Rust spots...
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: New York
Today when I was cleaning my MINI, I had the boot open and noticed very small rust specks just above the boot, in that little nook under the spoiler. Water must have leaked in there and stayed there. Now, my question is...these are just the size of pencil heads. Is it possible to use some sandpaper to get them off without having to repaint? Is there some sort of product I can use to treat this? I dont want this to escalate into a larger problem. Thanks in advance.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: New Jersey
Isn't there some kind of rust protection warranty on MINI's? I would assume there is (there was on my BMW). The dealer should be responsible for fixing that.
If it's rusted, I don't see how you could repair it without repainting. If you sand the rust away you'll be down to bare metal.
If it's rusted, I don't see how you could repair it without repainting. If you sand the rust away you'll be down to bare metal.
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>>Today when I was cleaning my MINI, I had the boot open and noticed very small rust specks just above the boot, in that little nook under the spoiler. Water must have leaked in there and stayed there. Now, my question is...these are just the size of pencil heads. Is it possible to use some sandpaper to get them off without having to repaint? Is there some sort of product I can use to treat this? I dont want this to escalate into a larger problem. Thanks in advance.
Don't panic, your car is not rusting away
The problem is that your clearcoat has embedded contaminants and these appear in the form of very small "Rust" spots. These embedded contaminats (Acid rain, industrial fallout, tree sap, etc, etc) can not be removed by washing or waxing alone.
You need to purchase a CLAY BAR which you can buy at any Pepboys or other auto parts store for $15 bucks. A Clay Bar is essentially "Play Doh" specially treated to remove those nasty looking embedded contaminats in the clearcoat, restoring the finish andmaking it incredibly smooth to the touch (Like glass).
Just wash your car with dishwashing soap, then apply the clay bar and lubricant solution to affected areas of your car (You can do all the car at once, be careful not to drop the clay bar onto the ground otherwise it becomes useless and you need to get a new one) and then wax and polish your car with your favorite products. Presto! Showroom fresh finish and no rust spots.
This should be done every 3 to 6 months or whenever you are going to wax your car.
Goodluck!
Don't panic, your car is not rusting away
The problem is that your clearcoat has embedded contaminants and these appear in the form of very small "Rust" spots. These embedded contaminats (Acid rain, industrial fallout, tree sap, etc, etc) can not be removed by washing or waxing alone.
You need to purchase a CLAY BAR which you can buy at any Pepboys or other auto parts store for $15 bucks. A Clay Bar is essentially "Play Doh" specially treated to remove those nasty looking embedded contaminats in the clearcoat, restoring the finish andmaking it incredibly smooth to the touch (Like glass).
Just wash your car with dishwashing soap, then apply the clay bar and lubricant solution to affected areas of your car (You can do all the car at once, be careful not to drop the clay bar onto the ground otherwise it becomes useless and you need to get a new one) and then wax and polish your car with your favorite products. Presto! Showroom fresh finish and no rust spots.
This should be done every 3 to 6 months or whenever you are going to wax your car.
Goodluck!
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Here is the product that you need.....
http://www.clay-magic.com/
I have used both Clay Magic and Mother's Clay Bar with excellent results. Zaino, Meguiar's etc also offer Clay Bars. This product is essentially the same regardless of brand.
A MINI owner should never be without a good Clay Bar to maintain that beautiful glass like finish!
http://www.clay-magic.com/
I have used both Clay Magic and Mother's Clay Bar with excellent results. Zaino, Meguiar's etc also offer Clay Bars. This product is essentially the same regardless of brand.
A MINI owner should never be without a good Clay Bar to maintain that beautiful glass like finish!
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: New York
Thanks again, I will try the clay bar, but this is rust I think. Its in the part above the boot that you can only see when the car is open, and there is no clear coat applied to that part. Much like the painted spots in the engine bay.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Cooper City, Fl
Aren't you the same guy who said
ANTS THREAD
So if this is a fact why the heck do you care???
>>Today when I was cleaning my MINI, I had the boot open and noticed very small rust specks just above the boot, in that little nook under the spoiler. Water must have leaked in there and stayed there. Now, my question is...these are just the size of pencil heads. Is it possible to use some sandpaper to get them off without having to repaint? Is there some sort of product I can use to treat this? I dont want this to escalate into a larger problem. Thanks in advance.
