Outriggers and perimeter chassis tubes

[eng622]

I have now looked at 5 potential cars and non have had any original paint in on the tubes mentioned unlike my V8S which I sold a few months ago. I'm not looking or expecting these tubes to be rust free but when they are freshly painted like the last one I viewed in a nobbly black paint of some sort which was already breaking down you wonder what is underneath. So is it pot luck on finding a goodun or what is it reasonable to expect.

[Rum Runner]

Its a tricky one the coating changed over time from Silver /grey to Grey/ white on the later cars . But the later coating is not good in many ways more like paint and flakes off more . But the older coating is stronger but then retains more water behind chipped paint and blisters more then flakes .

[The Griffalo]

At least paint means they are being maintained.... You'll never find an unmolested one as the outriggers sit directly in the wheeltrack and get shotblasted.

The best test is to tap them with a screwdriver and listen to the sound. Solid metal will "ring" whereas rust won't. Even if it's been painted over you can still tell by the sound if they're solid or not.

[Rum Runner]

I always take photos along the way to show how the metal was before and after preparing and what went on as a coating . If you do it properly it takes 100's of hours , especially if with dremel/ scrappers . Both of mine went into the garage same week they landed . I did the firs t one in 3 weeks solid all day from dawn until 12 at night . The latest took from start of May - end of July but had to do it when I could . Best is always body of etc .