32 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

thats good news then

yes the outer just goes over that really, it needs a little panel making at the front on mine too.

i would take it back to bare metal. krust it, then etch prime it, then a skin of filler if necesary, then some primer, then topcoat and laquer etc. squirting waxoil in there is another good idea i recon

mine fell through nearenough when i poked them lol.

oh well all the fun of mini owning.

i would make a start on it as soon as you can tho, then you wont have to worry for a little while more...

Yeah like 2 panels right next to each other with big holes being the jack points and these drain squares.
I think the bigger worry is whats happening between the 2 panels, so repainting outside might not do much.
I think first i might be best of squirting some jenolite or similar if possible in drain square holes then waxoyl or similar and
then do painting and see if brown comes back!

Thankfully car seams really good overall low mileage about 18k and only driven around town before i got and been garaged all its life.

hehe yea the drive is worth it!

I plan to do it in this summer for sure!

[bunch1980]

Have a nose round some of the restorations in the projects section there's bound to be some useful piccies. The drainage holes are along the joint between the inner and outer sills, there's also and extension of the cross member the seats are bolted to where the jacking point is. It's hard to say from a photo but I would be surprised if there isn't one or two more MoT's life in that.

When you say drainage holes are these the 6 sqaure holes in outer sill or is there more holes i am missing?

As far as i can gather looking at body panel pictures. The outer sill fits flush with inner and the seams come together below the door where my picture shows rust making a gap in seam and the we have voids of these 6 sqaures and jacking points am I right?
Where does water come from that drains out?

See quick sketch have i got it right in that is the sort of hollow area out side floor where rust is likely to be?

Attached Files

•  SILL_outer.pdf   6.24K   30 downloads

Edited by bunch1980, 20 April 2010 - 08:13 AM.

[bunch1980]

Bumpety bump...... is my sketch sort of correct?

[Ethel]

you're more or less there. No shortage of rusty Minis on the web


The bottom seam overlaps the floor where the bend is and the 6 drainage holes you've found are along the overlap. I guess drainage isn't exactly the right term, no water is allowed in there intentionally but inevitably there will condensation if nothing else so ventilation is needed.

[bunch1980]

you're more or less there. No shortage of rusty Minis on the web

Bumpety bump...... is my sketch sort of correct?

Thanks, so if i find the one piece floor is rust free then I can look at cleaning up the outer sills and adding some rust stuff through those 6 square holes each side and then re paint! will hopefully keep it at bay for some time.
Now what rust converter to use? and was thinking of using a plastic syringe to squite it in through those square holes.

[panelbeaterpeter]

I wouldn't worry too much, those sills look in excellent condition compared to most minis! Just get rid of all visible rust, treat it and topcoat, then pump em with lots of waxoyl.

[Ethel]

I was looking at the gap in the seam you found under the finishing strip when I suggested rust converter. As Pete says, they're original panels in pretty good knick. Spraying converter in to the box sections would be of limited value as you can't scrub off any loose rust first to get at the steel that is reacting. Just brush or air blast the vents to make sure they are nice and clear and get busy with the waxoyl.

[bunch1980]

I wouldn't worry too much, those sills look in excellent condition compared to most minis! Just get rid of all visible rust, treat it and topcoat, then pump em with lots of waxoyl.

Thanks i hope they are inside to! yeah im looking for colour match touch up paint at mo, will rub down then treat rust with jeonlite or similar then
prime and paint etc and fill with waxoyl!

[bunch1980]

I was looking at the gap in the seam you found under the finishing strip when I suggested rust converter. As Pete says, they're original panels in pretty good knick. Spraying converter in to the box sections would be of limited value as you can't scrub off any loose rust first to get at the steel that is reacting. Just brush or air blast the vents to make sure they are nice and clear and get busy with the waxoyl.

I think thats what worries me most is gap in seam, will squeeze as much jenolite or similar in gap! then prime and paint etc.

Yeah will do the vents with waxoyl sorted!!

[sonikk4]

If you do decide to pump waxoyl into your sills before you drill any holes peel the carpet away from the inner sill and you may find some grommets already installed. Saves drilling anymore.

[miniman24]

If you do decide to pump waxoyl into your sills before you drill any holes peel the carpet away from the inner sill and you may find some grommets already installed. Saves drilling anymore.

And you can always use the rear seatbelt mount holes as an extra one in each side

Edited by miniman24, 21 April 2010 - 04:58 PM.

[bunch1980]

Thanks all!
Now if there are no holes and grommits there, where is the best place to drill them?
Or is it simply easier to use rear seat belt mounts as miniman says?
Is the rear of front seat belt where the retract real bolts in the door bins?

[panelbeaterpeter]

I think he means the front seatbelt lower mounting point, just before the bin on the inner sill.

[miniman24]

I think he means the front seatbelt lower mounting point, just before the bin on the inner sill.

Yep pbp's right - the two bolts right in front of the rear bins, on the inner sills - sorry if I wasnt clear before

[bunch1980]

I think he means the front seatbelt lower mounting point, just before the bin on the inner sill.

Yep pbp's right - the two bolts right in front of the rear bins, on the inner sills - sorry if I wasnt clear before

Thanks no worries im quite new to mini ownership so just getting my head around how all panels go together and that and where rust might hide in box sections!