REPAIRS PAGE 118
TO PRESERVE A CLASSIC
We acquired our car in 1998, when values were a lot higher than they are today,
from a doctor in Derbyshire who had only done 65,000 miles in ten years. The car
was fully serviced by a Toyota dealer. From the outside the car appeared to be in very good condition with no
accident damage and only odd bits of paint that needed repairing.
Our MR2 had unfortunately stay outside as another car had to reside in the garage, and
due to the inclement weather of this country some years later our car’s
bodywork was slowly deteriorating and if we were to preserve it for future
enjoyment we needed to outlay money on restoration work.
We decided the first problem to tackle was to fit the rear wing replacement arch panel kits
as our car was now showing signs of corrosion in this area. At the same time we
had complete new front wings, steel front bumper and complete respray of the
bodywork. Our car was now in good enough condition to enter club events.
Having carried out this restoration work we then decided it would be a good idea to
have it rust treated inside and out and completely under sealed because if
internal corrosion is too severe for repair on MR2s in future years on the A and
B posts, and then the steel sills, this could cause the car to fail its MOT.
After much searching for an experienced company, we were recommended to Chassis
Clean Ltd., managed by Mr. Richard Winward of Altrincham, Cheshire (01565
830547) We booked the car in for the full treatment, and on arrival were met by
Richard who then drove it into the tailor made application bay which he had set
up some time ago as an additional business as well as farming.
The MR2 had a complete high pressure steam clean on the underside removing all the old
underseal, and to our surprise the metalwork was in reasonable condition but in
need of treatment to protect and extend its life. Some corrosion had appeared in
the area of the inner sills which were treated with special rust killer. Richard
then sprayed the complete underside as well as the wings and internal body
cavities which were pressure injected with Dinitrol 3125 protective wax. The
complete underside of the floor pan and the wings were treated with Dinitrol
4941 underseal body protection coating.
A week later we collected the MR2 and it was presented back to us in a very tidy
condition and professional finish. Money well spent as our MR2 is a driving
experience to enjoy at all ages.
ANNETTE AND JOHN ALLERTON