rust prevention

[V6ish]

Having just bought my 1st s series car, I want to make sure the car stays rust free underneath. I know this can be done yourself but I wanted a proper job done. I have just rang RT racing in Sheffield who have quoted me £399!!

Thats a strip, paint and wax oil. Seems a lot to me. Any one else had a garage do it and if so how much did it cost?

Thanks

[V6ish]

Update: I've just spoken to a local garage that have had many of my cars in the past and they have quoted £80-90. Sounds more like it.

They were also asking about access points to spray the stuff into the chassis?

Any ideas if these exist and where they are located.

Otherwise can tese be drilled and plugged after?

[moffspeed]

Speaking as a 1 week-veteran of TVR S3 ownership the best plan is to buy Steve Heath's "bible" on the S series cars.

The chassis chapter is very clear and gave me a good idea as to what to look for when buying an "S". I think this chapter is downloadable as a "sampler" from the 'net, but I'd suggest shelling out the £30 or so (well, you did get a bargain by the looks of it)on the book so that you can learn about the other bits as well...

[Barkychoc]

The outrigger tubes (they are the ones that come out from the centre of the car running just behind the front wheel, along the side of the car, then back to the centre of the car just in front of the back wheel) are very prone to rust. I would concentrate my efforts here first.

Do a search on outriggers and be afraid!

It isn't the end of the world if they are rotten, but its a lot of effort to repair them. The tubes are totally enclosed (assuming they are sound) so you can't get waxoyl inside them.

Have a look at some of Ray's (Ray S) pictures here

http://tvrserenity.blogspot.com/

Chris

[Longers]

Welcome to the happy happy world of the S forum

Any TVR indy will clean and waxoil your chassis for approx £100-£120 so for a local to do it for £80-90 seems reasonable. However for that price you'll not get the quality of job that RT would do! I've heard lots of tales through this forum of many weekends/weeks/months spent doing this as a DIY job so I spoke to RT myself about having the same done last year on my previous S (but sold it before getting the work done so I haven't used them but they come highly recommended from this forum).

At the price RT quoted I wouldn't hesitate to give them the job. They wanted my car for a week to thoroughly strip, paint and waxoil to do the job properly for the price they have quoted you. Also, being a specialist they know the areas of the chassis that need more attention than others. Remember, if it isn't stripped/cleaned properly adding waxoil can simply seal in the corrosion that may already be there.....

The chassis is one of the most (if not THE) most important things on these cars to maintain. As the car is new to you and if, as you say, you want a good job doing then get RT to do it before this winter sets in, then each year in the future getting the local to clean and waxoil it will be sufficient - you'll not regret it.

[petclub]

As Ian has said, £399 represents good value for money. £100 ish will get a decent job and certainly help, but it is not likely to be the best long term solution.