Just picked up a 2002 Mk2.5 Sport, which seems generally structurally and mechanically sound, but has a fair bit of surface rust in the engine bay and underside. Some really rusty connecting-struts/covers/bolts etc. I see a lot of photos of old cars that have been cleaned up and look immaculate in this respect - but no idea how big a job this is or what it entails! I guess it’s a combination of cleaning some parts and replacing any really rusty connecting-struts/covers/bolts etc.?
Are there places which will do this sort of thing, and any idea what sort of costs to expect?
Fair enough, but assuming I wanted to pay for this sort of work to be done, what sort of place am I looking for - I’m not even sure what the name for this sort of work would be?
btw it’s not that I’m after a completely immaculate shiny look, just want to get it cleaned up to the point where it looks a bit tidier, and mainly, so I won’t have any problems in the future working with rusted up bolts.
Depends how far you want to go, how much time you have, and whether your '5 is a daily driver or a toy. For most of us “zealots” it’s a labour of love, which we wouldn’t want done by anyone else. What are your abilities, how far you want to go? You need to be realistic about your expectations. For example, the only way to completely sort out a rusty engine bay is to remove the engine, all ancillaries - and prep and paint the bare bay. Or would you be happy with local prepping and repainting, without taking the engine out? It’s surprising the areas you can access by removing ancillaries on the engine and around it. Sometimes, even just a good clean of all the ‘bodywork’ areas you can access under the bonnet will show a dramatic improvement.
Individual engine components and ancillary bits and pieces can all be removed and restored, repainted or replaced over a period of time, and if you do it yourself, you can do it to the standard and the pace that suits you. None of it is rocket science - I chose to strip off every single yellow-zinc-passivate nut, bolt, bracket etc, and get them all re-plated to OE standard at my local electroplating works - others wire brush and paint black. I wanted a very durable and long-lasting finish to my cam cover, so chose to get that powder coated, rather than paint it myself. Most black rubber and plastic parts really benefit from treatment with the silicone-based product of your choice.
What I’m trying to say is that, to make a worthwhile difference, this work is very time-consuming. I do it cos I’m sad like that, and enjoy it immensely. Get someone else to do it for you (always assuming you can find someone) - and it will be very expensive, and you may well end up dissatisfied. Even if you have limited DIY skills, give it a go! Take a methodical approach, don’t expect to complete it all in a weekend - and mx5oc/mazda-menders/mx5nutz websites/Google & YouTube are your friends if you want to learn how to/what product to use.
Well too late to buy car in better condition!! It was otherwise exactly the model and colour I was after though, and figured when buying it I was going to have to budget extra money or time for a bit of restoring…
Anyway, thanks for advice - am definitely up for doing what I can myself - have just been looking into the various cleaning products you can buy for rust - it’s all new to me this, so not entirely sure what I need yet. May have to ask a few more questions once I get started and can see more clearly how easy/hard this process is going to be…
As for engine bay, it’s not too bad, so for now happy just to clean around the engine. Have already ordered a few less rusty parts like the radiator brackets, tho smaller fixtures are proving harder to source - maybe I can just remove some of them and treat with rust remover and replace? Again, will probably have to pop back here to ask a few more questions once I get started.
As for rust on underside of car, suspension struts etc, I’m going to get a quote for this, as don’t have any way of getting under car - plus this seems like a bigger job.
You know, that doesn’t sound too bad… Just so I’m not expecting something unrealistic though, how thorough would/could something like the £350 option you mention be? e.g. would this include clearing up all rust on suspension arms, all under-panels, drivetrain/diff etc. - e.g. is it possible to clean it up to the point where you can stand underneath it and not see any rust at all? And are these prime/topcoat/underbody wax/stonechip treatments effective in stopping the surface rust returning?
Sorry for all the questions, just no idea what is possible and what’s not on this front!
It’s just a labour of time and love I’m afraid … you can pay to have it all done bit by bit but it’s possible to do the job yourself over a period of time , baby steps etc … The beauty of self restoration is you know exactly how much has been done and how much tlc was involved. Here is my effort …
Wow, that’s a nice clean looking Mk1! Might take me a while to get to that stage, but it’s good to know what can be achieved. I have no way of getting under the car, and am not too keen on using those driveway axle stands, but defintely intending to work on the engine bay myself, like you say, bit by bit - have bought a few replacement parts, and planning to take out various bits and de-rust - not sure the best product to use here, the hammerite stuff looks OK? I’m about to use some “rust converter” for repairing a small rust spot on the paintwork, but am I right in thinking “rust remover” is better for treating old rusty bolts and struts/clips etc?
As for year and Mk, its a 2002 mk2.5 1.8 sport - I though I’d updated my signature to state this, and I’m sure that worked for a while, but the forum seems a bit glitchy as now it’s saying mk1 again (which was my previous car) - will have another go at updating my profile…
