacking the problem?

 

Cheers....

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Edited by clintjb, 04 January 2017 - 10:10 AM.

[spraybeater]

As you say you have quite a job ahead! download mMachine parts catalogue and the parts are 

listed with part numbers   the 1st photo rear wheel housing IF the only bit of rust showing

(doubtful) could be repaired,3rd photo heel panel corroded to excess needs replacing Subframe

of and I am afraid thats just the least of it needs cover sills removed and the rest. I hope

you can weld as just panels alone will be a fair chunk of cash!!!!!! best of luck.

Theres plenty of threads on the project pages of all these jobs.