Slowing down rust Inside a car sill.

[Screwdriver]

I remember the "Alfa rust" phenomena from years back. They were notorious. Rumour has it, the Italian steel industry had picked up stockpiles of scrap steels from WWII which was such poor quality, their entire output suffered during that period.

Might be nonsense but those things didn't half rust...

 

[bricol]

I remember the "Alfa rust" phenomena from years back. They were notorious. Rumour has it, the Italian steel industry had picked up stockpiles of scrap steels from WWII which was such poor quality, their entire output suffered during that period.

Might be nonsense but those things didn't half rust...

Thing is . . . find a common or garden any other make from the same era, ie not an expensive one worth saving . . .

They all rusted about as fast. Biggest thing to fuel the "italian rust" rumour was Lancia buying back series 1 Beta saloons when a rear lower engine mount rusted out . . . whereas your Mini failed it's first MOT with a failed rear subframe with no headlines . . .

Still, those of in the know got to own and drive some fantastic machinery

 

[tom2207]

Old diesel engine oil sprayed inside the section using schutz gun or whatever at 50/60 psi. It's thick so will cling on - anything diluted with trans oil will just run off through the drainage holes. Don't try to fill the sill or it runs off for ages. Drill some additional holes ( suitably paint protected) and fit rubber bungs if there are areas of the sill distant to your gun. Repeat treatment every year. It will be fine forever

diesel soaks up water and holds it there ,, the oil floats on the water and then forma a film to help stop the water drying out , both really help the corrosion along , and with the waste oil being slightly acidic and full of contaminates ,,, you have the holy trinity for rust formation .
ACF50 or the likes is the way to go.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'm just leg pulling. I love vintage Italian automobiles. FWIW I became obsessed with the old Fiat X1/9. Fabulous little thing, handled like a skateboard. Mid engine, cheap as chips, futuristic looks, fist step on the way to agarage full of Ferraris...

Yeah, well that was years ago. I was young and foolish.

 

[tom2207]

I think wax it OK if it's a clean panel but with rust already started it can't soak in a stop it ... ? That's my thinking .... ?

wax burns if you ever have to go back in ,,, acf50 wont .

 

[steveo3002]

wax burns if you ever have to go back in ,,, acf50 wont .

its a great benefit that you only need a spray down with degreaser and a jetwasher to take it all off if you ever need to work on it , vs waxes are going to be hours with solvents or a steam cleaner

 

[tom2207]

its a great benefit that you only need a spray down with degreaser and a jetwasher to take it all off if you ever need to work on it , vs waxes are going to be hours with solvents or a steam cleaner

Its grim if wax is in a sill ,, or waste oil , you spend more time fire watching than welding ,,

 

[tom2207]

I remember the "Alfa rust" phenomena from years back. They were notorious. Rumour has it, the Italian steel industry had picked up stockpiles of scrap steels from WWII which was such poor quality, their entire output suffered during that period.

Might be nonsense but those things didn't half rust...

maybe not in Italy ,,, its maybe how our roads here are treated

 

[indy4x]

I had a Lancia Beta HPE back in the mid 80s, it definitely rusted worse than most non Italian cars, the roof area around the factory metal sunroof was all filler

Boy was it fun to drive though

 

[bricol]

I'm just leg pulling. I love vintage Italian automobiles. FWIW I became obsessed with the old Fiat X1/9. Fabulous little thing, handled like a skateboard. Mid engine, cheap as chips, futuristic looks, fist step on the way to agarage full of Ferraris...

Yeah, well that was years ago. I was young and foolish.

I was a kid in 1980 when my uncle bought a new "X19" from the Fiat garage in Aylesbury.

That winter, he broke it in two around a snow plough . . discovering the two bits were different colours under the top layer of paint . . .

 

[bricol]

I had a Lancia Beta HPE back in the mid 80s, it definitely rusted worse than most non Italian cars, the roof area around the factory metal sunroof was all filler

Boy was it fun to drive though

Had several coupes, ran one HPE for ages, rebuilt a spyder, bought another HPE, although sold it before using it. Only ever had to weld the first 1300 coupe (where I learnt to weld) and the spyder.

Several decades in front in terms of handling, braking, comfort than the Triumph Dolomite Sprint I had around the same time.

If I had room, I'd have another.

Occasionally have mad thoughts of a sawn off coupe shell over a cut-down integrale floor pan . . . but I'm not daft enough to cut my integrale up!