Rusty tailgate

Hello all,

I am looking for some opinion on whether to replace the tailgate of my Helios Blue Campaign.

The tailgate on my campaign was replaced in 1998 and the car had a full respray in 2002. The car has not had any paintwork carried out since then and the body work is in excellent condition.

The only problem I've found is that the tailgate has rusted from the inside out (no doubt the result a leaking washer hose inside the door). This has manifested itself in a very small amount of visable corrosion under the paintwork, although it is far more apparent behind the lip at the bottom of the boot. (I am confident there has been no movement in the rust over the last 2 years).

The dilema is whether I keep the current tailgate for as long as possible and turn a blind eye to its imperfections or whether I obtain a new tailgate, have it painted and replace the existing door. Presumably the later will result in a subtle difference in colour from the rest of the car?

What would you do?

Keep an eye on the for sale section here and ebay.  Helios blue boot lids do come up once in a while.  If they've been looked after well enough, the colour difference will be minimal.

Alternatively, if you're feeling adventurous, take the bootlid off, treat the rust and respray the whole lid yourself.  You get a far better sense of satisfaction if you've done the work yourself.

But then again, if you don't think the rust has spread and you don't mind a small imperfection, leave it.  Certainly cheaper.

Danny

Yep, all depends on how you want the car to look.  If you put freshly painted panels next to old paint, unless you are very lucky it will show, of course depending on the paint finish you have on there at the mo.  As Danny says, there's nothing more satisfying than completing the job yourself!.

One other thing you could try is dropping a mail the these folk - Loading... and seeing if they have one in your colour.  They've always been good to the Essex crew!

Thanks guys,

Well I have managed to get hold of a tailgate locally for ?30.00 which has been has been rubbed down ready for paint and the lock and wiper holes filled and smoothed.

I don't think I dare try and paint it myself. (I have no tools or experience and want a good job).

Does anybody know why the lock and wiper holes have been filled and smoothed?

the euro look  :roll:

Is it easy to reverse and I should I so so before getting it repainted?

A bit of DIY is needed.  Use your existing bootlid as a guide to the size and position of the holes.  Get it done before it gets sprayed just in case you go a bit wayward with the drill!

Tis the euro look! its what im actually planning to do to my boot lid! Might leave the whiper cause it still works though! Im blind so i can use all the avalible visability out the back of the car! My locks deffo comeing out to combat the theiveing scumm in my area!

Perhaps we could swap ebo?!

Sounds nice but a mines has died 8O  was looking today and the passenger stopper has dissapeared into the bootlid leaveing a gapeing rusty hole! At the bottom left it has started to deteirote aswell Im looking now to find a new pannel one to combat the tin worm!