Thread: tinworm

Haven't driven the rrc for about 3 weeks, we've had some crook weather (rain wind, lots of) and I went to clean the exterior to get the flotsam & jetsam off it.

while wiping down, i noticed the tinworm has found the front doors.

Not only on the seam sealer at the bottom edge on the inside skin fold on LH door (3 inch length, the insides were cleaned spotless, and TREATED with antirust after I purchased, I did notice the tiniest bit of surface rust in that spot at the time and treated it), but also a 10c piece sized mark on the area above the door lock striker. It seems this is a common area, but what scared me is how quickly this has occurred.
one wipe of the chamoios and there was a rust spot in otherwise very nice clean flat paint.

So, now I'm thinking this vehicle has had a quickie respray, given where I have found rust (previously) in very limited but known common areas.

It is at the point where I have to consider if it is actually worth removing the body and doing the work, or tossing it and finding something which may be more suitable.

The car has grown on me. But I also recognize the fact that nothing will survive long in this salt-encrusted environment, no matter how well you maintain or try to prevent the tinworm.

Right now, I'm looking at at least 2 doors, a cowl and upper firewall repair, a new upper tailgate (it's finally starting to thin out in the corners after several repairs and repaints.

The rear panel at the wheelarch and C pillar next to the rear sidewindow seal is also showing signs of surface rust - mostly because the paint there is almost non-existent (primer). I had sprayed tectyl in that area when I purchased it, because it looked a little suss, but now the brown stain is starting to appear (not from the tectyl).

Given that most everything was treated just after I bought it, I'm thinking that there is bound to be some other 'issues' which I have not yet discovered.

The undercarriage is sound looking, and while I have already repaired both front footwells and the bottom of the b pillars for surface rust, I'm thinking this is now a case of dump the body and find another, or offload it.

It's not nasty, but there is enough of it in the doors to make me want to replace, which will mean a respray - and I consider that a waste of money, when there are clearly issues appearing elsewhere.

If someone knows where I can get a full strip/blast/rust repair and respray for less than the cost of another used rrc, let me know

I am really not sure if it is worth it?

got a line on a pair of rust free front doors through the grapevine.

Thanks for getting the word out Mat.

upper Tailgate frame might be the next task. would be a good time to do the strut relocation mod.

cowl seam joint will get some more phos acid treatment and tectyl until I can get the engine out.
Much bigger job. may still end there....

Already contemplating a series 2 ute body on the rrc chassis as an alternative 'spend'