3 replies to this topic

[applemccann]

I'm thinking about buying a mini that's been 'professionally restored' including sandblasted and resprayed. Question is: how many years does a proper strip down and respray buy me before rust starts to become a problem again? Is this the answer to all my rust fears, or am I just delaying the inevitable?

 

I guess it depends on what they used to prepare / treat / paint / underseal / waxoyl. 

Thanks

 

[sonikk4]

There is a proper strip down and there is a Proper Strip down. Without photographic proof of what has been done then its all down to here-say. And unfortunately you see a lot of that.

 

Sandblasting or media blasting is good but and its a big BUT, a mini is comprised of 0.9mm and in some places 1.2mm thick steel. So any rust that has been removed by this process and no panel / steel replacement means the material could be a lot thinner than standard.

 

If everything has been removed / replaced properly, all seams have at a minimum weld through primer in them, sealed properly, cavities painted and waxoyled or similar. and a good quality primer / topcoat then there is nothing to say with decent care and cleaning a restored car can last 10 years plus.

[applemccann]

Interesting, thanks for the advice Neil. 

 

I will inspect carefully! 

[MiNiKiN]

Also depends what you are using the car for and where. As a shuttle vehicle in the road salt depot it will obviously last less long than as an occasional summer weekend ride -

whatever the previous restorion was like