DIY rust repairs - how hard?
Discussion
Spotted this bmw for sale. Guy on Pistonheads owns this. His wife's and its done 300k. That's all on original clutch allegedly. So an e36 318 sport which must go for cheap money as it has some rust problems and star ship mileage. So how hard would it be to attempt a repair on this rust at home with basic tools. I guess the wind screen will need to be fitted by a professional but these can come to your house right.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...
Is it worth it? The car's done 300K so it will have worn. You can replace the mechanical bits but the shell will have had masses of flexing over that mileage.
With regards to the rust. It depends how good a job you want to do. Matching metallic paint is not easy, getting a bodyshop to do it isn't especially cheap - you'll be looking at hundreds for those two little bits.
On the other hand if you just want something to smoke in you could just wet and dry the rust off, apply kurust, prime and paint, with plenty of flatting between coats. If you don't take the windscreen out it will spread back again but if it's only surface it'll take years before it's a problem. I wouldn't take the windscreen out, the cost of getting it refitted is probably more than the car is worth. The bottom of the door is less of an issue as it doesn't involve special reassembly and few people get on their hands and knees to look at it..
But I certainly wouldn't recommend it unless you're looking to run it as a banger until it falls apart and are prepared to accept a less than perfect finish.
With regards to the rust. It depends how good a job you want to do. Matching metallic paint is not easy, getting a bodyshop to do it isn't especially cheap - you'll be looking at hundreds for those two little bits.
On the other hand if you just want something to smoke in you could just wet and dry the rust off, apply kurust, prime and paint, with plenty of flatting between coats. If you don't take the windscreen out it will spread back again but if it's only surface it'll take years before it's a problem. I wouldn't take the windscreen out, the cost of getting it refitted is probably more than the car is worth. The bottom of the door is less of an issue as it doesn't involve special reassembly and few people get on their hands and knees to look at it..
But I certainly wouldn't recommend it unless you're looking to run it as a banger until it falls apart and are prepared to accept a less than perfect finish.
CDP said:
If you don't take the windscreen out it will spread back again but if it's only surface it'll take years before it's a problem. I wouldn't take the windscreen out, the cost of getting it refitted is probably more than the car is worth.
The screen is cracked and needs replacing anyway. Thats why the owner is getting rid.ATM said:
CDP said:
If you don't take the windscreen out it will spread back again but if it's only surface it'll take years before it's a problem. I wouldn't take the windscreen out, the cost of getting it refitted is probably more than the car is worth.
The screen is cracked and needs replacing anyway. Thats why the owner is getting rid.sunbeam alpine said:
GOOD rust repair takes time and costs (unless you can do it yourself).
A bodge will not last long - more suited to selling a car than if you're thinking of buying one.
Generally it's cheaper to get the best body you can, and replace mechanicals.
It depends, if you can touch it up and live with a cosmetically imperfect car then it doesn't matter too much.A bodge will not last long - more suited to selling a car than if you're thinking of buying one.
Generally it's cheaper to get the best body you can, and replace mechanicals.
I've done rust repairs that have lasted the life of the car. This BMW only really has a year or two in reality so is only worth DIY.
The guy posted a while back on here asking for suggestions - as if I remember correctly he'd just MOT'd and taxed it before the screen broke.
He also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
He also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
sunbeam alpine said:
The guy posted a while back on here asking for suggestions - as if I remember correctly he'd just MOT'd and taxed it before the screen broke.
He also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1218933&mid=56562&nmt=What+to+do+with+an+old%2C+but+dearly+loved+shed+of+a+BMW%3FHe also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
sunbeam alpine said:
The guy posted a while back on here asking for suggestions - as if I remember correctly he'd just MOT'd and taxed it before the screen broke.
He also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
Sounds like it's not worth bothering with. I did express my doubts but hadn't seen that thread.He also said that the windscreen fitter had refused to replace the glass due to the amount of rust damage (also alluded to in the Ebay ad). So you'd have to make a reasonable job of repairing it before you'd get a new screen fitted.
CDP - my username/garage should indicate my views on rust repair.
It could be the windscreen fellow doesn't feel he'll get a good adhesion with the corrosion as it is but it'll be OK when repaired or it could be badly weakened. In modern cars the screen is bonded in and is actually a structural component. In anycase if the rust comes back it will cause the screen to leak.
Without taking the screen out it would be hard to tell what the case is. Unless you're prepared to buy it and break it you're just gambling. The fact you're asking how hard it is to do a rust repair also suggests this is a bad move.
Plenty more cheap cars out there so time to walk on.
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