Keeping the rust at bay

[kingzetts]

Having just bought my first e type, thoughts turn to stopping it rusting, and I wondered what practices members use on theirs? Since I don't want to drive her only on dry days (in our current summers that can mean almost never, plus I need at least some dry days for motorcycling) I want to keep her well protected from summertime rain water.

The previous owner says he had the underneath sprayed with black Waxoyl before every winter and the sills injected.

Any experience of what works for you?

John

[Heuer]

My car was Waxoyl'd at restoration and I have done nothing since. It has covered 18,000 miles through Europe, sometimes in torrential rain, and seems to be OK. I do have a de-humidifer in the garage which helps. I doubt spraying the underside will do much - the rust starts in the 'hidden' bits and as this has been done I would not worry about it.

Rain water is not a problem, the originals rusted badly because of the salt on winter roads. Just use it rain or shine, put it away in November and bring it out after the last frosts in April.

David

[Car-Nut]

Rain water is not a problem, the originals rusted badly because of the salt on winter roads. Just use it rain or shine, put it away in November and bring it out after the last frosts in April.

David

David, you make them sound like Geraniums, cars are to be driven all year....

Clive

[Heuer]

Clive

I agree with you about driving them all year but with the amount of salt used on UK roads it makes no economic sense to do so in an E-Type with restoration costs running to ?30k for a back to good metal repaint, ?60k with everything done. You could arguably factor in ?3k/year as 'depreciation' and get the car redone after 10 to 15 years but it is a lot of hassle.

David

[Car-Nut]

David,

It was a joke, hence the " "

Clive

[Heuer]

Clive

But a valid point. I see a red S1 FHC driven in this area all year round and I saw a BRG S1 OTS, covered in snow, parked at Newark railway station earlier this year. Many owners in the US use them all year round, certainly the later S2/3 cars. Last year we did an Alpine pass in heavy snow with almost zero visibility - end of June!

Can be done and why not? For me the fun is having the roof down so I like it warm. Wonder if anyone here uses their E-Type year round?

David

[harryetype]

I drive mine in the Winter follow a mild spell and a good down poor that would have washed any salt away.

[andyp]

I'll leave my old girl at home if the council have been throwing salt around or if it's really pouring (the wipers and washers are pretty poor) but otherwise she's in use all year round.

Mind you I've not just spent ?30K on paint and bodywork.

Andy

[harryetype]

I try and leave my wife at home as well, but she starts to moan.