Wedge Junk in my trunk--rust in TR7 boot

[MCNX_BFF]

Should be a relatively easy job (if there is such a thing).

Well, Guys, it seems it won't be so easy. Apparently, I was not born under a lucky star. Earlier in the week as I eagerly anticipated starting on my boot project, I found rust behind the remnants of the bulkhead mat. Some of the black paint back there has flaked off and other parts are bubbled and lifted. The vast majority of the paint, however, appears to be well adhered. In the morning I will be removing the paint and as much of the corrosion as possible--it is my greatest desire to get rid of ALL of it! Hopefully, the rust is fairly superficial and not widespread under the cover of the paint. Assuming the rust isn't severe, what process and products do you recommend? Any and all ideas/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks bunches! --Monica

 

[tdskip]

Any pictures Monica?

#1) Step #1 is to really go after the area with a wire brush and make sure you uncover all the rust, often times it extends beyond the immediate bubbling. Sorry to say there can be kind of an iceberg thing going on.... so you really want to go after it to make sure you know what you are dealing with. Believe me it is better to deal with this once.

#2) Will be debate on this. Some like to cut back to solid metal and weld new metal in. Others will try patching in place (putting new metal over gap). Some will fiberglass in repairs.

#3) Some sort of rust specialized paint like POR15 or Eastwood Rust Encapsulator.

 

[DNK]

Tom, It sounded like there was only bubbling going on and the mwtel might still be sound enough.

If that is the case refer to #3

 

[tdskip]

Hi Don - agree and hope that is the case. Just trying to make sure whatever is there is nipped and fixed once and for all.

 

[DNK]

Let's keep the nippin to a min and hope for the best

 

[MCNX_BFF]

'fraid not, Guys...
The picture is obviously before going to town with the air powered wire brush.

The Bulkhead area turned out well. The Tire well is a problem. Although it cleaned up pretty well, there were 2 large areas that were very resistant (to the left of the left plug and above it). I brought out a screwdriver, gave it a sturdy poke and went all the way through! The hole I poked through is about the size of a dime. I am sure if I kept at it, it probably would have grown in diameter. At that point, it was basically "game over" for me. Additionally, the PO seems to have done a LARGE fiberglass patch up job right in the center of the well. God only knows what is under there... so I am thinking it's time to relinquish this job to a professional to cut and weld. I'm okay with that. Disappointed that I wasn't able to complete this project myself, but hey, so long as it gets done right, it's fine. Just wish I had figured out the corrosion went all the way through <span style="font-weight: bold">earlier</span> instead of hours after I started-ugh!! Thank you for your PM's, time,humor, and knowledge--Monica

 

[tdskip]

Monica - the center section may actually be factory sound deadening. I missed that when I was looking at the pictures last night.

Those other areas are going to need to be addressed, as I wrote in my PM you need to hit this head on and get these section back to clean/strong metal. I'd start working the local club for recommendation on a shop or individual that is good with these sorts of repairs. I bet there are 5-10 shops in an easy dive of you that are experienced working on these sort of repairs. The LA Triumph club can probably hook you up, if not I can shake some contacts to help.

The rust will spread from here and really cause a problem if it isn't dealt with effectively now. <span style="font-weight: bold">Much</span> better to find this now and resolve it, you have a great car there that that deserves to have this fixed properly!

Chin up Monica!

 

[DNK]

Stick a screwdriver in it and find out. Your gonna have to know sooner or latter.

 

[MCNX_BFF]

Don and Tom,
Yes, Don, you are right! Came home from work, grabbed that screwdriver and let that tire well have it. Reminiscent
of the shower scene in <span style="text-decoration: underline">Psycho</span>. It got worse, lots worse. Hole is at least 5 inches in diameter. I have enlisted the help of a welder friend and his buddy. They will work; I will supervise and provide food and beer--after they are done, of course. I'll be in Portland/Vancouver this weekend, but next weekend....Monica/Friends vs. the boot. I'll let you know who the victor is. Who knows, I may get to wear a welder's mask after all!--Monica

 

[tdskip]

Good to hear you are tackling this the right way and your spirits are up. Go Monica, go!

Make sure to take pictures.