De Lorean EuroTec

At last I have taken the coil springs out at the front and the LCA's are out. Ready for SPAX and new LCA's.

I wanted to attack some of the rust elements below the LCA as it is a weather prone area and nigh impossible to get to when they are fitted. The problem is inside the box section as shown in the pics is also peeling and I can see the rust.

I did think it would just be the outside edge. So I have purchased POR15 along with the degreaser and pre-paint etching solution. But keeping in mind access and lack of and the fact these are water based and need washing off I cant see me getting much progress on the inner box section.

Can I seek some advice ? I was thinking just get as much of the loose stuff off then get some waxoil in there. I know its a marmite product but its going to stop rust worsening.

https://imgur.com/1Kz2nIY

https://imgur.com/7XWrf8L

I managed to work on those tunnels to derust, and paint with four layers of paint using a combination of squeezing a hand in there, and/or using a paint brush on the end of a stick with gaffer tape to hold them together. Horrible job. Was at it for about a week each side. Best of luck.

Thanks Rissy, That's a good shout I will not rush to get the LCA's and wheels back on and take my time with it I guess....not much point in rushing to take a leisurely sit in the drive with her with the way things are.

My biggest worry was needing to wash off the de-rust and de-greaser which would inevitably put water into the box section twice, but I guess that's happening in the rain anyway and I can heat gun it off.

I recently used an Eastwood product to do some rust converting/stopping/preventing on my roof box. It comes with a flexible 2 ft hose to enable you to reach hard to get places. Perhaps something like that could help reach those awkward places on the frame?

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-inter ... rosol.html

Initially I didn't think it was too bad .





But then I made it through, it looks rusted through to the other side at the bottom.

How bad is this ? I have always expected major chassis repair would be needed eventually but hadn't hoped so soon.

Class as minor corrosion lash it with paint and primer and worry about it in a few years ?

or

Admit defeat bit the bullet with a full body off resto ?

That don’t look great does it! You could have it done & back together before lockdown has ended, perfect time to do it

What kind of condition is the rest of your chassis in Eric?

Quite honestly, I always worried about the front the rear I always thought needed definite TLC but wasn't too bad. But my Delorean is like my todger, I am proud to say I have only ever seen one so happy for some advice.

I have read MEC's frame off resto and I think mine has probably had the same kind of plate welded to what I think would be the front frame extension. It may be I only need that, and a bit of TLC on the rest. Annoyingly I have it 1/2 on ramps at the back (up) and on Axle stands at the front so I cant get a clean pic of the front.

I can tell the PO or whomever he took it to clearly never heard of using a pad when jacking it up.

As you can see its always had a tear in the front extension, assume he ran onto something at some point. It was a good price so I did expect something like this... Question is the frame directly above the LCA part of the front frame extension or cross member ?



But inside didnt look too bad.



Below steering column


Rear




Inside the box rear.



Earth Strap rear



Misc




Annoyingly due to the way its parked on ramps I cant do a chassis off now without putting LCA's back on and re-attaching the wheels/shocks/springs. So some of me is thinking strip it back as much as I can paint it up in the accessible areas.

This one inside the front box in particular


Then hopefully get sorted for Ireland next year whilst planning the whole frame off shebang….for winter by the time I have saved up .

Thanks MEC and Alex D, I am going in

No point polishing a turd and putting new LCA's on it and having to re-do later so after a miserable Sunday debating it I chatted with Alex in the evening and I will be cracking on the separation.

Awesome ! I look forward to seeing a thread on this, as you say its better to have a solid chassis to build from rather than bolting nice bits on rust, that was my thinking too, i had a set of spax sitting in my garage for about 8 years cause i didnt wana bolt em on a rusty chassis