Classic Mini Rust Repair

Restoring a classic mini can be very time consuming especially if you donnot spot the initial telltale signs or if you try to cut corners by buying inferior parts, panels etc,. this will cost you major in time.

Where do we start here ? we'll I go with the common front end rust to begin with.

All Panels are easily available from any Classic Mini Specialists ie, Mini Spares if your in the UK,

or Mini Mania in the USA.

They are very specialist parts so donnot skimp on this as you will regret the ill fitting panels.

Minis and Common Rust Detection

So If you look carefully around the windscreen Scuttle section, you can see where the rust had eaten through, this actually leads to the under gusset closing panel which is non existent here, this is an additional smaller independent panel which fits directly under the corner section as above. It looks like a curved section which has to be welded back into place directly under the corner scuttle section.

The scuttle section is available as whole one piece if needed, or you can buy the corner pre-cut windscreen corner sections, easily welded back into place.

Here you can easily spot the common effects of rust, usually leading to replacement of whole panels or quarter repair panels as above, so a new complete Front O/S Wing was welded into place here with quarter sections forming the Front panel ( in black), new A Panel , and of course if you look carefully you will see the scuttle windscreen corner section has also been repaired.

If your wondering what are the initial signs of rust, just look for general bubbling of paint work, check around the seems and alignment, you will soon notice the signs of common rust on these old Minis they usually all follow the same pattern.

A common area always the A- panel sections usually start with a small Bubbling of paint around the lower section where it is most exposed to rain and debris.

For DIY- Restoration purposes you will need to become a good welder, all rust / body panels and quarter panels will need to be precisely cut away and re-welded carefully back into place, a lot of panel fettling time and patience will be needed for the perfect future finish.