25 replies to this topic

[Bevan]

Last september I spent lots and lots of money getting a front end rebuild done by some mini specialists. I have noticed where the scuttle panel meets the wing on both sides, the paint is starting to crack. I am not verry happy about this as I didnt spend lots of money for something like this to happen.
Question is, does this happen on all minis or is it down to poor workmanship? It looks to me like once the paint has been broken, its the first step of the ladder for rusting and can only cause more problems in the future. It seems to be worse on the right hand side (if looking at the car infront of you) Should I go back to the place I got it done by and give them an earfull?
Really I just wanted to know if this happens in general on minis.

Right hand side



Left hand side


Many thanks in advance

[wolfys_mini]

you should feel lucky it happned after so long! mine did that after a few weeks and now is cracking round the seams

[alexcrosse]

to be honest, it looks like they havnt let the primer or kurust underneath cure before putting the next coat on. Tell them that.

You could wirebrush paint off the area yourself, kurust, zinc primer, primer, paint, flat it and more paint. You mini will be off the road for a couple of days but you should be ok after that. Or get them to do it!

[luvlygal]

Mine doesn't look all too healthy at the moment... stupid rust!

[Bevan]

The seams around the front panel between my grill and stuff are in perfect condition, just happens to be these. I will give them a ring later and moan.

[Teapot]

Same here. In fact I don't remember ever having a mini which didn't have cracked paint between scuttle and wing. However, unlike your car, Bevan, mine has taken over two years to get to this state. by the way someone once told me the gap isn't supposed to be filled in anyway, and that vibration will always crack it if it is painted over. (Tin hat on at this point.)

[Elfie]

It's not welded along there is it, so it's bound to crack.
Luckily my elf has a lovely shiney crome strip running along that so it's all good! Can't see it

[Bevan]

ok at least I know its not down to a bodge job!

[Ouster]

Mine's the same, it annoys me as it looks a bit tatty but nothing is a premanent fix

[Jordie]

This was how mine looked


Pulled the bodge out


Found this after cutting the front off



And will look like this when welded up


Jordie

[Captain_Cabinet]

That seam was not filled in from the factory as far as I know. When I first took mine to Minimaster they showed me an example of where the seam had been brazed and painted, which is obviously better than filler and looked good.

However they had had people complaining about it being filled in apparently so have stopped doing it as standard so mine is left unfilled.

When we bought the project mini 30 there was a massive amount of filler in there to try to disguise bad panel alignment.

[Senile Old Git]

It looks like a seam sealer issue, let us await a response from our Paint Surgeon (You have been promoted).... Panel Beating Pete!!

[Bevan]

Is there anything I can do to prevent this? I dont want to leave it and then it gets all rusty.

[GreaseMonkey]

Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

I would like to know the above as well, if anyone has an answer ?

Please

[Bean]

i'd like to know how to remedy this, too!

The paint on the seams under reggie's headlights has split