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Rusty’s Titanium 182 take 2!



Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
So has anyone dropped the tank without disconnecting fuel lines etc. perhaps then swinging it forward out of the way? I don’t want to be angle grinding under the car with an open tank.
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I replaced my tank bolts and moved it around sufficiently to get a torch in there. The only corrosion I could see was where that rear exhaust heat shield goes. There was a small continuation of rust on the floor pan so easy to access and treat.

It’s a filthy job isn’t it? But well worth it in the end.
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
I replaced my tank bolts and moved it around sufficiently to get a torch in there. The only corrosion I could see was where that rear exhaust heat shield goes. There was a small continuation of rust on the floor pan so easy to access and treat.

It’s a filthy job isn’t it? But well worth it in the end.
I have to replace my tank bolts as well, they are knackered. Luckily I have some stainless ones left over from last time! I am going to drop the tank I think I don’t want to be doing this again any time soon. In fact if I ever do another one, it will be on a rotisserie. Balls to crawling underneath cars with rust in my eyes
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Been ages since I did mine now, cannot recommend epoxy mastic enough, as well as a Milwaukee die grinder!
I’ve been eying up:

But I’m unsure what to overcoat it with. If anything….
 

Touring_Rob

ClioSport Club Member
I’ve been eying up:

But I’m unsure what to overcoat it with. If anything….
I personally over coated with wax, but you can primer and paint if that's your thing.
 

Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
I’ve been eying up:

But I’m unsure what to overcoat it with. If anything….
I flattened the epoxy mastic slightly with wet and dry (1500) after it dried. Then gave it some coats of Matt Black paint (Aerosol) before giving it a few coats of clear lacquer. Stuck a lance from a tin of S50 Cavity wax into all those little places you can’t get to.
 

Touring_Rob

ClioSport Club Member
I’m not fussed about a painted, immaculate finish. It’s the underside of a s**t old car. I was thinking of just good old stone chip on top of it .
Yea that works too. I think anything works tbh, if I were to do it again I would likely give Buzz weld a go, gets good reviews.

I was quite impressed with gravitex stone chip in the past but only used it because I was painting the underside. Needs a compressor to apply nicely really.
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Yea that works too. I think anything works tbh, if I were to do it again I would likely give Buzz weld a go, gets good reviews.

I was quite impressed with gravitex stone chip in the past but only used it because I was painting the underside. Needs a compressor to apply nicely really.
That’s interesting stuff, looks like it doesn’t need a primer? Do you think it would limit its rust prevention capability if I used a primer?
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
The buzzweld stuff. I was planning on treating the areas with BH electrox primer first then covering with BH epoxy mastic. Then stone chip of some sorts over the top (if it’s needed) will cavity wax the water trap areas a d crevices.
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Getting there slowly! Underside grinding is now complete! All treated, few more areas to clean up under the tank (remove old waxoil) before hitting with Bilt Hamber electrox. Pics to folloe as the grinding stage is not very exciting! so here is a pic of some of the mess…that’s one chassis rails worth of crap

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Whilst underneath I had to remove and repair the only stud that snapped during the strip down…there is a small stud that attaches what looks like an earth point and the filler neck on the fuel tank. After a bit of head scratching I drilled the broken stud and fitted a rivnut in place
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next up, exhaust mounts…so I was doing to buy a new stainless pair from ProAm. But decided I’d give the originals another shot at life. They were heavily corroded, but felt structurally good. Quick rub down before a 24hr bath and scrub in Deox C and they came up Ok, hit with Electrox, before a final coat of my old mat ‘bed liner paint’. They look very good given their starting condition and have save me from another £50 bill
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Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
Getting there slowly! Underside grinding is now complete! All treated, few more areas to clean up under the tank (remove old waxoil) before hitting with Bilt Hamber electrox. Pics to folloe as the grinding stage is not very exciting! so here is a pic of some of the mess…that’s one chassis rails worth of crap

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Whilst underneath I had to remove and repair the only stud that snapped during the strip down…there is a small stud that attaches what looks like an earth point and the filler neck on the fuel tank. After a bit of head scratching I drilled the broken stud and fitted a rivnut in place
View attachment 1586049

next up, exhaust mounts…so I was doing to buy a new stainless pair from ProAm. But decided I’d give the originals another shot at life. They were heavily corroded, but felt structurally good. Quick rub down before a 24hr bath and scrub in Deox C and they came up Ok, hit with Electrox, before a final coat of my old mat ‘bed liner paint’. They look very good given their starting condition and have save me from another £50 bill
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You have to rub the Pro-am ones down anyway and paint because of the welds on the captive nuts. So good job saving the originals. Mine were completely shot.

