I'm not trying to get my mini to concourse condition but I would like the minimum amount of 'orange peel' under paint etc. So, the area around the brake and clutch cylinders appears to be a common place to rust, presumably from acidic fluid cutting through paintwork and protection. What to do with this area?



Even with my exceptional welding skills and accuracy with a Dremel I'm torn. Cut it out and just weld a flat piece in it's place or try and recreate the curves and weld that piece in. (Or does anyone have a good bit they can cut out of the pride and joy?)

Ideas?

I might have the bit in my spare shell. If you can get your hands on an oxy i would braze it up. I'll be able to get back to you when i get back from my soccer training to if i have the bit

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77 mini sunshine: the slow build continues
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=70699

yep, cut it out of another car & weld it in.. bugger of a spot though

The one on my other shell has light surface rust, i'll hit it with a wirewheel and see how bad it is

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77 mini sunshine: the slow build continues
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=70699

I might have a section on an old shell aswell. If you want I can cut it out and mail it to you. Just PM me if your keen.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

you may be able to mig up the individual holes if you get some one to hold a piece of copper behind the holes when you start mig

Then a fine finish bondy on top

I use a piece welded to a long bar as it gets very hot Leather gloves mandatory

Its a difficult place to repair good luck

Bog??

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I agree.
Do it once do it right. Bog won't last... and if you try to MIG all those holes and pits up they'll just get bigger. And the panel will distort to buggery.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

ok Bog was a bad choice of words

Good quality fine Auto finisher (not from supacheap)

Still bog and it won't last
Especially in that area

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Thanks for the replies and PMs all. Plan A is to buy a cut out piece and Plan B is to make it a good fit. Plan C is to make my own section.

I've seen the copper trick and recently cut up a candle jar for that very purpose. A panel beater friend said hit the holes with MIG but I reckon the metal is too thin.

Give the mig a go what have you got to loose

(get your panel beater mate to do it)

The grind it back, Roll prime high build 2K primer then skim fill with Auto filler, then 2K top coat

It is what a body shop would do.

The key problem fixing that area is you cannot easily hammer the panels after you weld due to its compound angles

Just had mine repaired in that area

Also make sure you clean the rust off the back of the panel before you start any repair

also drill the little pin holes out until you get clean metal before you start

True but panel beater mate can't do anything for while, he's had major surgery...twice. I'll give it a go for sh!ts and giggles but my recent welding experience is...'interesting'.

You could try a lead wipe.

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82 BJ42 just completed resto
64 850 Modified(about to start rebuild)

I'd say it's too dirty for lead wipe.
Worth trying to braze it with oxy though (my front beaver panel was worse, haha), but I'd use nickel bronze rod as it's less runny than manganese bronze.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.