Rust Protection Process on 2010 GC

Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
Following a thread elsewhere on the forum, where Conaero mentioned the importance of rust protection on this generation, I thought I would share some photos with you having had a 2 day rust protection process carried out on my 2010 Grancab. This is a low 33k mileage car with FMSH, but just shows what lurks beneath the wheelarch guards and undertrays.

I used "Rustbuster" in Spalding, lincs, having been delighted with the work they carried out to my Alfa Spider last year. The process takes 2 full days, costs about £600 and involves:

  1. Cleaning the underside with Chlor-X salt remover and Traffic Film Remover,
  2. Removal of all under trays and arch guards.
  3. Conversion of rust in structural areas to prevent further corrosion and make the surface inert.
  4. Application of Wax (black or clear - your choice). They do this very neatly and accurately
  5. Application of Corrolan Active cavity wax that spreads easily into all internal areas such as doors, bonnet, sills etc.
  6. Replacing plastic guards and trays and washing the car.
They then offer an annual check and top up of any damaged areas service for £50 while u wait, so you keep on top of it once done. My car was caught well in time with just surface corrosion, but you can see how it could take hold if left untreated for a few more years. I can recommend this service entirely, and confirm I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer
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Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
forgot to say that 24 of the securing bolts for the arch liners and undertrays etc were rusted and needed replacement!
 

montravia

Member
Messages
1,619
I'm delighted that these threads have started.
I was considering having mine done over the winter at DL's as a background job having been shown what they're doing to a '98 Ferrari. However careful and scrutiny they would have been I was put off by the price.
Your £600 does seem a bargain in comparison.
I need to find one as assiduous in their attention more locally. 1 hour from Stow on the Wold (as my closest 'major ' settlement).
 

sionie1

Member
Messages
1,310
I took mine to Mario last week for waxoyl treatment. He reported no issues on mine , 2014, but his lads said they’d started to see a few coming in now needing work or replacement subframes.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
Looks like the OP’s GC was caught just in time.
Surely with an annual service the subframes would be checked and treated if necessary, I find it amazing how the subframes get to the state of being beyond repair but the car has an amazing full service history!
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
That really looked a bit crusty pre-treatment!
I don't think the factory did any anti rust treatment!
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Looks like the OP’s GC was caught just in time.
Surely with an annual service the subframes would be checked and treated if necessary, I find it amazing how the subframes get to the state of being beyond repair but the car has an amazing full service history!

You'll be surprised how quickly it takes hold. Mine was inspected by Aldous & Harvey @ AV at the end of 2017 as my warranty was coming to and end, and it all looked good. I was under the lift too, and was happy with what I saw. But in November 2018 after only a further 4-5k miles, and no salted road driving, it was a mess and caught just in time. AV did a great job of cleaning it all up and protecting it and hopefully it will not reoccur. But if it does, we shall repeat it again.
If you see the signs of the corrosion starting, act immediately before it's too late
 

Wagons-Lits

Member
Messages
250
Thanks for the pictures. Just booked my QP in for early October at Rustbuster in Lincs.

Frank, thank you for the pics; I mentioned your name on booking
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Yes, these guys look like they do an excellent job and they are only 15 minutes from me - I had no idea - I'll have to drop in and take a look around
 

Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
Thanks for the pictures. Just booked my QP in for early October at Rustbuster in Lincs.

Frank, thank you for the pics; I mentioned your name on booking
Good luck and I'm sure you will be pleased with the results. I'll ask them for a commission off the next car they do for me. I have a Bentley Arnage that is due to be done next spring pre MOT and taking it off SORN
 

Wagons-Lits

Member
Messages
250
Good luck and I'm sure you will be pleased with the results. I'll ask them for a commission off the next car they do for me. I have a Bentley Arnage that is due to be done next spring pre MOT and taking it off SORN
Thank you. Heavens, id have thought your Arnage would have been the first car in there! I used to have a Turbo R and nearly every SZ Bentley I’ve seen has had some bits of the sills cut out and replaced etc ! Nothing wrong, just the nature of those cars to need keeping on top of rust wise (did things improve that much SZ —->Arnage?)
 

Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
Very low mileage < 10k as part of a large collection prior to my purchase and I just SORN'd it when I got it last year as no time to use it. It's a 2004 T so better than earlier Bentleys I think but every car would benefit from the rustproofing process I think.
 

Wagons-Lits

Member
Messages
250
Very low mileage < 10k as part of a large collection prior to my purchase and I just SORN'd it when I got it last year as no time to use it. It's a 2004 T so better than earlier Bentleys I think but every car would benefit from the rustproofing process I think.
I believe you are right, hope you get to enjoy the car a bit next year
 

Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
Was fitting new front pads and wear sensors (thanks for supply Zep) and given what I had seen of the metal plates behind the front wheel arch covers on the 2007 GT project on YouTube, thought I should check.

The chassis had been properly descaled and treated by Rustbuster as per the start of this thread, and they had taken the wheel arch covers off and refitted with stainless bolts, so so far so good.

However as they didn’t consider these plates to be part of the subframe structure, it looks as though these were left untreated as per photo. Not too bad, but corrosion started on the edges.

Ive now taken them off, descaled and painted with smooth hammerite paint so should keep the tinworm at bay for now. This is a 2010 GC with 35k miles, SORN’d from Nov to April so no salty roads. The paint the factory use is clearly not fit for purpose! 77956
 
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