Rust proofing new chassis
Discussion
I bought my car earlier in the year. As it's my first brand new car I'd like to keep the underside/gubbins pristine as much as I can. To that end I've already painted the calipers, brake dust shields and the exposed parts of the brake disk with Hammerite smooth.
I'm now thinking about doing the other parts that rust underneath the car - namely the wishbones and bracing etc. I've read about POR15 but that seems to be for keying to already rusted parts... any recommendations for a product to protect new shiny stuff? Stick with Hammerite or try something else?
I'm now thinking about doing the other parts that rust underneath the car - namely the wishbones and bracing etc. I've read about POR15 but that seems to be for keying to already rusted parts... any recommendations for a product to protect new shiny stuff? Stick with Hammerite or try something else?
POR15 is fantastic but the parts need careful preparation. You can use it on new metal that's correctly prep'd.
I wouldn't waste my time with Smoothrite. It'll flake off as soon as you use it.
What car is it out of interest?
Can you just lather everything in Dynax?
http://www.bilthamber.com/dynaxs50.html
I wouldn't waste my time with Smoothrite. It'll flake off as soon as you use it.
What car is it out of interest?
Can you just lather everything in Dynax?
http://www.bilthamber.com/dynaxs50.html
RicksAlfas said:
POR15 is fantastic but the parts need careful preparation. You can use it on new metal that's correctly prep'd.
I wouldn't waste my time with Smoothrite. It'll flake off as soon as you use it.
What car is it out of interest?
Can you just lather everything in Dynax?
http://www.bilthamber.com/dynaxs50.html
It's an MX5 RC.I wouldn't waste my time with Smoothrite. It'll flake off as soon as you use it.
What car is it out of interest?
Can you just lather everything in Dynax?
http://www.bilthamber.com/dynaxs50.html
Dynax looks like what was used on my old GTV V6 by it's previous owner - my specialist approved of it when I took it in for a service but it looked a bit unsightly if you ask me (if it's the same stuff).
I'm wanting to paint to kind of get that neat looking 'powdercoated' look if you catch my drift.
HellDiver said:
Most, if not all cars sold in the UK have rust protection, or are galvanised. You're wasting your money slapping on additional protection.
Erm. Have you seen how wishbones, disks, calipers etc grow corroded with rust over time? I'm not talking about the metal underbody of the car.hornetrider said:
Erm. Have you seen how wishbones, disks, calipers etc grow corroded with rust over time? I'm not talking about the metal underbody of the car.
No, not really. My 6 year old Mondeo with no additional rust proofing hasn't corroded. Everything underneath is fine, even the bolts in the suspension are still yellow anodized. That's a Ford. My folks have a 7 year old Mazda, and it looks perfect underneath, nothing has corroded and fallen off. In fact, it looks as good now as it did when they got it at 2 years old, and they live in the country up a single track road that floods for 3 months of the year. I'm talking nearly a foot of muddy water to ford.
I'm still confused why you think they'll rust.
cars do rust, even newer ones. Whilst we were looking for a Ka for the other hand, we saw several on 03 plates that had rust. It just takes a little longer than it used to.
Depending on how long the car is going to be kept for, it might be a waste of money. less than 5 years, don't worry. 15 years, yeah do it
Depending on how long the car is going to be kept for, it might be a waste of money. less than 5 years, don't worry. 15 years, yeah do it
HellDiver said:
I'm still confused why you think they'll rust.
Because I've seen the state of calipers and underbody parts on 3 or 4 year old MX5s. Look, I'm not here for a bloody argument or opinion on whether or not I should get it done, I'm here for advice on what product to use. 
Edit: Look at this
Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 14th December 11:23
After lurking for a while a first post about rustproofing is a bit depressing.
Dinotrol comes recommended from others, and it's what I've used on my vehicle, which was a product of the dark BL era until I had to replace almost every original steel/iron oxide part.
As mine was now bare zinc, I applied etch primer, POR15 and then Dinotrol on top. In other parts (axle casings, springs) I used the Dinotrol rust convertor, followed by the wax. It's easy enough to use, and quite cheap.
I can't imagine that any surface corrosion would have any undue effects on the running or maintenance of a new car, but I guess it's pretty unsightly...
Dinotrol comes recommended from others, and it's what I've used on my vehicle, which was a product of the dark BL era until I had to replace almost every original steel/iron oxide part.
As mine was now bare zinc, I applied etch primer, POR15 and then Dinotrol on top. In other parts (axle casings, springs) I used the Dinotrol rust convertor, followed by the wax. It's easy enough to use, and quite cheap.
I can't imagine that any surface corrosion would have any undue effects on the running or maintenance of a new car, but I guess it's pretty unsightly...
hornetrider said:
I bought my car earlier in the year. As it's my first brand new car I'd like to keep the underside/gubbins pristine as much as I can. To that end I've already painted the calipers, <snip> the exposed parts of the brake disk with Hammerite smooth.
I think you are being a bit ignorant and obsessive here. Firstly, brake calipers have enough material in them to make surface corrosion a mechanical irrelevance and merely a cosmetic issue. Painting them will also reduce their ability to shed heat to the environment. Thirdly, the paint you have used will burn and flake in no time, making your effort so far futile.Likewise the discs - just let them 'rust' and then replace them - painting the mating surfaces is just asking for trouble when you have to remove a wheel etc.....
r11co said:
hornetrider said:
I bought my car earlier in the year. As it's my first brand new car I'd like to keep the underside/gubbins pristine as much as I can. To that end I've already painted the calipers, <snip> the exposed parts of the brake disk with Hammerite smooth.
I think you are being a bit ignorant and obsessive here. Firstly, brake calipers have enough material in them to make surface corrosion a mechanical irrelevance and merely a cosmetic issue. Painting them will also reduce their ability to shed heat to the environment. Thirdly, the paint you have used will burn and flake in no time, making your effort so far futile.Likewise the discs - just let them 'rust' and then replace them - painting the mating surfaces is just asking for trouble when you have to remove a wheel etc.....
Plenty of people paint their calipers and there's no sign of it 'burning of flaking' at all. Ergo, not wasted time at all. Still, thanks for your valuable input.
Jesus, why does everyone in GG want a bloody argument? Give me strength!
Painting the discs is dangerous and could result in a criminal conviction for driving a car in a dangerous condition because the pads can't grab the paint (the "the pads don't contact that part" argument will not wash). If you are going to paint calipers you need to use caliper paint which will withstand the higher temperatures and brake fluid.
I would suggest taking the front suspension to pieces and sending it for powder coating if you want it to not look rusty.
I would suggest taking the front suspension to pieces and sending it for powder coating if you want it to not look rusty.
davepoth said:
Painting the discs is dangerous and could result in a criminal conviction for driving a car in a dangerous condition because the pads can't grab the paint (the "the pads don't contact that part" argument will not wash).
Eh? Are you suggesting I've painted the rotors????davepoth said:
I would suggest taking the front suspension to pieces and sending it for powder coating if you want it to not look rusty.
This is kind of the effect I'm after without the ballache, time off the road, and expense 
hornetrider said:
davepoth said:
Painting the discs is dangerous and could result in a criminal conviction for driving a car in a dangerous condition because the pads can't grab the paint (the "the pads don't contact that part" argument will not wash).
Eh? Are you suggesting I've painted the rotors????hornetrider said:
To that end I've already painted the calipers, brake dust shields and the exposed parts of the brake disk with Hammerite smooth.
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