11 replies to this topic

[SnoopySidewalk]

Seasons greetings folks. Taking some time over Xmas to address a few "minor" rust patches on the underside of my 1995 sidewalk. I think it's generally in good nick. The original sills have been painted over at a time with a Waxoil product I think as they are hiding a bit more rust I bet.dont think they are over sills though as can see original paint below....I think

Anyway after wiring brushing I was going to treat the rust patches with Owatrol then etch prime, then prime then stone chip then paint.

First mini....it's garage stored and I am going to be precious over it but my dad look at the underside and laughed at me. Doesn't even look at the rust he had on his ones back in the day! Advice/thoughs- especially on the sills welcome. Will post more finds/progress as and when I get on with it!

Today's photos are from back right corner as that's where I have started.

Thanks guys

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[sonikk4]

Picture 1 :-you already have an issue with the rear heelboard return where the outer sill tucks in behind. I can see its already torn and thinned down so i will put money down the heelboard area behind the trunnion has issues.

Also i can see the inner arch closeout is quite crusty, hopefully that is more surface than penetrating rust.

The corrosion on the trunnion and pin is standard fare and will clean up.

All of the other pictures from a bodywork point of view needs attacking with a twisted wire cup in a grinder, then a decent rust treatment like Bilt Hamber Deox gel, followed by epoxy primer etc.

The actual subframe looks to be standard fare, so that in my mind would be to take it off, strip everything off it, sand blast / media blast to see if there is any serious corrosion and then go from there.

[SnoopySidewalk]

Thanks Neil. will keep posted. I do fear what's lurking around the healboard as I see a rust patch in the right hand passenger bin and also started into attacking the drivers sill and maybe more rust hiding under the waxoil. Have been summoned by the missus so will not likely get anymore at it today. I know I need patches in the two front footwells....just not sure yet what the waxoil is hiding!

[sonikk4]

Well all you can keep doing is cleaning and looking. If there are patches of rust in the companion bins then my concerns about the heelboard will be true. If the rust is at the rear of the companion bin on the inner sill section then the rust will more than likely be behind the heelboard captive nut bracket.

[SnoopySidewalk]

So got an hour and a half of cleaning done at it today on the drivers side. One of the previous owners had waxoiled the sill so sprayed it with White Spirits last night to soften it. As I expected there was a bit of work done to the drivers sill. Halfway up they have cut the old will out and out a new one in....don't think it is an oversill. As you can see the drivers footwell is a mess. I knew this as you can see it's been badly patched from the outside and bluffed in with fillers- it looks a bit like a deformed Cookie Monster. Inside it doesn't look too bad but there is a hole in it. Doesn't seem too bad up into the front arch bit it's been welded at a time before.

Attached pic of the LHS companion bin...not sure if this is what you were expecting Neil? Bit of rust under the seat but the boot looked decent....

Rust further on up the drivers sill towards the rear arch....guess that will need addressed now I have it cleaned. So thinking new footwell and right-hand sill at this stage.... obviously thats only the start of the list as hoping those on here/my mechanic will keep me right.

Don't think I am going to tackle any welding myself at this stage as I am a newb. Will leave it to my mechanic but I'll do my best to uncover as much as I can for him.

Idea will be get it tidied up as much as possible for MOT in May, get what's needed to be resprayed done and enjoy it over the summer! See what raises its head for next winter!

Originally it would have been white diamond underneath and on the sills but it was previously waxoiled black....think I will revert to white diamond, more cleaning but at least it draws focus to the underside so anything that might be lurking under there I will pick up when cleaning.

Thanks

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[sonikk4]

Someone has been busy welding in a patchwork quilt, and yes that rust in the companion bin looks very much like what i suspected.

 

Also that outer sill is toast, what you see there is the tip of the iceberg and the inside of the sill will be rusty as hell i'm afraid. Definitely been some work going on there in the past. 

[Ben_O]

Looks like its going to need inner and outer sills, lower front flitch repairs and at least heelboard ends both sides.

This is what I would recommend if you want to get to the bottom of the issues and have a lasting repair going forward.

The panels are cheap and plentiful and would make for a great little project if you are that way inclined yourself.

Loads of advice, pictures and descriptions on how to carry out the work on here is you need it.

Certainly not the worst by any means but best tackled soon.

Cheers
Ben

[SnoopySidewalk]

So this morning's progress. Jacked it up a bit higher to get underneath her. Fuel pump and fuel lines have a fair bit of rust on them. I'll leave those to the pros.

The minor wee blemishes on the underside I was going to rub back a bit further, treat with Owatrol, etch prime, stone chip and then top coat. Not intending being too fussy at this stage, from what I am uncovering I'm starting to appreciate what people mean when they say "it's a mini" in regards to rust- on going project/investment. So want to get the sills etc sorted and back on the road for a summer of fun rather than tackle everything I uncover now. Sort out more issues next winter, enjoy over summer, repeat etc etc Yes might pay twice etc but bought it to enjoy it!

Started stripping the passenger side sill. It hadn't been touch previous apart from a repair at the flitch and the heelboard. Again I knew there were repairs needed in the footwell from looking at it on the inside...

So the inner sill is definitely shot on this side. Will cut a bit out of the way for my own noseyness tomorrow but as stated previously I'll leave it to the pros to fix it.

Also took some photos of the drivers front. Top of the flitch where it meets the A Frame will need addressed at some stage as will the bit in the last pic mounting the arch to the bulkhead (excuse lack of terminology...newb)

Hopefully local auto supplies are open tomorrow to get more fine wire brushes for the grinder and some more flappy discs! They didn't last too long with the Waxoil (I know see why my mechanic doesn't like the stuff! Plus it was hiding a multitude of sins from previous owners!)

Thanks again- also sorry the pictures are at the bottom of the posts and not through the thread- haven't figured that bit out yet!

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[sonikk4]

Yup all standard fare to be honest but that outer sill is toast. The kicker will be what is hiding behind and like Ben has said inner sills to first flute will be the way forward to sort out a lot of your issues.

[SnoopySidewalk]

Few months from my post. Got the wee machine back last week. New sills both sides for now. Wasn't too much on the inners but in the spring light I now see, aside from awful resprayed panels over the years, that the two doors will likely need reskined sometime soon (opportunity to rectify a previously mismatched paint job!)
Remaining patches all mended and in a more respectable condition!
Bodywork guy, mechanic and I talked about the finish to the under side so carried the original colour down over the sills and then waxoiled the rest/arches. Think she really looks the part and have had a blast driving her the over the last week! Like I said before,long term project, time to enjoy it! Thanks for your advice gents!

[SnoopySidewalk]

Would help if I attached the pic!

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[E23TFD]

She rides again! It’s always the balance of going all the way in and knowing it’s coming off the road for a time. That time if done at home can be who knows when other stuff in life to do!!

Gets her rolling for the sunny (hopefully) months and then at it again over the darker part of the year.