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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rust

Hi,
Sorry as this is probably a pretty daft question, but would like to have some views, if that's ok.

Had the Frogeye two years and each winter it has hibernated to garage as I have always been frightened to get it wet, or more precisely, frightened of getting rusty! Am I being foolish, if the car gets the occassional soak, will that mean rust, or if it is garaged, will it just dry off and not attract the rust bug (at least any more than before)? It hs not been waxoyled underneath. Thanks.
gREG Spalding

Thats the great thing about these cars...They never rust, you have to have them in standing water for years on end...LOL.

Sorry I couldnt resist...obviously thats not true.

I keep my baby in the garage year round, the few time it has been drenched in rain, it survived without an issue...still it would only take 15 minutes with an air chuck, but ive always thought a perfect answer would be to insulate and finish the shop and install a small ceramic plug in heater with a dehumidifier for winter time and the rainy season.

beyound that I think waxnol is something to look into

Prop
Prop

I worried about the same question after finishing the rebuild of my midget BUT I soon recovered. What, I asked myself, am I doing not driving the thing? Even if it does get wet a blast round when the roads are dry will soon dry it off again... Enjoy it
David Cox

Only thing I'd worry about is road salt - I think that can really help the rust to form. no proof, just thoughts!
Mine's garaged all year round but does occasionally get soaked (MASC Bonfire run was a very good example!) and it seems to dry off ok. just make sure you take ALL the floor carpets out to let them dry.

Enjoy it!
-Craig
C Robertson

HOW DARE YOU BRING THAT 4 LETTER WORD ONTO THIS BBS!!!??

Use it -- clean it Use it again -- if R**T develops -- fix it --- then use it again and Again AND AGAIN!!!
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

I've had my Midget for over 14 years, and while it's usually garaged, I do get it out in the rain occasionally - not to mention that it gets wet when I wash it. (Odd, that...) I usually don't take the car out if it's raining, but if I get caught in the rain, I don't sweat it.

I shot some Waxoyl in the cavities a few years ago, and barring a few rust bubbles in the bottom edge of the left rear wing (since repaired), it has remained quite sound.

One thing I never do, as mentioned above, is to take it out if there's even a hint of salt on the roads. That's just asking for expensive repairs, and I'd rather avoid that. I let the daily drivers deal with the sloppy stuff!

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks - I needed some counselling as clearly I am just neurotic. And sorry for mentioning that 4 letter word. You guys are right, I should just get on and live my life!
As far as I am aware the chassis has not been treated (at least not in recent history). Would it be a good idea to get it up on ramps/axle stands and apply some form of proofing agent on the chassis. Is it a simple case of just brushing on? Thanks
gREG Spalding

my cars all live outside (mini midget and GT)
and so doe several of my friends cars.

and with those experiances ive come to a simple conclusion

if you car is wel painted and waxoild/underseald the metal parts wil not have anny trouble with being outside for prolonged(several years) periods

if your car is doubtfull to begin with than it will speed up the deterioration proces

so if you keep it in a dry ventilated garage and DO NOT cover it up with a cover of anny kind!!!
you can safely drive it in anny weather.

if you might get it verry muddy/salty from lets say a rally ;) imediatly wash it properly
i mean stik your hands in the arches and presure wash the underside
Onno Könemann

gREG. As mentioned by Craig and Gryf salt is a no no,it's a sure way to start the old tin worm eating through your car. I don't have any qualms about running my car in the wet, lets face it we'd never get any driving done in the UK if we stayed home when it rains,and when I get home I stick in the garage and let it dry naturally. Never cover up a wet car. You can get aerosols of Waxoyl for
your cavities, ie inside the sills, centre cross member via the jacking point hole, inside the doors, (that may be a bit difficult with a frogeye having door pockets)
. I used stone chip and under seal(Body shutz) on the underside and wheel arches. I check it every year and re-do it where it needs it. I've gone through two winters and two wet summers since the restoration and so far so good.
No you're not neurotic, just concerned about your car, as we all are if we've got any sense. It's just a matter of striking a balance of being sensible without eating your liver out, and as Mick says if it needs repairing, repair it and keep on driving it. These cars are not that hard to repair. Mk2 Jags they are not.
Bernie.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 25/11/2009 and 26/11/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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