Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
- KidCreation
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Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase) was created by KidCreation
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209917The arches feel solid to the touch but I wanted to get the opinion of those with far greater knowledge than I (I don't even rank as an amateur, this would be my first foray into classic ownership) so what do you think?
My assumption is that I can grind down the bubbling (presumably I should also grind down the blackened area at the bottom where it meets the sill?) to clean metal, then apply a rust converter, followed by primer, paint and lacquer. It doesn't really look too bad to me but that's based on nothing. So I wanted your knowledge, does this look straight forward or does it look bad? Am I getting into a world of hurt?
Any thoughts, help, guidance etc are greatly appreciated, I've toyed with owning a TF for 16 years and now might finally be the time
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- judiths handyman
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Replied by judiths handyman on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209919Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Replied by mowog73 on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209920[size=10pt]Mark[/size]
95 MGF
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Replied by TA22GT on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209921I think disking that down will go through in places. It wouldn'tbother me but if you aren't used to it then it may be tricky.
If that is all the rust showing anywhere it wouldn't put me off if the car is mechanically solid. Check for head gskt replacement during its life.
Keep us posted.
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- Airportable
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Replied by Airportable on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209922Those pictures, I would say, would be considered very encouraging & as the chaps say a bit of rubbing back & a paint should be relatively straightforward.
Do you know where to find the paint code?
M
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Replied by Cobber on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209923"Keep calm, relax, focus on the problem & PULL THE BLOODY TRIGGER"
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Replied by TA22GT on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209926Your approach on how to do it is spot on.
Only one of the arches looks like you could produce pin holes and if it does repair it from behind by cleaning it up and applying a small patch of glassfibre matting. Don't just put filler over the holes it will come through very quickly. You can underseal the matting.
This weather is not good for painting if you have to do it outside as there is too much moisture in the air and it will blush. Primer won't matter but paint and lacquer will.
Try get it inside and immediately before you spray warm the panel and you will be ok.
Any pics of the whole car?
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Replied by EllisoJo on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #2099271. Whilst that rust could be removed, treated & painted, it looks very much like the surrounding sills and probably other areas have already been re-sprayed. If so, rust has re-appeared and that makes me doubt that the panels were properly prepared before that (cosmetic??) re-spray. If I were considering that car, I would insist on taking a good look underneath, to see what other rust is visible. The front mounts of both the front & rear sub-frames have a reputation for rotting first. There is also a notorious mud-trap at the back of the front wheel arches. Water & muck drop down the wheel-arch liner, and are trapped between plastic & steel. Rot follows.
2. How much service history, invoices or (ideally) a photo history of work being done. Cambelt changes and a properly replaced head gasket are the two "must haves" in my mind, unless the car is cheap.
Back in March 2021, I found rust in the same rear sill area as you. Photos of the rust spots and the re-spray are attached. At least your paint colour will be easier to match than my Starlight Silver!
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- Notanumber
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Replied by Notanumber on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago #209928As others have said do check when the cam belt was last changed and plan to change it f it was much more than 6 years ago.
How much is the seller asking ? What is the rest of the car like ?
2003 TF 135 sunstorm
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- KidCreation
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Replied by KidCreation on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 2 days ago #209933As for the rest of the car it's head gasket was done 5000 miles (2 years) ago by Trophy Cars as was the cam belt and water pump, its also had a new clutch, exhaust and stainless steel cooling pipes since then too and i didn't spot any additional rust. the underneath of the sills appeared to be black and felt very solid to the touch, i suspect the black is some sort of rust prevention treatment and it didn't appear to have bubbled (pardon my ignorance but could the black be some kind of treatment coating? and could this also be some of what can be seen where the arch meets the sill in the photo or is that just more rust?)
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- KidCreation
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Replied by KidCreation on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 2 days ago #209934I think my biggest fear here was me not realising that this is actually very bad and could even be terminal, but if its not then i'm happy to take a go at trying to resolve it, you have to learn somewhere right?
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- KidCreation
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Replied by KidCreation on topic Wheel Arch Rust Assessment (Prior to purchase)
Posted 2 weeks 2 days ago #209935In terms of history and invoices fortunately that's where the car shines! in the last 5000 miles (2 years) its had the cambelt and head gasket done by trophy cars, it's also had stainless steel cooling pipes which i beleive are a key upgrade for protection against this issue as well as new clutch from Rough Luck racing and a new exhaust
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