Rust proofing the underside

[LukeZS96]

I am thinking about rustproofing the underside of the ZS when the weather starts to turn around. How hard would it be without access to a ramp or pit? And what would be the best stuff to use for the job regarding re applying after time etc.

[top_man_eldo]

I am thinking about rustproofing the underside of the ZS when the weather starts to turn around. How hard would it be without access to a ramp or pit? And what would be the best stuff to use for the job regarding re applying after time etc.

Fair play to you, if I'm honest, this is the worst job I have ever done, but then again, I did go to town with it.

I removed the fuel tank, side skirts, front and rear suspension, wheel arch liners etc. I gave everything a good clean beforehand, any dodgy areas were rubbed right back and rust converted, covered with a couple of coats of red oxide primer, then undersealed with Hammerite Underbody Sealant.

All box section grommets were removed and I pumped in some Dynax S50 with a long lance - this was inside all of the sills and other box sections around the car.

But answering your question, it would be difficult to do it without a ramp. I done mine raised right up on axle stands and properly supported and it was quite difficult, a pit would have been ideal, but a garage ramp would have been better. It's a dismal job, but once it's done properly at least you know it's been done! And one last bit of advice, where some old clothes then throw them away!

[red robbo]

I used 3M Schutz. Messy, but does the job.

[peterzs]

When I had the Powerflow exhaust, got them to underseal it for £30!!

Dont know how good a job, but might be worth having a ring round.

Or this stuff http://www.dinitrol.co.uk/Products/RustPreventionWaxesandOils.aspx

[LukeZS96]

Cheers for the advice lads

[slacko]

I used Dynax UB to do mine, comes in clear or brown. The brown looks black when given two coats & doesn't set as it's wax,it's also self healing if damaged. Got a 5ltr drum for £55 from Bilthamber direct & used about half, but it's there to use again if needed. It was top rated by the classic car mags as it outlived Waxoyle by a good 3 years in tests. Wouldn't recommend doing it without a hoist as it's very messy.

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy85/slacko1/P1010469_zps73c7b1d1.jpg (http://s780.photobucket.com/user/slacko1/media/P1010469_zps73c7b1d1.jpg.html)

Brown bit is an old factory sticker, still there after all these years !!
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy85/slacko1/P1010467_zps6c3789a8.jpg (http://s780.photobucket.com/user/slacko1/media/P1010467_zps6c3789a8.jpg.html)

[peterzs]

looks like a good coverage.

:happy2::happy2::happy2:

[LukeZS96]

Daynax looks like good stuff will look out for it.

[top_man_eldo]

Here's some of mine done in April / May last year...

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/13415802194_bf2a1d695d_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13415806684_88da404270_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/13415464675_4a150bf45a_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/13415577643_3582174319_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13415477575_bb0c6ba684_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/13415844554_73a6681eaf_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/13415491725_ce418894ae_c.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/13415864744_34db39402f_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/13415626553_0706150698_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/13415882494_db6db93f64_c.jpg

[top_man_eldo]

Daynax looks like good stuff will look out for it.

The aerosols I bought came with a 2ft lance with a 360 degree nozzle on the end, so it goes everywhere!

[dave23572]

I've done this job also.
It's hard and messy work, but well worth it.

Most ZS' will be pretty rusty underneath by now, mine was!

Well worth doing if you're planning on keeping your ZS long term.

[LukeZS96]

Most ZS' will be pretty rusty underneath by now, mine was!

Well worth doing if you're planning on keeping your ZS long term.

I've had a look at mine and the only bit of rust underneath is a small bit on the bottom of the spare wheel well and that's only surface rust. I'm taking the prevention is better than cure route with it.

[p_b82]

mine was bad, so has been done as part of this year's holiday to the farm with rally_matt.... not sure what he used, but he has done the underbody - he has the ability to get it up in the air though so makes it easier!

[redzs]

Did mine with clear waxoyl when new and repeated three years later.
Only driven in summer so is keeping ok.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd92/darrenzs/Underbody.jpg

[talkingcars]

Mine was marked down on under body corrision at the MOT, looks to be the usual rear of the front wheel arches.

It also looks like the front has been replaced with a welding seam across the front floor pan!

[ZS180V6]

Do you need to treat the rust first ?

[talkingcars]

If you don't it will carry on rusting away but you wont be able to see it.

[LukeZS96]

Yeah I will be grinding back the surface rust thats already there and spraying it up with primer first. Cheers for the advice lads

[talkingcars]

Grinding is a bit harsh, I'd wire brush the loose stuff off and then use a rust convertor.

[ZS180V6]

Grinding is a bit harsh, I'd wire brush the loose stuff off and then use a rust convertor.

Me too

[GalleyZS]

Flapped disc on grinder? Or a Wire brush fitting on a drill a good call?

[talkingcars]

Depends how bad it is, I might even use a hand held wire brush.

[peterzs]

Always remember wire brushing a rusty petrol tank on my old Hillman Hunter.

Wondered why the tank started getting wet and a smell of petrol???

Quick trip down to a breakers and a new s/h tank later!!!!!

:whistle::whistle::whistle:

[GalleyZS]

Talking of fuel tanks, I had a w-reg 25 and the fuel tank was spotless and you could see the thick under seal, on the mk2 05-reg 25 I had there was virtually no under seal on the tank and surface rust just like my 54-reg ZS.
I have wondered how much it would cost to get plastic fuel tanks made for the ZS as in the future I'm sure tanks will be a common failing point.

Currently I plan to apply some extensive underside protection once it gets a bit warmer and dryer out and I can put the money aside for it (I presume it's expensive).

[peterzs]

There have been a few reports on ZS tanks rusting out, usually on top of the tank.

I went to Powerflow for a stainless straight through exhaust.

While it was up in the air I had a look around and was horrified at the amount of surface rust.

Asked them to underseal it and they charged £30 odd.

:yikes::yikes::yikes:

[mattyprice4004]

I'm attacking my ZS with some Dinitrol this summer - it's not too clean underneath, but all surface rust by the look of it. :)

[slacko]

Have yet to do the inner sills, hoping to get them done this year with Dynax S50.