Well, that's my boy's Astra annual service completed, 2 new track rod ends and all ready to go for it's summer holiday trip south. No1 son's Punto was fully serviced a couple of months ago and the Ibiza was "done" a couple of weeks ago, although I still have to tackle the plugs. Becky our Panda has also received my "attentions" so should be happy for quite some time. The Jazz needs a small service and a "rattle" on the O/S/F wheel to sort but nothing which should prove too time consuming - so, I really don't think I can invent any more reasons as to why I shouldn't get stuck into Becky's rusty rear spring pans. People have very kindly recommended several possible courses of action and after a lot of thought I've decided I'm going to undo both rear shocker lower bolts and let the axle swing down so I can remove the springs themselves for better access, then chip and wire brush as much rust away as I can before slaistering some rust convereter/passivator around and undercoating then top coating the result. Eventually I may buy one of the pattern made replacement rear axles - I notice my local factor can supply, which rather surprised me.

In the past I've used either Kurust or Jenolite but it's been a number of years since I've done any serious anti rust work so I'm just wondering if anyone would like to recommend a superior product. I'm quite tempted by what I read of a product called Fertan, but I have no experience of it.

Many thanks to anyone who would like to comment or advise.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...=2ahUKEwill_-Y-trxAhViolwKHTgdBsEQ0Qx6BAgCEAE

Have a look at this site Jock. They have some useful stuff.

The Panda Nut said:

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai...=2ahUKEwill_-Y-trxAhViolwKHTgdBsEQ0Qx6BAgCEAE

Have a look at this site Jock. They have some useful stuff.

Click to expand...

Thanks Panda Nut (always liked your "handle") I've bought stuff like chassis black from Frost in the past and it was on their site that I first saw the Fertan: https://www.frost.co.uk/fertan-rust-converter-5l/ but thanks very much for your trouble. So far you're the only person to reply, which surprises me a little - I'd have thought there were plenty of folk on here who were adept at battling rust? I've actually emailed Frost and asked what they would advise, hoping for a reply tomorrow.

Thanks again and kindest regards
Jock

I had some spray stuff off them that I did my spring pans with. I think I did rust neutraliser / converter followed by red oxide primer followed by black plastic paint then Dinitrol on one car and Hammerite on the other. I suspect the Hammerite has done a more long lasting job. If you try Fertan I would be interested in how it performs as also tempted by it.

I think the title is well chosen... We collect Panda numbers... 922 Pandas on the list and many have been given names. When I go to Manchester my mad daughter and I sometimes go for a drive round in the evening to say hello to the usual bunch of suspects. Trouble is its getting harder to find ones we haven't had before. I think a trip jup your way may be in order next summer.
I'll be the one wearing a Panda T shirt or a Keep Calm and buy a Fiat shirt. Im trying to get my other daughter to change the old Seat for a new or much newer Panda. NHS don't have Pandas on the lease car list! Cheek!!! I may appear mad but its not actually madness more a sort of super Panda obsession that's really normal actually. Rumour has it that I'm thinking of changing the name of our House to the Nuttery Cottage. I can't comment on pain of slow death from er indoors.

The Panda Nut said:

If you try Fertan I would be interested in how it performs as also tempted by it.

We collect Panda numbers... 922 Pandas on the list and many have been given names. When I go to Manchester my mad daughter and I sometimes go for a drive round in the evening to say hello to the usual bunch of suspects. Trouble is its getting harder to find ones we haven't had before. I think a trip jup your way may be in order next summer.
I'll be the one wearing a Panda T shirt or a Keep Calm and buy a Fiat shirt. Im trying to get my other daughter to change the old Seat for a new or much newer Panda. NHS don't have Pandas on the lease car list! Cheek!!! I may appear mad but its not actually madness more a sort of super Panda obsession that's really normal actually. Rumour has it that I'm thinking of changing the name of our House to the Nuttery Cottage. I can't comment on pain of slow death from er indoors.

Click to expand...

