Car underbody rusting/bent sills

[Can'tWeld]

Hi all. Have a few questions.

Noticed on my new car today that the jacking points on the sills are bent (looks like careless use of a trolley jack) - can they just be bent back into shape? Will it be an MOT fail if I leave them as they are?

Also, the bottom of the car in general has fairly bad surface rust. Was thinking take it back with a wire brush, hammerite and then underseal. Anyone done this before? How difficult is it?

This car has failed MOTs on rust before (it has been welded in the past, around the suspension mountings) so I want to try to stop it rusting any more.


There is also a patch on the front right wing directly under where it joins to the sill, that has rusted right through, I have put gaffer tape on it for now but I guess that will need fixing at some point

Get the feeling I might have to buy a MIG before my next MOT comes around

Cheers.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'm not keen on paint-type coverings for established rust - too much risk of a skin trapping water and making it even worse.

I like liquids that soak in, such as thinned-down wax or even thinned used gear-oil. Don't use old engine oil, it's carcinogenic and acidic.

Renew just before winter and wash-off & re-apply after the salt has gone.

 

[michael1703]

bent sills will be caused by being put on a two post ramp in a workshop

 

[piman]

Hello CW,

yes they can be bent back into shape, if the metal is sound it will be fine . If it's not then the distorted area will probably break off or crack.

Alec

 

[DarrenUK]

If you have rusty metal that is still sound, wire brush it and paint with POR-15.

I did a really rusty milk churn with it about 15yrs ago. It's sat outside ever since and the paint is still there !!

Forget Hammerite, it won't last a year and doesn't cure the rust anyway.

With cars you can paint/spray over POR-15 with the paint of your choice.

 

[piman]

Hello all,

as a matter of interest, does anyone know the history of Hammerite. It no longer has the original manufacturer's name (Finnigans) and the application process has changed. I have to assume that some company bought the original one out and has changed the specification. I have used it for years but now am less than impressed by it's performance. I guess that they are now trading on the good name it once had?

Alec