Chassis rust proofing
Discussion
In barely over a week it'll be September. That's pretty scary... not just because another year is fast dissapearing, but because it won't be too long before the perma-damp returns and, shortly after, the salt. So, the time has come to rust proof my chassis, I think. What are the options?
The tubes have got the odd bit of powder coating chipped off, where it's been shot blasted by a gravel trap some time in the past and there's a little bit of surface rust in places as a result, but it seems to be structurally sound. I don't really want to start taking the body off or anything (and I'm not too keen on the idea of removing the de Dion tube etc) but depending on the cost/complexity I'll consider all the options. One possibility, for example, might be for me go as far as a basic under-coat and then hand it over to someon like The Seven Workshop for finishing.
The idea is to get the car to a state where it can be used throughout the winter without any detriment to the chassis, come puddles, salted roads etc.
The tubes have got the odd bit of powder coating chipped off, where it's been shot blasted by a gravel trap some time in the past and there's a little bit of surface rust in places as a result, but it seems to be structurally sound. I don't really want to start taking the body off or anything (and I'm not too keen on the idea of removing the de Dion tube etc) but depending on the cost/complexity I'll consider all the options. One possibility, for example, might be for me go as far as a basic under-coat and then hand it over to someon like The Seven Workshop for finishing.
The idea is to get the car to a state where it can be used throughout the winter without any detriment to the chassis, come puddles, salted roads etc.
Apologies for hijacking your topic Chris, but with winter not too too far away and my '94 car looking a bit peppered in the undercarriage department, I too am considering a bit of renovation/rustproofing.
My intention is to remove the running gear from each corner and have all the appropriate bits re-powder-coated. With the car on stands and with the corners removed I'll be able to assess what's needed in terms of chassis refurb - I'm hoping to get away without removing riveted panels and just touch up the chassis where necessary.
Has anyone else been down this route, and know what to look out for/what to expect?
My intention is to remove the running gear from each corner and have all the appropriate bits re-powder-coated. With the car on stands and with the corners removed I'll be able to assess what's needed in terms of chassis refurb - I'm hoping to get away without removing riveted panels and just touch up the chassis where necessary.
Has anyone else been down this route, and know what to look out for/what to expect?
Laurence7 said:
Apologies for hijacking your topic Chris, but with winter not too too far away and my '94 car looking a bit peppered in the undercarriage department, I too am considering a bit of renovation/rustproofing.
My intention is to remove the running gear from each corner and have all the appropriate bits re-powder-coated. With the car on stands and with the corners removed I'll be able to assess what's needed in terms of chassis refurb - I'm hoping to get away without removing riveted panels and just touch up the chassis where necessary.
Has anyone else been down this route, and know what to look out for/what to expect?
More the merrier! I suspect we're not the only ones facing this issue at the moment.My intention is to remove the running gear from each corner and have all the appropriate bits re-powder-coated. With the car on stands and with the corners removed I'll be able to assess what's needed in terms of chassis refurb - I'm hoping to get away without removing riveted panels and just touch up the chassis where necessary.
Has anyone else been down this route, and know what to look out for/what to expect?
Might look at doing something a bit more thurough like that myself. The first step is going to be a trip to the Seven Workshop to get an assessment/quote I think and then I'll decide what to do and how much of the job to do myself.
I did a full interior stripout over the winter of 2006, some details at www.superse7ens.co.uk/chassis.html if you're interested. It's worth doing a good job because it'll last for a lot of years.
BTW, I drilled out and refitted around 700 rivets .... all by hand!
Stu.
BTW, I drilled out and refitted around 700 rivets .... all by hand!
Stu.
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