How to prevent rust

[robandsophie]

Hi,

I have read various threads and still bit confused re how far I need to go with underside and inner wings of my 1968 minor. No way is it concours or ever likely to be, but is essentially sound. Has had welding done but to reasonable standard, and then covered in a black rubbery type paint then waxoil over. I'm also finding a rubber type compound over the welds (which I guess I should leave alone)??
Do I just clean off loose bits and spray over these. Or do I need to strip right back with heat gun and wire brush? Also what is best thing to cover with, waxoil and black seems quite easy to use.
As always any advice greatly appreciated.

[biomed32uk]

It really depends on what you want, and I am sure you will get different answers from all of us.

The rubbery stuff over welds is seam sealer, so yes leave that alone as thats keeping water out from the seams, and thats where rust starts.

If there are any loose bits under the car I would certainly remove them, and treat any surface rust found accordingly. Hopefully its not the awful cheap underseal, which goes brittle, flakes off and traps water behind it. If is then it is best to remove it but its a horrible job.

If what you have is sound other than any loose bits as above I would leave it there, a good coat of dinitrol or bilt hamber cavity wax all over underneath first which will get in to the crevices, when thats dry follow it by a coat of underbody wax, the thick black waxy stuff, again dinitrol or bilt hamber.

Then do everywhere else with the cavity wax, anywhere you can put the probe in do so, inside of chassis legs, doors, cavities, behind panels, behind lamp units, up inside bulkhead cross member etc etc. Mine is pumped full of the stuff, it was dripping out for days, and is best blown in with a proper gun under pressure.

Good luck with it, messy job but well worth it.

[robandsophie]

Thanks biomed, have scrapped off about 3/4 of one side. Interesting what you find hiding under the crap. Has had some serious welding done to sills to a fair standard. Cross member is a bit ropey but solid, although someone and used filler to cover the rust! Wiring loom is frayed but wires look intact. Brake pipes look ok. I will try and post some photos!

[biomed32uk]

indeed it is, if the cars a keeper then its certainly not time wasted, just a horrible job.

Filler is not known for its anti rust properties, as long as its not bodging anything up.

If there is surface rust around then bilt hamber hydate 80 is supposed to be really good although I have no experience of it. I would certainly then be pumping the car full of wax.

My wiring loom is also frayed, the cotton is rotting in places, although not period I put some of the spilt conduit over it to protect it until such time as its replaced.