My rear number plate lights are in danger of falling out of their positions due to rust, 1, do I treat the area, 2, buy a rust free boot lid, 3, cut it out and install a new home made plate or what do members think I should do.
I treated my rusty boot lid today and fitted new number plate lights from @mx5parts … 2008 nc I used permatex rust treatment and paint , depends how badly corroded the metal is , the number plate lights seem to get brittle and clips break off so if metal is still ok I would get replacement lights and treat the rust …
Something to think about, it is very rusty and one of the lights is very loose, funny that my previous 5 a Mk2, also suffered from rust in this area as does my present 5 a Mk2.5.
My 2.5 is suffering the same…need to clean it up (rust proof and repaint) and get replacement light as it is loose but working.
There seems to be an issue especially in the mk3 of a poor paint finish and thickness on bonnet and boot shut areas and thin edges around light apertures in wings and boot. The boot underside area which falls outside the boot rubber seal when closed seems prone to collecting and holding salt and road film and needs to be cleaned/ waxed regularly. I would urge long term owners to not be afraid to remove number plate and side turn repeaters and treat those apertures to a coat of silicone grease. This will stop moisture lingering around the foam gaskets and starting the rust process. It will not damage seals, or stain paintwork or plastics and can be wiped off and reapplied easily.
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The area in question (boot lid) isn’t lacquered, or not as well as the top side paintwork. I did mine nearly two years ago, it’s fully protected now and with a good coat of lacquer to finish the job.
BTW mine wasn’t rusted, the soft tops boot lids are aluminium, the paint was still corroding off but easier to treat than the dreaded rusty steel.
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