Paradiddle
New member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2013
- Messages
- 10
Firstly, apologies if this post is on the wrong thread. The title of the post isn't about driving badly! It's about keeping my wife's 2002 1.7 Puma running with MOT looming in June. Owned since 2013 and now with 60k on the clock, (1 previous owner and I've always serviced it every 5000 miles). When purchased it was (according to the AA inspector) "as if it was brand new".
When I got it home I removed all wheel liners to coat all of the underneath used a 2-part epoxy underseal overcoated with Dinitrol, and removal of rear cabin trims and seats to epoxy coat from the inside in an effort to extend it's life. It probably slowed the inevitable rust which began emerging a couple of years ago on the rear offside arch. The rust has suddenly crept to the suspension/seat-belt anchor point so is booked in for cutting out/replacing structural sections early June to pass MOT.
I then have to decide whether the cost of restoring the rusty arch is worthwhile (likely in the region of £1200 to blend the whole rear quarter). After all, it's 21 year old car so is it worth it? Head says no but heart, she say yes. My wife absolutely loves driving it (she's a careful driver) and adores how it looks. People often enquire to her about what it is and comment that it's graceful lines are better looking than modern cars (OK, we all know that).
I'll surface again late June for an update or to commiserate.
When I got it home I removed all wheel liners to coat all of the underneath used a 2-part epoxy underseal overcoated with Dinitrol, and removal of rear cabin trims and seats to epoxy coat from the inside in an effort to extend it's life. It probably slowed the inevitable rust which began emerging a couple of years ago on the rear offside arch. The rust has suddenly crept to the suspension/seat-belt anchor point so is booked in for cutting out/replacing structural sections early June to pass MOT.
I then have to decide whether the cost of restoring the rusty arch is worthwhile (likely in the region of £1200 to blend the whole rear quarter). After all, it's 21 year old car so is it worth it? Head says no but heart, she say yes. My wife absolutely loves driving it (she's a careful driver) and adores how it looks. People often enquire to her about what it is and comment that it's graceful lines are better looking than modern cars (OK, we all know that).
I'll surface again late June for an update or to commiserate.