Bongo Fury

What's the score with wax oiling? My Freda had been in the country for two years when I bought it. I doubt if it has been wax oiled. Should I get it done? If so, do you know somewhere in Gloucestershire you might recommend?

When I purchased my bongo, the dealer showed me one that had been in the UK for a few years without being waxoiled. There was obvious rust underneath. I chose to have mine waxoiled. One issue is that it needs to be clean as a whistle underneath prior to application of waxoil. So if you plan to get yours waxoiled, figure steam-cleaning into the cost. My dad had a Hillman Hunter waxoiled (I believe the process was called Zeibart, which may be different). The Hillman wasn't rotten when I spotted it 15 years later.

Mack wrote:What's the score with wax oiling? My Freda had been in the country for two years when I bought it. I doubt if it has been wax oiled. Should I get it done? If so, do you know somewhere in Gloucestershire you might recommend?

Hi Mack

Tim Davis, he and his dad run a small garage in Blakeney (New Road Garage) will wax oil your Bongo 4 u, and for a very good price, Im getting them to do mine, although Iam buying my own wax oil from Maccess in Bristol.If you wish their number let me know.

Si

Mack wrote:What's the score with wax oiling? My Freda had been in the country for two years when I bought it. I doubt if it has been wax oiled. Should I get it done? If so, do you know somewhere in Gloucestershire you might recommend?

Mine had been in UK 2 years and not waxoiled, living in Suffolk where I don't think it had too hard a time. It had v light even rust on the underside. I'd been advised that waxoyl passivates light rust and so reckoned if anything the light rust would privde a good key. I also wanted to get a quality / thorough job done so was pleased it hadn't had a rush waxoyl done on import. I went for a £400 Dinitrol job where they thoroughly clean and dry it prior to application. It looks great now. The only area of very slight concern is a bit of minor rust seating by the nearside wheel arch - I think road water manages to ingress a little there. Lots of people have reported this area as especially prone. But it is v minor from all I can see and my old Nissan Sunny had this for years without any serious progression.

So, in conclusion, if an inspection underneath reveals only light rust, I'd say OK and just get it thoroughly undersealed. Its hard to expect perfection on an old vehicle. You can only do your best.

You can always do it yourself if you don't mind the mess, and having to clean off the overspray from the bodywork.
I have done two campers in the past, one a 76 VW which I spotted the other day in Dundee still on the road.
Up here we have salt on the roads almost six months of the year so I am a firm believer in waxoiling, and repeating the process every couple of years.
You will need access to a ramp after steam cleaning the underside, some steam cleaners will let you use theirs if health and safety hasn't forbid them.
The main tips are;
Buy a good garden spray unit with a lance.
Thin the waxoil 75/25 with white spirit.
Warm up the whole lot before starting to reduce viscosity and avoid clogging the spray nozzle, keep it warm.
Mask off the areas you don't want it with newspaper and masking tape.
Wear clothes you are going to throw out, including footwear.
Wear old coveralls, rubber gloves, and definitely cover your hair.
Don't do it on a windy day.
Pick your location carefully, or you will have a permanently waxoiled drive and trail it through everything.
Stay out of the Bongo!
Finally wear a particle mask and goggles, this is a must.
After all that you are still going to end up looking like Al Jolson, so I hope you are now well put off, it is a horrible job. It's your choice.

California Here I Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awbGc8XPFJ8

Ulrich, you mention using a garden spray unit, you mean one of the 5 litre pressurized things you pump up?
I was wondering if that would work effectively after doing mine last year with the trigger spray supplied & getting serious cramp , I asked the question on here, but didn't get any favourable responses, but was going to give it a go anyway next time. Be good to know if someone has used one succesfully

Yes, it was the 5 litre pump up from Lidl. Suffered the same problem, but you need the control otherwise everything gets the waxoil that does'nt need it, including the cat. Plus you need to be constantly on/off to keep the nozzle clear. Mind you don't buy anything expensive as you will not be able to use it for anything else. Clean the mechanism and trigger spring with white spirit when finished and keep it for next time.

I got a couple in Wilkinson last year in the sale for about £2.50 each, the lidl oil extraction pump fits in the top as well, so one of them will be getting oily anyway, so I can use it for doing the next lot of waxoil, cheers for that Ulrich

Sorry Kirsty,

I misunderstood. It would appear that you were probably using that useless piece of kit you stick in the waxoil tin and pump like mad with two fingers until they are dropping off, foget it. Use the garden spray and keep it in a container of hot water while working. Keep the pressure up though as it will drop pretty quickly once you start work.

I almost forgot, white spirit and an abundance of paper towels to hand is also useful.