9 replies to this topic

[weeally]

Come across this problem. Looking at it and could be well above my ability. Is this a tricky job to do yourself with very little welding experience? Or a costly repair at a garage? This is the only major rust part on the car. Had a good look and prod with screw driver and all is good.

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[sonscar]

If that WAS the only rusty part it is a fiddly but easy repair,BUT is is pretty corroded and will most likely be much worse when looking for sound metal to weld to.Expect sucking of teeth,also depends on your expectations.Without seeing it in the flesh it is impossible to say.Good luck,Steve..

[weeally]

With a mini I dont have any expectations haha something always pops up unexpected

[sonikk4]

To give you some indication of possible outcomes, here was my Cluuby before resto

 

 

 

 

So you will need the A panel off to access the corrosion and go from there. Further on in my resto you will see how much further i had to go in these areas. So tip of iceberg springs to mind when you see stuff like this.

[weeally]

Guess it's a question of do I open it up and give it a go. Mind I've no welding experience but have all the kit. Or do I give it to a garage to do. What are your views on this. Is it as hard as everything looks until you try it??

[Homersimpson]

Guess it's a question of do I open it up and give it a go. Mind I've no welding experience but have all the kit. Or do I give it to a garage to do. What are your views on this. Is it as hard as everything looks until you try it??

Welding isn't hard if you have the equipment, its worth having a play around on some metal before tackling the car.

 

If it does look bad when you do it you can always grind it down and do it again.

[RustyAutoCityE]

Also remember depending where you take it, a garage may just do the minimum which might look good for a few years, but doesn't deal with the root cause.

 

Give it a go yourself, at least then you know whats been done.

Edited by RustyAutoCityE, 21 September 2020 - 06:28 PM.

[weeally]

I might regret this. So I'm going to give it ago myself

[sonscar]

There is a tendency to restore everything which is no bad thing.Sometimes a repair is a better choice for some,sure you may well have hidden rust but so have most Minis.There comes a time when the repairs stack up and then a tough choice: sell?restore?scrap?All part of old car fun.Best wishes what ever your choice.Steve..

[exuptoy]

I just purchased a 93 SPi Cooper a few months back which looked in good fettle but in obvious need of wings and a panels. So far I have purchased a full front end and already replaced the door frame and next job will be floor/sills repair then subframe mount repair and I haven’t even looked at the other side!