Kirkynut's Jimny (aka Daddy's Tractor) - The Evolution continues...

I've not been happy about the surface rust on the underneath of my Jimny for a while now. So today I sprang into action to do something about it!

Here is what it has been looking like underneath of late:

Now I take inspiration from Renard on here and Zukenutter who does frequent this forum but hails from Oz, so is on Auszookers mainly. Renard's Jimny is painted white underneath and he keeps it in tip top condition. Zukenutter has a sticker on his rear diff that is just so cool I bought one off him some time ago.

Today's work involved it looking like this:

I've been under it with a wire brush loosening off all the peeling paint, bits of surface rust and the factory underseal (yes there was some, not a lot though), which seems to have split and holds water under it.

Then once this was done I got under it with the pressure washer to blast off anything left on it and all the dust I created with the wire brushing!

I then left it out in the sun to dry fully whilst I went out to get a large and expensive tin of smooth black hammerite.

Next set of rest days I shall get to it with a paint brush and paint every inch I can. I shall also get some waxoil on the underside of the boot floor to keep it good as this is obviously a place rust likes to start.

I won't waxoil anywhere else as it is horrible stuff and gets on your clothes whenever you work on the car thereafter. A thorough Hammerite session and regular washing as I do, ought to make it last a bit longer.

Kirkynut

Good time of year to do the underside imo, I'm planning a waxoil 'top up' any day soon .....

If you haven't already, I'd advise dropping the tank out so you can get to the bits that it covers.

OllieNZ wrote: If you haven't already, I'd advise dropping the tank out so you can get to the bits that it covers.

Steady on old chap! I thought wire brushing and painting in 30'c was a bit mad of me - dropping the tank aswell! No chance!

Kirkynut

kirkynut wrote:

OllieNZ wrote: If you haven't already, I'd advise dropping the tank out so you can get to the bits that it covers.

Steady on old chap! I thought wire brushing and painting in 30'c was a bit mad of me - dropping the tank aswell! No chance!

Kirkynut

After what I've seen on mine this week it would be well worth the 15mins it would take to drop the tank out

OllieNZ wrote:

kirkynut wrote:

OllieNZ wrote: If you haven't already, I'd advise dropping the tank out so you can get to the bits that it covers.

Steady on old chap! I thought wire brushing and painting in 30'c was a bit mad of me - dropping the tank aswell! No chance!

Kirkynut

After what I've seen on mine this week it would be well worth the 15mins it would take to drop the tank out

I think 15 mins is a bit ambitious on a UK Jimny!

Kirkynut

Not really, give all 6 bolts a good soaking in a penetrating oil of your choice. Take off the filler cap undo the two bolts that hold the filler neck, slacken the 6 bolts that hold the tank, place a support under the tank, remove the bolts and lower it till you can reach the connectors and top and disconnect and remove.
I'm in the UK btw (really need to change my user name lol)

kirkynut wrote: Here is what it has been looking like underneath of late:

I've been under it with a wire brush loosening off all the peeling paint, bits of surface rust and the factory underseal (yes there was some, not a lot though), which seems to have split and holds water under it.

Then once this was done I got under it with the pressure washer to blast off anything left on it and all the dust I created with the wire brushing!

I then left it out in the sun to dry fully whilst I went out to get a large and expensive tin of smooth black hammerite.

Next set of rest days I shall get to it with a paint brush and paint every inch I can. I shall also get some waxoil on the underside of the boot floor to keep it good as this is obviously a place rust likes to start.

I won't waxoil anywhere else as it is horrible stuff and gets on your clothes whenever you work on the car thereafter. A thorough Hammerite session and regular washing as I do, ought to make it last a bit longer.

Kirkynut

Oooh, I feel for you Rob, it's a job that took me over a month on my recently acquired Junior. I have done every inch from rear to front including wings.

There was so much rust dust that I had to go in with a full breathing mask. I had to use a power drill rotory wire brush to shift it - the regular wire brush didn't do squat - oh and my other fav. tool is an old bastard file. The pointy end is great for checking for rot and the other end shifts rust like the devil.

Mind you, yours seems in somewhat better nick underneath than my Junior and even though I didn't have any rot I thought it best to apply a proprietory rust treatment before I went ahead with my favourite chipcoat/underseal.

On surfaces like floor undersides, wheel arches etc. I wouldn't use Waxoyl Rob but I would use, as I have, a chipcoat/underseal because, as much as I love Hammerite paint, from experience I don't believe that Hammerite paint will take the beating. For that I do really like the chipcoat underseal with added Waxoyl.

I pump the actual Waxoyl into cavities and chassis.

This is the bit I'm on about

I don't think you can get to it without dropping the tank. The join you can see in the photo has rusted through into the cabin on mine.

Well I did the painting today and had a look above the tank Ollie as you can get a good view of it from under the nearside with the car on axle stands. I have to say I was grateful it was relatively spotless.

I had thought hard about whether to drop the tank in all seriousness following your comments as the rear seat belt mountings are there. I am lucky and it is clear that there is no rust there having looked from under the car and inside it under the rear seats.

I am pleased to say that it is all done and it looks good under there now. I only just had enough paint to do it but did put it on nice and thick as I have found that when brushing Hammerite on you need to get lots of it on there nice and thick and not worry about runs underneath the car!

I hope to make the rear diff look a bit fancy soon but we shall see if that comes to fruition. Here's today's efforts anyway:

The view of above the fuel tank as best as a photo can show it:

I am pleased to have painted the end of the rear shafts as they look horrible in rust colour poking through the centre of the rear wheels.

There's a few other bits I'd like to brush up on but I'll have to get another tin of paint. The tow bar could do with some more and then I want to do the cage and bumpers again.

It's all fun and games!

Kirkynut

kirkynut wrote: Well I did the painting todayKirkynut

It looks really good. Well done!

Very nice should think it was very satisfying when you had finished