Morris Minor Owners Club

Quick question! My new girlie is coming home after Christmas

I’ve been debating whether to pop her straight into the garage and have lanoguard applied as I do plan to drive her through winter. I was having a chat with the seller about this and he said she has had a wax seal treatment which seems to have lasted out pretty well as she’s really solid underneath and has never had any welding… so I’m wondering do I need to go straight ahead and get lanoguard applied? How do I know when these things need doing?
Also will the old stuff need to be removed before the lanoguard is applied?
Sorry if these sound like daft questions

Why not ask seller the product he used and stick to it, as in reapply, as its obviously worked to date. Possibly Waxoil? I think thats what mine has been treated with, light brown waxy substance in joints and box sections.
Read mixed reviews on lanoguard but never used it, maybe someone who has will come along with a view

I am not for one moment suggesting you try this but we would mix old engine oil with whatever claggy waterproof substance we could cheaply lay our hands on and slap it everywhere underneath.
In the shipyard where I served my apprenticeship everything from car panels to sheds was painted in Jotun red, the protective paint used on the hulls of super tankers, old tins would often be discarded with an inch or two in the bottom, a scavenging or an anti waste philosophy was endemic.
It is interesting also to note the number of cars that have had a new passenger and drivers side cross member section welded in, leaving the centre part in situ because it was not rotten.
The reason being engine oil leaks travel down the centre, protecting the central section from corrosion.
What we learn from this is do not be too fussy about what protects the car, more yes do protect it, especially if used in winter.
It is not so much water that is the main issue as salted wet roads that are more corrosive.
The good news is that although they should be protected, wings are bolt on and easily replaced.
As for the question will the old stuff need to be removed, highly unlikely, but reapplying what is already in place would make sense, particularly as it has proven efficacious.

I agree with Bill - find out what was previously used before deciding what to do and whether a different product would be compatible or not with it. But if what was used has done a good job, that is an advert for using it again at some point. The other thing is to carefully inspect underneath to make sure nothing has started to peel or crack before applying anything new. Then, of course, there are the box sections and other hidden areas which would benefit from treatment.

Thank you for the replies. Not sure exactly what was applied previously. It was done professionally way back (before the seller purchased the car), can’t remember the name of the company, their sticker is on the car but they are no longer in existence. The seller said he had never felt the need to redo it as it had held up so well but of course it’s entirely up to me if I want to have something else applied.
I’ll wait til she’s home and decide then

Yes, best not to rush into anything without doing the research first ............maybe someone from your local club could check it out and advise.

Lanoguard is good stuff...sprays well even in cold weather, and sticks where it is sprayed.
BUT.....it stinks worse than a flock of wet sheep for quite a while after you have applied it. You could have a swarm of flies following you down the road.

Haha yes I’ve heard it stinks to high heaven!
I’ll get her home then decide. Just want her home now… not long!

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 10:35 am It was done professionally way back (before the seller purchased the car), can’t remember the name of the company, their sticker is on the car but they are no longer in existence. The seller said he had never felt the need to redo it as it had held up so well...

It may well be something called 'Ziebart' which was a bituminous type coating that was applied professionally and, I seem to remember, came with a lifetime guarantee. This came on to the scene here in the 1970's and continues to be available:- https://www.ziebartworld.com/

Myrtles Man wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 4:02 pm

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 10:35 am It was done professionally way back (before the seller purchased the car), can’t remember the name of the company, their sticker is on the car but they are no longer in existence. The seller said he had never felt the need to redo it as it had held up so well...

It may well be something called 'Ziebart' which was a bituminous type coating that was applied professionally and, I seem to remember, came with a lifetime guarantee. This came on to the scene here in the 1970's and continues to be available:- https://www.ziebartworld.com/

Could have been something like that. Whatever it is seems to have done a pretty decent job. I will confirm once she’s home!

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 7:29 am I am not for one moment suggesting you try this but we would mix old engine oil with whatever claggy waterproof substance we could cheaply lay our hands on and slap it everywhere underneath.

Old engine oil may well have beneficial effects on your Morris nuts, but it didn't do my nuts any good.
Several years into a 35-year career in the motor trade, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was anecdotally (but not pathologically) linked to exposure to used engine oil by my consultat oncologist.
So my suggestion would be to steer well clear of the stuff no matter how good or cheap it may be.

I was lead to believe that OLD engine oil is corrosive.

I have used Waxoil and Lanoguard. Both work very well. When I bought my 10 year old Traveller in 1979 I had to have the chassis legs welded every year for the MOT. I was just chasing the rust. In 1981 I had the chassis legs replaced at Charlie Ware's in Bath. When I got her home I generously sprayed the inside and outside with a Lanolin oil that I pinched from work (pretty much the same thing). The cassis is still rust free and the insides look the same as the day I sprayed her. I have just bought a tub of Lanoguard and resprayed the underside as a precaution. It does smell but that goes away after a couple of days. I only used about a quarter of the tub so I can reapply for a few years to come and it only took ten minuets.

unclealec wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 7:30 pm

moggiethouable wrote: ↑Thu Dec 18, 2025 7:29 am I am not for one moment suggesting you try this but we would mix old engine oil with whatever claggy waterproof substance we could cheaply lay our hands on and slap it everywhere underneath.

Old engine oil may well have beneficial effects on your Morris nuts, but it didn't do my nuts any good.
Several years into a 35-year career in the motor trade, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was anecdotally (but not pathologically) linked to exposure to used engine oil by my consultat oncologist.
So my suggestion would be to steer well clear of the stuff no matter how good or cheap it may be.

I admire your attitude and laconic humour in the face of adversity.
Of course this is one of the reasons I started with suggesting not trying it.
A friend of mine suffered the same fate, his was pinned down to excess mountain biking, I kid you not.
Carcinogens are prevalent in hydrocarbons, its interesting to note mechanics now wear protective gloves, though I have yet to see one with a face mask on.
Perhaps one benefit of electric vehicles is the lack of oil/fuel to handle.
Lithium, as used in batteries, is used to treat certain medical conditions, but the list of side effects is as long as your arm.

Oh wow, I never gave a thought to how the chemicals might affect our bodies… thank you for sharing that. Precautions will be taken!

I was sceptical about Lanoguard, but have used and am impressed. It's inert, so won't affect anything already on there, and will give extra protection. It is easy to apply, and actually great for your hands! Only downside is it does smell a bit 'sheepy' for a couple of days, to the point any passing escaped sheep may try to hump your Moggy!

exlkrs wrote: ↑Fri Dec 19, 2025 4:42 pm I was sceptical about Lanoguard, but have used and am impressed. It's inert, so won't affect anything already on there, and will give extra protection. It is easy to apply, and actually great for your hands! Only downside is it does smell a bit 'sheepy' for a couple of days, to the point any passing escaped sheep may try to hump your Moggy!

Luckily there are no sheep where I live then