_________________
Funny you mention that Dave. I know what you mean. I too have finally decided to sell my MINI. Just too many problems. I know that I will get flamed by people saying nothing can possibly be wrong with the MINI, but my car just spends more time in the shop then on the road. My list of problems has been...
Broken battery and airbox cover
Speaker rattles
Latch rattles
Sunroof squeak
Bad transmission
Bad wiring harness
Window motor broke
Car pulls to one side despite two wheel balances and two alignments
Bad radio head unit
Basically Im just fed up. I love the car and the way it looks...but there is only so much one can take. I am considering the Nissan Z and will sell the car as soon as I move. The closest dealership is going to be an hour away from me, and thats just too far for this amount of problems. I am WORK at the dealer now and its a pain in the ***...so with that distance I can only imagine. I also can no longer sell these cars in good faith when I am having this many issues with mine. It was fun while it lasted.
Broken battery and airbox cover
Speaker rattles
Latch rattles
Sunroof squeak
Bad transmission
Bad wiring harness
Window motor broke
Car pulls to one side despite two wheel balances and two alignments
Bad radio head unit
Basically Im just fed up. I love the car and the way it looks...but there is only so much one can take. I am considering the Nissan Z and will sell the car as soon as I move. The closest dealership is going to be an hour away from me, and thats just too far for this amount of problems. I am WORK at the dealer now and its a pain in the ***...so with that distance I can only imagine. I also can no longer sell these cars in good faith when I am having this many issues with mine. It was fun while it lasted.
So if this is a fact why the heck do you care???
>>Today when I was cleaning my MINI, I had the boot open and noticed very small rust specks just above the boot, in that little nook under the spoiler. Water must have leaked in there and stayed there. Now, my question is...these are just the size of pencil heads. Is it possible to use some sandpaper to get them off without having to repaint? Is there some sort of product I can use to treat this? I dont want this to escalate into a larger problem. Thanks in advance.
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6th Gear
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From: New York
If I want your opinion Ill ask you.Trending Topics
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Mililani, Hawaii
Ants,
Thanks for reporting this problem.
The other place I have seen rust very commonly is in many of the nuts(also metal muffler straps) on the frame under our MINIs. Whenever we tech our MINIs before going to driving school on the track we have mechanics look from below with our cars on a lift. Even with as little as two or three months of use-there are loads of rusting nuts that would benefit from some undercoating. The mechanics say that over time (even a few years while under warranty) this rust will make it tougher to try to remove the nuts if needed.
Thanks for reporting this problem.
The other place I have seen rust very commonly is in many of the nuts(also metal muffler straps) on the frame under our MINIs. Whenever we tech our MINIs before going to driving school on the track we have mechanics look from below with our cars on a lift. Even with as little as two or three months of use-there are loads of rusting nuts that would benefit from some undercoating. The mechanics say that over time (even a few years while under warranty) this rust will make it tougher to try to remove the nuts if needed.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 811
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From: Chicago
OT- This site is addictive, I have it on my IE shortcut bar :smile:
Coopers4Us, when you mention washing your car with dishwashing
soap- for a very small spot- this might be ok (strips the wax &
is hard on clearcoat). For the entire car, tho, this is very hard
on the finish. A carwashing detergent, like
Zymol car-wash formula, mothers, or even zip-wax (not a huge
fan of, but it works) should be used. Also be sure to dry it
so their isn't any soap residuals on it- the California aqua blades
do a great job...
but your so right on about the Clay Bar- good stuff. I've had
many detail shops give the thumbs up about it.
My $.02,
-Matt
Coopers4Us, when you mention washing your car with dishwashing
soap- for a very small spot- this might be ok (strips the wax &
is hard on clearcoat). For the entire car, tho, this is very hard
on the finish. A carwashing detergent, like
Zymol car-wash formula, mothers, or even zip-wax (not a huge
fan of, but it works) should be used. Also be sure to dry it
so their isn't any soap residuals on it- the California aqua blades
do a great job...
but your so right on about the Clay Bar- good stuff. I've had
many detail shops give the thumbs up about it.
My $.02,
-Matt
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