ROT!

[pandamonium]

You know when you start something and wish you hadn't?

 

For now I have just removed the rusty bits, treated the jagged edges with Kurust, and painted the panels. I had to fill the gaping hole you can see above the rear bumper, but it is a temporary repair only, until I can get someone to weld some real metal in. Or I could always learn how to weld - it may be a regular occurance with this car!

 

[Cavcraft]

Ah yes, Vauxhallwheelarchitis. Fibreglass will last for yonks though, but if the rear panel is structural the MOT man won't like it.

 

Your paintwork skillzors look brilliant chief, that o/s/r quarter looks GR8.

[FredTransit]

I daren't even tap my 123, the wheel arches are made of wheatabix and plod.....

[pandamonium]

My 'paint skillz' amount to a quick blast with primer and a can of Halfords satin black!

I'll colour match it once I get the welding done of course.

[Minimad5]

Learn to weld - It's easy !

 

Buy a TIG kit, you won't regret it

But i guess you could learn the basics on a MIG and progress.

 

Good luck and keep us updated (please)

[Peter C]

I told you that fixing the rust won't be easy! W123s rot from the inside and like most cars the scabs that are visible are just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Good luck with sorting it, let me know if you need any photos of any details.

[Pillock]

Yes, been there many times.

 

That same feeling as you look at the screwdriver in your hand, the pile of rusty flaky bits on the floor mixed in with the mud that caused it, and go "Bother".

[Station]

Yes ... yes.

 

Don't be a fairy when it comes to rust, just cut the whole lot out.

 

[Pillock]

Station you idiot, why have you put paving slabs in your car?

 

 

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

So many days spent crafting Isopon and aluminium mesh into ever larger repair patches, always thinking "why don't I learn to weld sometime?".

[Minimad5]

Peter i can't say it enough mate, really do learn how to weld.

Not only will it help with owning an old car, but you can start to make all sorts of things.

Ooh and the joy of learning something new.

 

If you ever want to borrow a welder to learn, feel free to steal mine

[FredTransit]

My 'paint skillz' amount to a quick blast with primer and a can of Halfords satin black!

I'll colour match it once I get the welding done of course.

If the shade of white (can't remember it's name) mine is anything to go by, Halfrauds are surprisingly good at matching paint. Mine's a pain colour though, not metallic. They could be pants at metallic.

 

Station you idiot, why have you put paving slabs in your car?

 

 

coz he iz he hittin it wid da stik innit

[VWPowered]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs538.snc3/30507_416592929520_806109520_4121509_3806538_n.jpg

damn dude your neighbour must be rough, defo learn to weld be great fer filling in dodgy bullet holes

[mouseflakes]

Ooh - that's a shame. Some time back I was thinking of getting a W123 estate, but at shite prices they all appear to be an expensive way to buy iron oxide.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Peter i can't say it enough mate, really do learn how to weld.

Not only will it help with owning an old car, but you can start to make all sorts of things.

Ooh and the joy of learning something new.

 

If you ever want to borrow a welder to learn, feel free to steal mine

Thanks for the offer

 

Learning to weld is on my to do list - and has been ever since I was charged £70 to weld a postage stamp sized patch onto a car for its MOT. I need a bit of space to work first!

[pandamonium]

Ooh - that's a shame. Some time back I was thinking of getting a W123 estate, but at shite prices they all appear to be an expensive way to buy iron oxide.

It's no rustier than any other 25 year old car!

I'd advise getting a 190E as a starter Merc, less robust, but prices are low at the moment.

[Cavcraft]

I'll be honest Panda I think the 190s are probably slightly more robust if anything.

Mine's 21 years old with 163,000 odd on the clock and the only rot/rust on the whole car is one wheelarch and a small patch on the floor.

[pandamonium]

Sorry - I meant mechanically.

[danthecapriman]

To be honest that doesnt look that bad, and as you say no worse than any other 25 year old unrestored car.

 

Heres the A post on my 25 year old Granada, looks awful!

 

 

Here it is in the process of being repaired.

 

 

The whole car was like this but its all finished now, and looks fine.

 

Im certainly no bodywork or welding pro, but as long as you practice welding for a while on scrap steel its not that hard.

 

My mate had an L reg 190 with 136K on it, it looked mint but was utterly rotten underneath, floors, jack points, inner wings were all holed. The sills were in a state too, but until the plastic trims were removed you couldnt see it!

[fearthecat]

That A-post on the Granada looked like it was giving birth to something ugly. Still, your repair on it makes me think even the Capri I gave up with rotten a-posts, floor, doors, wings etc would've been repairable with enough time and effort.

 

Panda, I love the two-tone paintwork. Might not be to stay and it might just be to cover up the repair, but it actually looks very neat and rather nice. Definitely gotta cut out the rust and learn to weld. It's something I've wanted to do for years but never made happen. Never going out there and doing it. I really admire the people who learn and just do it, even if the result isn't anywhere near perfect.