The dredded 'Arch Rust' has attacked....

[mic_VR 3]

Well since I'm home and bored I decided to have a good poke about the C this morning... even though it's a bit snowy outside... mainly to try and fix a running issue but I couldn't help but notice that my little bit of bubbling on the passenger side rear arch is now getting bigger on a seemingly daily basis.

 

I'll get a pic up in a bit but basically my question is, once it starts bubbling am I screwed? Will I now need extensive Corrado surgery to save it or is it usually a new arch job? The other 3 are all ok but the damn thing has got a few scrapes and scratches already which I guess I'd be best sorting at the same time.

 

I know it's a bit of a vague question but anyone who's already had it done might be able to cheer me up before I have to take it down the body shop for a no doubt terrible pre christmas quote. :(

[KipVR 1]

Best thing to do would be to have a look from inside the car by taking out the rear passengers side trims and looking at the arches from there. You'll need a small torch. Hope it's not too bad :(

[mic_VR 3]

Sorry for the rubbish phone pics but this is how it looked as of 2.15pm today.... might still be growing though! :lol:

 

 

Anyone know of a decent bodyshop in Cambridge? :?

[Timbo 0]

The only way of knowing for sure is to abrade the paint off and look for holes. This will need to happen regardless of how bad the rust is so if you're curious you may as well do it. You won't be able to tell anything from inside the car as there is another skin and the other side of the wheel well in the way.

 

Edit: Actually, I suppose you'll be able to see through the wiring holes to the outer skin etc. I would tackle it from the outside first though.

[mic_VR 3]

i'm happy to poke around with most things on the C but bodywork generally scares me :lol:

 

I've been given the name of a guy in Cambridge that might be able to sort it. Spoke to him earlier and he's going to have a look at it while I'm at work tomorrow and see what can be done. If not I might just get it sorted for now and then save so money and take it to a bodyshop in the new year.

[davidwort 0]

Sorry for the rubbish phone pics but this is how it looked as of 2.15pm today.... might still be growing though! :lol:

...Anyone know of a decent bodyshop in Cambridge? :?

 

yuck, that wing is shot, anything can be repaired of course, but for the cost a good second hand wing painted is going to be a better bet.

[mic_VR 3]

Sorry for the rubbish phone pics but this is how it looked as of 2.15pm today.... might still be growing though! :lol:

...Anyone know of a decent bodyshop in Cambridge? :?

 

yuck, that wing is shot, anything can be repaired of course, but for the cost a good second hand wing painted is going to be a better bet.

 

Thought someone might say that. Is it a case of cutting out the current arch and welding the new one in? I'm guessing that's going to be a specialist job, plus need to find a decent second hand wing.

 

This bloody car is starting to cost me a fortune...... anyone want a 24v C? :roll:

[coullstar 0]

Id get it treated now then wait till the better weather and get it donw properly. Id love another 24v.

[davidwort 0]

Thought someone might say that. Is it a case of cutting out the current arch and welding the new one in? I'm guessing that's going to be a specialist job, plus need to find a decent second hand wing.

wing is just bolted in, front bumper needs sliding out, arch liner removed and then there's some underseal inside down the joint to the leading edge of the door that needs to be trimmed from around one bolt head and cut down the line of the old wing and then it just lifts out.

I'd imagine you should be able to find someone to do a single wing properly for about 150 quid, not sure how easy your colour is to match perfectly though, shouldn't be too bad as it's not a badly fading VW colour is it?

[mic_VR 3]

Thought someone might say that. Is it a case of cutting out the current arch and welding the new one in? I'm guessing that's going to be a specialist job, plus need to find a decent second hand wing.

wing is just bolted in, front bumper needs sliding out, arch liner removed and then there's some underseal inside down the joint to the leading edge of the door that needs to be trimmed from around one bolt head and cut down the line of the old wing and then it just lifts out.

I'd imagine you should be able to find someone to do a single wing properly for about 150 quid, not sure how easy your colour is to match perfectly though, shouldn't be too bad as it's not a badly fading VW colour is it?

 

Ah.... unfortunately it's passenger side rear mate. It's had a little paint before which is pretty good match so if they can do similar I'd be happy.

 

Id get it treated now then wait till the better weather and get it donw properly. Id love another 24v.

 

All offers considered!

[davidwort 0]

Ah.... unfortunately it's passenger side rear mate. It's had a little paint before which is pretty good match so if they can do similar I'd be happy.

Oh, now I see why you talked about welding :?

that's going to be a bit of a job then, and a rear quarter re-spray, whatever you do if possible get it protected as best you can to try to slow the damage if you are using the car this winter.

[mic_VR 3]

yeah I think that's going to be the next step. I'll see what this guy says tomorrow but I'm expecting the worst now. It's my own fault, I should have sorted it in the year it was sat in the garage or at DG's but the lure of engine conversions took over...