8 replies to this topic

[Fast Ivan]

Hello all,

I’m after some advice and opinions on the body work of a Mini I am looking at buying. Overall the body work is fantastic but there are signs of bubbling here and there. To me it doesn’t look to bad but I would value some expert opinions.

[attachment=134984:A panal.JPG][attachment=134985:headlight.JPG][attachment=134986:scuttle.JPG]



The first pic is the drivers A panal and the area is about 40mm long. The second pic is the headlight area (obviously!!) and the third is the scuttle.

Are these areas of bubbling repairable relatively easy? Or are we talking panel replacement? Any ideas of the costs involved would help as well.

Thanks in advance.

Rob.

[Noah]

These are not panel replacement jobs, You can take the windscreen out sand back, rust protector, etch primer, primer pain. the same with every where else.

[Artful Dodger]

As above. In an ideal world wing replacement will get rid of the rust in that seam (where that rust came from) but that's expensive etc etc so to prolong the original wing panel grind back and paint will be fine

[sonikk4]

Although the above statements will do for a short period of time unless the panels are replaced it will come back. Treating it now will help but by next winter it will be back. The A panel rust will have started from behind so its a double whammy there as the rust will not only attck the A panel but also the A post flange the A panel wraps round.

As said though sand back to bare metal (you will need to pull the windscreen) treat with Jenolite / Krust etc skim of filler if the metal is pitted then prime and paint. It will give you time then to save for the replacements at a later date.

[Fast Ivan]

thanks for the opinions, so realistically I would be looking at replacing panels at some point should I go ahead and buy it, these can't be saved?

Edited by Rob Mac, 25 November 2012 - 10:04 PM.

[sonikk4]

If you are going to keep the car once you have bought it then yes then replace the affected panels. You can keep rubbing back reprotecting etc but you will keep on doing it. I know its a pain because of surface rust but a mini always rusts from the inside out.

[Artful Dodger]

im not so sure. it would definitely try and just clean the rust up ( and do this really really anally! NO rust to remain) and then see how it is after. if rust returns, you will eventually need to replace the panels


also, if you look, the rust isnt actually coming from the wing / front panel seam. its coming from the seam ( or indent) under the light. so it may not be wing replacement time.

Edited by Artful Dodger, 25 November 2012 - 10:16 PM.

[sonikk4]

im not so sure. it would definitely try and just clean the rust up ( and do this really really anally! NO rust to remain) and then see how it is after. if rust returns, you will eventually need to replace the panels


also, if you look, the rust isnt actually coming from the wing / front panel seam. its coming from the seam ( or indent) under the light. so it may not be wing replacement time.

Its still a seam and thats where the rust has started. It may also be the previous owner has already sanded it back etc and its come through again. Pound to a pinch of salt its come through from behind it and you will find its perforated. It may not look like it but i would put money on it.

The A panel will be rusting from behind and coming through. The scuttle again will be be hiding something. As a precaution take a mirror and decent torch and look up and under the scuttle where it meets the bulkhead to see if anything is lurking there.

[Noah]

Unless you have a midas a mini will always eventually rust. Theres a few options to stop that but they're expensive and time consuming; chemical dipping and then having the whole shell galvanised.

I keep seeing adds for Zinc Coat or something like that in Mini Mag. But all these require a bare metal empty shell.

By the car as you'll never have a mini that won't rust, fix the problem, layer the car with waxoil or dintrol whatever you prefer, keep it under a good few layers of carnuba wax or sealent whatever you prefer and try to keep it under a car cover on in a garage.

Other than that theres not alot you can do other than obviously replace the panels.