aluminium side skin corrosion
Discussion
Hi all, my Caterham is starting to show a few signs of corrosion on the side skin underneath the sill protector and where it meets the scuttle. Can this be repaired or does the whole skin need to be replaced? If a repair is possible can anyone recommend a bodyshop in the NW? Many thanks.
sorry, cant recommend a bodyshop in your area, but if it's corroding there, you need to check out the lower part of the sideskin where it goes from round section to square. That may not be obvious until you look. Half way between the scuttle and the front suspension.
What age is your caterham?
Bert
What age is your caterham?
Bert
Corrosion is coming round from the scuttle/skin join where the last people were too lazy to paint it properly. This may be people who did it originally.
No need for a new skin, although (as originally) the scuttle will need to be removed to do the job properly
Sorry, don't know anyone that far north who can help
No need for a new skin, although (as originally) the scuttle will need to be removed to do the job properly
Sorry, don't know anyone that far north who can help
In that position, I would have thought there's a chance it's because the metal strip that holds the scuttle down is rusty/damp. You might be able to get away with removing the scuttle, treating the offending strips, making good the bubbles (sand, fill, paint) sealing the area from water and then refitting.
Of course, it may be the chassis itself corroding (as it is when you get bubbles lower down) but it's worth checking before getting new side skins and a respray.
Of course, it may be the chassis itself corroding (as it is when you get bubbles lower down) but it's worth checking before getting new side skins and a respray.
Edited by Epimetheus on Thursday 3rd June 08:39
Thanks for the advice. It's a 2003 car which I've owned from new. I've had a closer look and it looks like the sill protector has 'pinched' the paint underneath which would explain some of the corrosion, the suggestion re the metal strip securing the scuttle sounds plausible too. I'll see if I can get a temporary repair done to the bits that are visible and then start saving up for a re-skin (how much?). Meanwhile if anyone can recommend a good body-shop in the North-West that could handle the scuttle repair please let me know.
Jasper7 said:
. . . .then start saving up for a re-skin (how much?).
Parts wise, you will need long side skins (c.£100ish each) which have to be fitted (easy but you need to know how) and welded to the remains of the back panel (retain this if possible as it's expensive to replace). And then prep/painting of course. It's a fair old job and won't be cheap so if I were you, I'd just tart up the blemishes if there's no serious underlying problem.M&M are up your way and do Caterham body/chassis repairs
Epimetheus said:
Jasper7 said:
. . . .then start saving up for a re-skin (how much?).
Parts wise, you will need long side skins (c.£100ish each) which have to be fitted (easy but you need to know how) and welded to the remains of the back panel (retain this if possible as it's expensive to replace). And then prep/painting of course. It's a fair old job and won't be cheap so if I were you, I'd just tart up the blemishes if there's no serious underlying problem.M&M are up your way and do Caterham body/chassis repairs
edb49 said:
Any idea for the cost of the whole job?
Sorry - I have no idea on actual prices as I have always done this myself.M&M will give a reasonable price I'd have thought - I have some mates who use them. Use their price as your benchmark. Have a read up on Blatchat about prices as they vary a huge amount depending on who you use and how much you can do yourself. There is a lot of relatively simple labour involved(i.e. simple disassembly/derivetting and assembly/rerivetting), if you can cover that yourself, you will save you a lot of money.
Edited by Epimetheus on Thursday 3rd June 16:02
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