Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Yakka]

Hi Guys..this is Ian from Malta, my first post here ..
1) Ive just got a spitfire mk2 for a major restoration and have got a couple of questions..the chassis needs to be stripped down to bare metal..but how would i access the inside of the chassis...The outer side is full of rust and i suspect the same goes for the inside. 2) Would make sense if the chassis will be treated in dip hot galvanising?
3) regarding pitted chrome, a i paint a bit of engine oil, would that stop rust from attacking, same goes for the body?..I know, may be this is not the best solution but I cant afford to change everything.

Thanks so much guys anyhelp would be appreciated..

all the best guys..
ian

[MikeEdwards]

Hi Ian,

For the chassis, I guess it depends on what is accessible. If you want to be sure all the rust is killed I think the only way is to acid-dip it, but it's quite expensive and might work out cheaper to get a new chassis if they are available (not sure on Spitfire, I know some are and some are not).

Failing that, you could open up some of the box sections by cutting out a reasonably sized plate from an appropriate location, treat the rust inside using the new access, then weld the plate (or a replacement) back in place. If you have rusty sections of chassis that will need plating anyway, this might work itself out. If you go over the outside of the chassis with something like a twisted-wire brush in an angle grinder, you'll soon find which bits are too thin as they will become holes.

I am not sure about galvanising - maybe there is a chance of distortion if it isn't done properly?

I'd avoid engine oil - it's not good for you or the environment, if you just want to temporarily stop pieces rusting there are better solutions that don't have to cost too much.

[Yakka]

Thanks so much Mike that was big help ,,May be this is a stupid question..but what are the other alternatives to engine oil tp prevent rust from continue to attacking?..for the time being i do not intend to clean it to expose healthy metal..,,just something temporary to prevent further damage on chrome and body. Thanks so much again..ian

[bob2]

Hi Yakka I am from Malta too
You might try brushing some phosphoric acid on or else some of the rust converters on the market like trustan or kurust, or bilt hamber's hydrate 80.
It should neutralize the existing rust and prevent further corrosion in theory!
I have used all the above and found bilt hamber's to be best.
Unfortunately its not possible to buy off the shelf in Malta, I usually order it online.
Cheapest however would be to buy phosphoric acid (which is one of the main ingredients in the rust converters I mentioned earlier), however I have never bought any and have no idea where to buy some!!

Good luck with your resto.

[MikeEdwards]

Citric acid is another good cheap rust remover, also used in the home brewing hobby so might be easier to get than phosphoric. Once it's removed the rust, though, you need to protect it - as long as there's any moisture in the atmosphere it will start rusting again. For that I'd say any kind of anti-rust wax product - waxoyl and the like. Of course for chrome that won't look very nice, but other than re-chroming you can't do anything else.

[Yakka]

Thanks so much Bob and Mike...you guys have been really helpful,, much appreciated..regards everyone.