Rusty legs...

...I've read a lot about corrosion on the rear chassis legs, in particular where they meet the lateral supports (that give rigidity to the rear body panels and bumper). Good write up here by Jackal. On the forums you'll see a fair share of horror stories when 993 owners decide to investigate, so I decided not to take any chances and tackle the problem head on, as soon as possible, hoping to get there before the oxygen and water does. The only problem is, with these cars being around 20 years old, the odds are normally against you. So, I went off to see Tyrone to strip the car and take a look...

Step 1. Strip the car

Rear wheels off. Remove rear reflector & lights, arch liners and bumper. Disconnect wiring loom to right rear light and disconnect engine lid light, to avoid a flat battery. Some of the nuts & bolts may be a bit stubborn, especially if they haven't been touched since the factory, so it's advisable to buy replacements as some may need hacking off. A light spray of WD-40 also helps to loosen them off.

Step 2. Remove the heat shields and support plates

Only some light surface rust, but nothing to worry about. Phew.

Step 3. Prevention 

A) Sand back any surface oxidation, taking it right back to the bare metal

B) Etch Prime

Etch primer is combined with acid so that it microscopically etches the surface of the substrate forming a physical and chemical bond between the two.

C) Seal

Seal with TIGERSEAL, a polyurethane sealant and adhesive that's ideal for keeping the oxygen and water out, whilst bonding the chassis leg to the support plate. Applied with fingers giving it a rough textured surface to match the finish on the inside of arch. Drying time 30 - 60 mins. Once cured over-painted with some satin black aerosol paint to blend it all in.

D) Reinstate the support plates and heat shields

I thought it best to do the job to last a life time so bought some new parts. Ty had the support plates sprayed in matt black for an additional layer of protection. And then Craig smothered them first with some spray-on Waxoyl (rustproofing for cars) and then secondly with another generous helping of Waxoyl - this time the clear gunky stuff. Layer upon layer of protection.

Step 4. Put car back together 

Rear wheels on. Reinstate rear reflector & lights, arch liners and bumper. Not forgetting to connect wiring loom to right rear light and engine lid light (which Craig says has happened, more than once, oops).

Job done. A big thanks to Craig who did the work. And a pleasure to hangout with the guys at Riviera today.

Here are the materials:

Here are the part numbers for the original Porsche parts:

993.504.116.00 GRV Support Right, £74.94
993.504.115.00 GRV Support Left, £74.94 
993.505.645.00 Heat Protection, £59.39 
993.505.646.00 Heat Protection, £59.39
999.049.025.09 Retaining Nuts, £0.56 x4 

- end - 

A sheep in wolf's clothing...

...here's another one of Greg's projects - currently undergoing metamorphosis, from a basic C2 (very much like mine) to a menacing RS replica. With RS prices now well over the quarter of a million pound mark I'm not surprised C2 owners are upgrading. That said, I'm not sure I'd want to RS mine...as I kind of like them relatively unmolested.

Not one. But two.

You never see a Singer. Let alone two. Especially when there's only two in the UK. But a little birdie told me that Gregg had both of them at his place, so I couldn't resist, I had to go and take a look for myself - and there they both were...(deep breath)...

To the Cotswolds!

Jamie and I headed out to the Cotswolds early this morning for our very first outing to Cornbury House; Porsche Club GB's Headquarters. It was their last open day of the year, which promised to attract a lot of members, so as 'freshers' we thought it best to poke our noses in and join in the festive cheer (despite the weather being wet & miserable). First stop was Martha's Coffee House in Moreton-in-Marsh to fill up our tanks - a lovely little independent with warm wholesome food and friendly staff, set in delightful stone cottage. Nice to know that the owner is 'one of us', as the 997 parked outside belongs to her! Second stop Cornbury House. As always nice to see a variety of Porsches, old and new, and to grab a quick coffee with a bunch of like-minded enthusiasts, even if everyone seemed that bit older than us - of course there's nothing wrong with that but I did think that our hoodies probably raised a few eyebrows! I was fascinated by the 1:1 wireframe rear-end of a 993, with exposed powertrain, and all those original racing posters and dealership prints that plastered the walls (I think it's about time that I treat my office with one). All in all a nice excuse to blow some dust off the Flat 6s, even if the cars came back looking like a pair of mucky pups that had spent all morning splashing in puddles. Sad to say, but I think that's probably the last outing of the year. So, here's to a bunch more in 2015! I'll drink some mulled wine to that - Cheers!