7 replies to this topic

[aml1989]

Hi guys!

I'm Andy from Edinburgh, and it's my first post on TMF! Bought myself a 2000 Rover mini cooper (and love it), next on my to-do list is some bodywork. Got some colour blending practice on my old corsa before I sold it, but it didn't need any filling.



Some rust at back of the a-panels (door hinges are concealed type), just wondering if that needs welded or if i can get away with filler. Slightly worse on driver's side than passenger, no evidence of rust near the hinges.
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Rust under rear window (driver's side). Felt some damp on the rear seat the other day, So I'd like to do that one first (and check window seal). Again, is this okay with just filler to smooth it over?
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Finger-size hole in bonnet, with bubbling around it - will filler take the heat?
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Minimal work will be done until it's warmer, or I can get the car under cover - just after advice for now.

[mattbeddow]

You can filler it but i strongly suggest you do the job properly.
If you filler it, the rot will continue and youll have an even bigger problem in a few months time.

Start by sanding it all back untill there is no more rust, then make a decision. if you can make a bit of metal to weld in place of what youve removed then stay clear of the filler.

Also, the bonnet and filler are a bad idea, after a few opens and closes, it will start to crack around the edges and youll have to start again. This is defiantly a new metal job

Edited by mattbeddow, 11 December 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[Sam]

Those A panels will need replacing, and the bit under the window needs cutting out and a new bit welding in.

You may be able to cut out the rust on the bonnet and weld a new bit in, but the easiest way is to get a new bonnet.

[brum,brum,mike]

Will proably be best to find a good condition second hand bonnet, and paint it. Under the windo you could weld in a repair section. Are the windows opening ones or fixed? If they're openable ones, post another pic up with the window open, the repair may need to be bigger that it first looks (mine is rotten all the way under the windows), And definatly best to replace the A panels.

Hope this helps :)

[Algordo1100]

Welcome!
Dont fill rust fella. get some new metal in there

Al

[Carlos W]

Welcome!
Dont fill rust fella. get some new metal in there

Al

I second this

[aml1989]

Wow - that's a lot of quick replies!

Will get a pic of the window open when it's light, I did buy some filler but kept the receipt.
Guess I'll need to learn to weld :)

Plenty of paint bubbles to practice colour matching with in the mean time.

Thanks guys!
- Andy.

[sonikk4]

The A post flange that the A panel wraps around will be rusty as well. If you are lucky then a repair piece will sort out the top of the rear quarter panel but the rust will have taken into the waist rail as well. It tends to start in between the quarter panel flange and waist rail flange.

With the bonnet if its gone up that far then alomg the front edge behind the trim panel will be rusty as well. Get a second hand one.