21 replies to this topic

[monkeymayor]

Went to see a mini thirty tonight  - there was a few strips of bubbling paint on it (drivers door, under headlights etc) seller said it wasnt rust but was because rover didnt know what they were doing with paint back in the day so it had bubbled, and had been that way on this particular car for the last 5 years. could this be correct? 

 

thanks

[Richie83]

It's rust. Granted Rover weren't famed for rust proofing or prepping paint, but in those areas I'd say 99% that's rust. Any photos?

[Ben_O]

Definitely Rust. It's a classic mini rot spot.

[monkeymayor]

It's rust. Granted Rover weren't famed for rust proofing or prepping paint, but in those areas I'd say 99% that's rust. Any photos?

no photos, the main bit was a strip along the drivers door, a patch at the front of the bonnet,  and along the very bottom along the back. to be fair to the seller there was paint chipping off along the top of the boot too, that even my untrained eye could see it wasnt rust, but the rest of it i just didnt know

[monkeymayor]

i guess my next question would be what sort of money would it be to fix it up (roughly, obviously)

[KernowCooper]

Echo Rust !! love the story though about the sellers comments, the bit about 5 years is most likely true its been getting worse for that time. Price wise could be front panel and wings to rid it completely, rule on rust bubbles is its twice as bad as it looks, price hard to say but someone who does these will chip in.

[Miniminx71]

Mine (1997) has got a tear drop shaped paint blob under the headlight and that was a bad paint job but you can definitely see it's a run not a bubble.

[sonikk4]

Rust bubble on the door will invariably lead to a re skin.

As already mentioned everything else will lead to panel replacement at the worst or if you are skilled enough then sections removed and new metal welded in.

All of this rust starts from within the flanges especially on the front panels. Even more so on the doors. You could rub back, treat, fill and repaint but you will be doing it on a regular basis. Replacement is the only true way to fix.

[monkeymayor]

Rust bubble on the door will invariably lead to a re skin.

As already mentioned everything else will lead to panel replacement at the worst or if you are skilled enough then sections removed and new metal welded in.

All of this rust starts from within the flanges especially on the front panels. Even more so on the doors. You could rub back, treat, fill and repaint but you will be doing it on a regular basis. Replacement is the only true way to fix.

 

 

thanks - heres a link to some pics ive had sent over

 

http://s1286.photobu...vbehan/library/

 

also, the mileage is 70,000

[monkeymayor]

It's rust. Granted Rover weren't famed for rust proofing or prepping paint, but in those areas I'd say 99% that's rust. Any photos?

hi mate

 

heres some pics ive had sent over  

 

http://s1286.photobu...vbehan/library/

Edited by monkeymayor, 02 July 2014 - 11:14 AM.

[Jordie]

Headlights and top of wing is rust id say.

 

never seen a door rot there before, possible paint reaction but also possible rust. Id be taking it apart before it gets worse.

[firstforward]

That is bubbling metal called rust, new wings and front are a start.

[minisilverbullet]

My alarm bells would be ringing with this seller. Its rust, he knows its rust, but he has made up some fable to try and fob you off. 

 

Wonder what else he is hiding. I would run a mile. 

[HarrysMini]

The door on my 93 Cooper was starting to bubble there, it's all definitely rust. And as Craig says above, I would wonder what else he's hiding from you.

 

Personally, I'd leave it and find something else.

[Ben_O]

You can't really hide anything on a Mini. If all that is beneath the rust is rust and not filler then you will know it is a genuine car that just has the usual Mini rust problems.

 

Its when you see one that is wobbly and wavy with a nice fresh coat of paint that i would be worrying.

 

If you are worried about major stuff thats been covered up with filler, take along a magnet but if it looks original then it's a good start. Its better to chop out a crusty bit of metal and replace it than to have to grind out inch thick filler from a dodgy repair.

 

If you are interested in it, perhaps also take along someone who knows this stuff to get a better idea.

 

You will be very hard pushed to find a Mini with no rust on it, unless it has been properly restored and looked after since.

 

Ben