9 replies to this topic

[rghli]

Hi everyone,

Just picked up a 1999 Mini Paul Smith edition. Mechanically it's running well, but the body has seen better days - lots of rust throughout and there's a small bump on the front under the headlight that I've temporarily fixed.

I'm planning a full restoration project and looking for some advice on my first major decision. Should I:

1. Repair the existing front panels (both wings and front panel)
2. Replace them entirely with new panels

With the rust situation, I'm wondering if replacement might be more practical in the long run. Any thoughts from those who've tackled similar Mini restorations?

Thanks in advance.

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Edited by rghli, 05 March 2025 - 03:29 AM.

[68+86auto]

I would be replacing those panels. It's not worth trying to repair them.

[mab01uk]

Replace both the wings and front panel as it will be cheaper and easier in the long run for a long lasting repair.

Any repairs to those existing panels will just be cosmetic and will not last very long before the rust appears again.

 

The rust in the rear side panel and flaking paint needs closer investigation, a close-up photo might help us to advise what is needed.

Edited by mab01uk, 05 March 2025 - 09:27 AM.

[stuart bowes]

If it looks like that on the outside I'd spend some time fully investigating on the inside as well, lift up the carpets in the footwells, look in the rear corners of the boot floor, have a good poke around the sills (inner and outer) and make a full list of all the panels affected before you start spending money

 

just to take stock of the issues and make the most cost effective plan

 

for example, if the floor is shot, and the sills are shot, you can buy that as all one piece (although that is a massive job) .. or maybe you just need sills.  as one example 

 

I would also take a good look at those rear quarters, you might get lucky and it just needs rubbing back and treating 

 

love the numberplate by the way (or is that just a show plate)

Edited by stuart bowes, 05 March 2025 - 10:20 AM.

[rghli]

Thanks for the input. When I mention "repair," I mean removing the rust section entirely and replacing it with a metal plate. I believe this might be easier than replacing the entire panel. It looks like I will end up replacing the whole panel for both wings and the front.

[stuart bowes]

I would, it's a lot of skilled work to replace a piece on that front corner for example, in terms of access to the welding area from inside, and getting the right curves, doing a good job of that would be very difficult, and the cost of a new panel is relatively minimal

 

the cost of spraying it afterwards, not so much, but that's the case either way I guess

 

other areas where there's a large flat area and you're just cutting out a small area of rust, yeah just put in a new square piece

 

I suppose you could consider a composite front end, but that's one of those things that comes down to personal choice and if you're trying to keep it all original etc (and no doubt just as much work involved to convert)

Edited by stuart bowes, 05 March 2025 - 11:17 AM.

[coopertaz]

would be much easier to replace both wings and front panel than trying to fabricate a repair. You can also then check rear section of front arch and under scuttle corner and reapir or treat these when the wing is off. the rear quarter is odd remove inner trim panel to see behind there may be a reair panel around arch or just a dent repair. As always with rust you keep digging so usually uncover more as you go. Nice number plate.

[rghli]

If it looks like that on the outside I'd spend some time fully investigating on the inside as well, lift up the carpets in the footwells, look in the rear corners of the boot floor, have a good poke around the sills (inner and outer) and make a full list of all the panels affected before you start spending money

 

just to take stock of the issues and make the most cost effective plan

 

for example, if the floor is shot, and the sills are shot, you can buy that as all one piece (although that is a massive job) .. or maybe you just need sills.  as one example 

 

I would also take a good look at those rear quarters, you might get lucky and it just needs rubbing back and treating 

 

love the numberplate by the way (or is that just a show plate)

It's a personalized license plate. I got the car right after getting the plate, and I think they’re a perfect match.

 

Right now, the plan is to replace the front end and wings. There's a small hole in the floor, and while the rear quarter looks bad, I don't think it needs to be completely replaced.

[evansisgreat]

I have an MPI that didn't look nearly as bad when I stripped it and it needs:

 

Boot hinge repair panel,

Rear valance and closing panels

Entire boot floor & battery box

Rear quarter repairs (I think I'll replace them completely rather than repair the panel for the reasons listed above),

Complete floor and outer sills

Heel board

Toe board repairs

New scuttle

Door surrounds at the a pillar and lower part (b pillar is still solid)

Inner wing repairs

Complete front end

Front bulkhead repairs

Various small repairs elsewhere

I've probably missed a panel or two.

 

So don't underestimate what you'll find under there.

[gaspen]

If you have the appropriate tools AND knowledge to forming (bending. curving, flanging ) repair sections from sheet metal then it will be cheaper but it will take many hours.

 

Replacing whole panels a bit easier but they also need adjustments here and there. But these are rust free at least.