Solent Area

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:19:13 GMT

Thanks tolksee, I will enquire with them for my front sills and wheel arches. Wokingham is a lot easier for me to get to than Ipsden.

In addition, I'm not entirely sure about the repair of my rear sills. It's a decent enough job, but I am beginning to see some surface rust on the edges of the metal. It just needs rubbing down, rust-converting and painting over, doesn't have to be pretty considering were it is, won't take a minute, but still, not something I would expect to have to do only a year later.

As I said, it wasn't a bad job, especially for the price, but given what happened to my window, and given what I've just said, and the geography for that matter, I think I will give Aquila a call when the time comes.

MOT this Saturday, hopefully I will get a way with the fronts! No holes, they aren't bad, but it's still playing on my mind.

Cheers, Matt.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

tolksee — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:56:27 GMT

I've just had my very rusty sills on my 2003 Mk2.5 repaired by a company called Aquila, located near Wokingham. The guy there, Ian, did an excellent job. New sills were fabricated and welded in, and then paint matched to the car. The sills now look perfect again, and the repair is invisible. Cost was £300 all-in for both sides.

I'm very happy and totally reccommend them. Ian is a great chap and a bit of a petrolhead too - he'll talk cars all day..!

Anyway here's the details of the place I used: http://www.aquilaarc.co.uk/

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:55:43 GMT

Turns out that the rear winow split when they put the roof down. I explained that the rear window zips out for this reason, so I still thought he was liable.

Anyway, he was really good about it, and paid up the full amount in cash. Will definitely use him again in the future (front sills and o/s/f wheel arch next!).

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

Pollyanna — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:57:46 GMT

This is a picture of my rusty rear sill, one of them as the other side was the same, after I cut all the rusted area out using a 6mm dia cutting tool in my electric drill and a smaller 2mm cutting tool in my Dremel tool. I just kept cutting away until I couldn't see or feel any rust and also, importantly, that the thickness of metal I would be welding a new piece in to was the thickness of the rest of the car. I used a piece of 16g clean piece of mild steel plate bent to the curve of the sill first then cut and trimmed it until it was a near perfect fit for welding. After I got someone to weld it for me I then used a grinder to grind excess weld off and one of those flat flap disc that fit a small 100mm grinder. These are brilliant for cleaning any sort of metal up by the way. Ignore the text in the picture as this was a question I asked about the small area that was cut out. I did weld a piece in here too.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:38:12 GMT

It was meant to be £180 a side, but they found a LOT of rot further up the wing and in the wheel arches etc, cost £600 in the end. I actually think that is pretty good having seen the photos.

I'm going to call autolink for a quote to replace the rear window and then see if he'll cough up for it.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

tolksee — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:18:06 GMT

Purps, how much did they charge for sorting the sills?

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:44:03 GMT

Just got my car back. Had the job done by Andy near Ipsden, pleased with the welding/painting, but.....

One of them has put a 4" gash in my back window. I called and told him about it, and he said he would ask matey boy about it tomorrow, and could I call back then. I was just coming to terms with the amount I've spent on the welding and recently getting all the springs replaced, and now this happens. Seriously, SERIOUSLY hacked off.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:56:20 GMT

Proper job, thanks for letting me know. I will start a seperate thread with some pictures at some point, I wasn't sure if getting the rusty bits cut out was a bit drastic at this stage (maybe a decent rust converter would do the job?).

Thanks again, Matt.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

madmutt — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:04:56 GMT

The repair is holding up well. The guy is called Andy of AC Cars and he is next to Chiltern Park Aerodrome near Ispden. I am going to use him again for another repair. I only have a number for him: 01491 873106. You might have to leave a message.

I hope this helps,

Simon

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

purps — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:31:47 GMT

Madmutt, would you mind letting me know the contact details of the chap you used to get your sills repaired please? Is the repair holding up well?

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

davem — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:02:43 GMT

Hi Simon.

Hope the second rust spot does not get too bad for you over the next few months.

I am a member of the MX-5 Solent Area, they always have a monthly drive at the beginning of each month and a midweek drive in the middle of the month, we have just recently been on one which finished in Old Basing, Basingstoke, but did come past Wellington Country Park during the drive.

They are good focal points to meet other MX5 owners and have a good laugh, we have been to a few and they are also good points to discuss any problems that you may have and find contacts.

I hope that you may consider joining the area, they are good fun drives. You can also keep up to date with everything on their forum on the MX5 owners website.

Dave

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

madmutt — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:33:03 GMT

Davem,

The repair went well and looks good. I was changing the discs and pads all around yesterday and noticed rust just bubbling through at the other end of the sill near the rear wheelarch, so I guess I will be going back to get that done. I will be wanting a full respray at some point, not just yet as I have been spending money getting the mechanicals sorted.

What monthly drives you talking about?

Simon

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

davem — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:25:09 GMT

Hi.

That sounds like a good price for your repair, I would also be interested to see how your car looks after the work done. Yes no problem to seeing how the cars look after their resprays. If we dont see each other at the monthly drives, we can always meet somewhere in Reading.

Dave.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

madmutt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:08:42 GMT

I am having my sills resprayed next week as well as a small area of rust dealt with below the kick plate on the passenger's side. I got a quote for around 250 for the two sills, and dealing with some rust on the passenger side boot lip. I was recommended a guy near Ipsden north west of Reading. I will let you know how he does. I may be looking at a full respray at some point so I will be interested to see your car davem especially as you are also in Reading.

Re: RUSTY SILLS ON CAR

davem — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:01:50 GMT

Hi Mike.

Thanks for the comment about the Irish Band, but when you are finally making history after 83 years. You have to do it.

We will both see you at next drive.

Dave