Is this rust?

[RobWarren]

My car is away having a new interior fitted (a job I couldn't bear to do myself with the Australian Summer so close as it would have taken ages) and the bloke doing it is sending me fabulous pictures of each stage.

Noticed some dirt and muck on the trunk panel behind the rear axle - do you guys think it looks like rust?

If so, what's the procedure....? Actually don't worry I'll troll the forums for the knowledge - just want to know if you guys think it is rust so I can sleep at night....or otherwise.

Bob

 

[AUSMHLY]

Hello Bob,

If it is rust, it should be cleaned well and painted. Others will chime in with what products to use.

Beautiful interior. Have you installed both the metal and wood spacer's under the seat rail tracks? Maybe you have done so? From your photo, it looks like the sliding rail will not pass over the rug.

Maybe your interior guy talked to you about binding the carpet. Originally, the carpet edges were not bound. There were only two edges bound on the carpet set. Both on the transmission tunnel. One on the edge of the carpet near the emergency brake, correct as in your photo. The other was around the three sides of the flap where you check the transmission fluid. Some people prefer to have the edges bound. If restoring concours, non bound.

Beautiful interior. Please post a photo of the completion.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[bob hughes]

Yup

Sure looks like it to me, but no more than could be expected.

If its only surface rust, I would suggest degreasing then a mechanical wire brush, a dollop of your best rust killing agent - Janolite for instance, then two coats of your favorite primer that must be rust tolerant, the old Finnigans number one used to be good and again Janolite also do one, and finish with several coats of your top colour. If the rust is really bad then panels should be repaired / replaced - not so good considering the interior has just been nicely finished.

Best of luck

Bob

 

[RobWarren]

Thanks boys.

I'll have a good hard look at it when she gets home and give it a good clean. I suspect that it's just surface rust and hope so too.

As for the carpets - I'm not restoring to concours - that colour was never available with the Colorado Red Healeys - I selected them myself as the black is just too hot for Sydney summers and I don't liek the idea of an a/c unit!

Will post pics once completed.

Bob

 

[RobWarren]

Gents - as requested, the pics I've been sent of the finshed interior.

The colours are a bit different given the amount of natural light and the fluoro lights as well - I think the first pic is the most accurate in terms of colour.

 

[healeynut]

Where did you get your interior from? Looks nice. I am looking at doing my BJ8 right now...

 

[healeynut]

By the way - one tip -

You should never set your convertible top down like that without folding it in the gap properly. If it is folded down like this without being careful, the top can catch on the rear side/kick panel "L" bracket and rip a hole in your top. Don't ask how I know this!

 

[healeynut]

sorry for being nit picky here - the area around the rear seats should be vinyl/leather, not carpet. That's how it was done at the factory and is easier to clean in the tight spaces anyway. Carpet here will get dirty and is impossible to clean...

 

[RobWarren]

I had them done in Sydney by Mark Wood at Classic Car Interiors. Let me know if you want his details.

I know about the carpet in the back. I doubt it'll get dirty as nobody ever travels in the back - thus the seatbelt position.

Good call on the top, I hadn't noticed - will call him and ask him to fold it down properly!