The Rust Directory

[Bob]

Little way off, but Discount Trucks, near Newbury?

[Ian]

They've stopped doing welding now.

[corkey]

Hello there, does anyone have any idea of the cost of getting the rusty rear wheel arches cut out, replaced and resprayed in my Bongo please ?
I am located in the South East Of England, if anyone has any details I be most grateful.
Thank you

[Bob]

Welcome aboard.

Sadly there’s too many variables for anyone on here to say what this would cost, I can only recommend asking a few body shops for quotes.

Hope that helps.

[Ian]

I'd budget for about £1,200 to £1,500.

[corkey]

Thank you Bob/Ian,

Food for thought, I'll let you know how I get on

[The Pilkingtons]

Good afternoon, Fellow Bongo Owners.

We bought our Bongo in June last year, it’s in really good condition. The owners had paperwork to say they recently had the arches done. But recently bubbles have begun to appear on the arches, some starting to rust. Is this normal, or did they get a shoddy job done? Also, there must be a way of preventing the rust? Is there anything we can do to slow the process and make it look cosmetically nicer? It’s white so the rust stands out like a sore thumb!

Thanks, Adam.

[g8dhe]

Welcome! Nothing stops rust long term It will depend on exactly how well done the original repair was done, it might have been a quick job with filler to a full cut out and replace and total re-spray style. Most of the rust comes from the fact that being Japanese vehicles they don't under seal or use galvanised steel as they don't use road salt in Japan.

Once the bubbles start appearing its a bit late as the rust is into the metal from behind, its eaten thru the metal and now the blemishes are appearing. You need to get down and dirty with a mirror and see just how it was repaired especially from behind, nut it may have been covered with waxoil to try and stop more but often without cleaning out all the old salt and moisture so it carries on corroding from behind the waxoil

[The Pilkingtons]

Hello, Geoff.

Thanks for posting a reply. I had it in at Bongo Spares for a new calliper just before Christmas and they said whoever did the under seal on it last did a great job. However, the bubbles seem to have accelerated over Christmas. Is it worth sanding the spots back and treating with white Rustoleum, or similar? It just looks unsightly. Also, if you cut the arches out and replace with galv steel would that prevent rust? Obviously, a complete beginner and just want to make sure we look after the thing.

Thanks,
Adam.

[g8dhe]

If it came through after having had the underseal applied then they may have got a good coating (which is all that is visible) but it sounds like there was moisture trapped underneath the underseal which has continued to rust away the metal from behind.
To apply a new outer coat of paint then yes you need to rub it down, but don't be surprised that when you do the hole may get bigger as it will be surrounded by rust that hasn't yet reached the back of the paint, however this is what you need to find out just how extensive the rust behind the paint is.

[The Pilkingtons]

Hello, Geoff.

There no holes at present just rusty coloured bubbles. I’ll give it a go and report back.

Thanks,
Adam.

[NLB2024]

Does anyone know of garages in the north of Scotland, Aberdeenshire based that will deal with bongos, or perhaps Dundee ?

[Ian]

Try Kinloss Garage in Forres