Scary when you look at the crap that comes out of the chassis rails 😱 But at least you can sleep at night knowing it’s solid under there.

I’ve seen so many “Mint” Clio’s driving around with nice bodywork but rotten as hell underneath.

Great work!
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
You have to rub the Pro-am ones down anyway and paint because of the welds on the captive nuts. So good job saving the originals. Mine were completely shot.

Scary when you look at the crap that comes out of the chassis rails 😱 But at least you can sleep at night knowing it’s solid under there.

I’ve seen so many “Mint” Clio’s driving around with nice bodywork but rotten as hell underneath.

Great work!
Thanks Jon, well it’ll be as solid as I can make it lying on my back in a grinding above my head. I’m pretty happy with what I’ve done and the car will never be used as a daily in my ownership. So should last a good while now. Looking forward to getting it all back together now. Not long!
 

Touring_Rob

ClioSport Club Member
Thanks Jon, well it’ll be as solid as I can make it lying on my back in a grinding above my head. I’m pretty happy with what I’ve done and the car will never be used as a daily in my ownership. So should last a good while now. Looking forward to getting it all back together now. Not long!
After spending all day grinding the underside of your car I especially enjoy the first nose blow of the evening... the one where your like "maybe I should wear a mask tomorrow".

Great work mate.
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
The Epoxy Mastic phase will be the worse bit. I was covered in it and high as a kite for a week 😂 Lovely when it dries though, you’ll be able to go underwater with it.

don’t say that Jon, for the love of god! I’m done with the shitty jobs now until next winter. Just got to get this s**t done and back together. Then I got to swap a CV boot and hopefully some new springs. Then I’m ready for the summer…oh and the big service. Which is now overdue!
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Thought I had posted this update, but turns out not…so in true tradition the heat shields were looking a little worse for wear. The back box one in particular. They are incredibly hard to source replacements so I had little choice but to try and rescue what I had. The heat shield itself was cracked in several places, the alloy has also corroded around the mount on holes.
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I cleaned the heat shield up and then rebuilt the structure with fibre glass and where needed supported with mesh to give strength.
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Job turned out ok, seems very strong, can’t see it failing any time soon. Once I was happy (ish) with the repair I coated the shield in heatproof paint. None of the repairs will be visible when fitted and as they are on the underside I no one will know..apart from the saddos who follow my build…
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i also ground the rust off the fuel tank heat guard, treated and painted. There are a couple of holes in this one, it had gone too far in places. But is still sound and again
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Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Had a bit of time this weekend to crack on! We are finally getting somewhere!

first up, rehung the fuel tank with new stainless bolts and washers, always a pain when lying on your back! I then went about fitting the heat shields I had repaired, with a new centre exhaust hanger.
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before starting to fit out my rear beam. I had a load of bolts zinc plated as well as the exhaust hanger. Until I find or get a new one made. Whiteline poly bushes fitted, I took measurements from the old Beam to ensure everything is as close as possible to the factory Alignment. I will hang it I hope tomorrow! But the wife may have something to say about that. Pretty happy
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Mr Underhill

ClioSport Club Member
Had a bit of time this weekend to crack on! We are finally getting somewhere!

first up, rehung the fuel tank with new stainless bolts and washers, always a pain when lying on your back! I then went about fitting the heat shields I had repaired, with a new centre exhaust hanger.
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before starting to fit out my rear beam. I had a load of bolts zinc plated as well as the exhaust hanger. Until I find or get a new one made. Whiteline poly bushes fitted, I took measurements from the old Beam to ensure everything is as close as possible to the factory Alignment. I will hang it I hope tomorrow! But the wife may have something to say about that. Pretty happy
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Just lovely work. Another one saved 👏
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
Just lovely work. Another one saved 👏
Absolutely! Rear end rot is going to be the single biggest killer of Clios over the next few years. I’m pretty confident that I have fixed that particular issue with this car. I am really enjoying the bolting back together process now. Its made the shitty bits worth it.
Been following your progress on IG mate. This is looking absolutely fantastic, you’ve done a great job. 👌🏼

Cheers buddy. I’m happy with it so far
 

Pegasaurus Rex

Bon Jovi Officianado
ClioSport Club Member
But behind on the updates as per usual…so will try and update over a couple of posts.

exhaust…whilst it was off the car I decided to hit it with the DA and some autosol…
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which then turned into the wire brush for more stubborn detritus. It cleaned up well.
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but wait…nothing is ever simple. The excuse mount has a fatigue crack in it. I’ve refitted now whilst I await to see what I want to do. I think really I want to fit a new system with a decent off the shelf sports CAT. However it may just have to be wielded back up hmmm
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