Unless I learn something unexpected about the Fertan I think I'm set on using it. My preparation plan is to wire brush and chip as much loose rust off as I can and then power wash it before starting in with the treatment. Fertan seems to fit in with this particularly well as they actually encourage cleaning down with a pressure washer, applying the product and then, after an hour or so, dampening down with water again to maximize penetration. See the instructions about half way down this page https://www.frost.co.uk/fertan-rust-converter-5l/ I really like the sound of that, it sounds very achievable. Then I'm going to give it 2 coats of this wonderful stuff:





Which I found quite by mistake at Lidl/Aldi (can't remember which) It doesn't dry to a brittle finish and seems to last well on car undercarriage components. I painted the Panda's top spring pans when I did her struts a couple of years ago and it's showing no signs of flaking or degrading at all.

I'll certainly post the outcome and any conclusions when I'm done.

Collecting Panda Numbers? Regy numbers do you mean? a bit like train spotting? do you go as "deep" as identifying model and trim package? I'm strangely attracted to that idea, I'd never thought of doing it! Believe me I understand about obsessions, I suffered very badly with Hillman Impitis. Even had to build an extension onto the garden shed to hold all the spares! One of Mrs J's standard party pieces, once a few gins have been consumed to lower the embarrassment threshold, is to tell anyone who will listen that all the houses in the street have extensions or conservatories built on the back but we have a shed with an extension! It got so bad I had to allow her a small conservatory!

You mention maybe coming up our way next summer, have you been up here before? do you know the area? If not do feel free to ask anything you think I might know about. I'll not make any silly promises about maybe meeting up, which maybe I couldn't keep, but do feel free to PM me before you come if you like.

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

Regy numbers do you mean?

Click to expand...

Its all a bit sad really. Reg number, colour, location and notes on model if we get time to identify, which is usually just separating hte 4x4 and cross models and obvious specials like the Panda Mama and Alesi. Its quite surprising how far these things get from home we see cars from Norfolk in Manchester and vice versa. We also know where they live and see who changes from one model to another. There are 8 within 1 mile of here - used to be 11- so we must be a hot spot! If we make it up we will certainly be in touch. Thankyou.

A wee update on the Fertan. I emailed Frost with a few specific questions about the Fertan and how it's best applied. They replied very quickly with exactly the info I'd requested. I have a very positive impression of this company from the brief previous contact I've had with them, this has only served to enhance it.

I was quite surprised when shortly after the Frost email dropped in I received one from Fertan themselves. They supplied me with some very interesting info regarding where it's currently being used: extensively in automotive restoration, shipping, inland waterways (narrow boats), historic restorations such as clock towers, bridges and other historic buildings. and so on. It's a well proven German product which has been around for some 40 years. They commented that treating Becky's rear spring pans would be an ideal application of the product. This looks like definitely the stuff for me! The only thing I can see which I think you'd have to look out for is that it's a water based product so whatever you're applying it to must be cleared of anything which might be water repellent. So, any oil or silicone for instance, will need to be properly cleared away before application.

They also included a link to a PDF they thought might be of interest: https://fertan.ro/downloads/FERTAN-TIPPS-GB-2020-02.pdf

Cor blimey. I'm really impressed by the Fertan people. Just got another email from them which was loaded with info about how to get the best results relative to the specific job I'm going to use it on. All showing great enthusiasm for the product without in any way trying to pressure me into buying. These people seem to really know what they are talking about! I'm starting to really work up some enthusiasm for this job now!

As this is relevant to the rust I'm soon to tackle on Becky's rear axle I thought I'd post here.

I thought, with the weather being nice and dry, that I'd check out that the rear brakes were settling in all right after their recent rebuild so I whipped the wheels and drums off for a look see. Happy to be able to report all seems to be fine, in particular that the new cylinders are pleasingly dry under their dust rubbers and the self adjusters seem to be self adjusting again!

At the same time I had a jolly good scrabble around for a look at the corrosion on the rear axle, especially the spring pans, prior to my rust eradication efforts. The main beam and arms seem to be in not too bad order but, as you people have told me, the spring pans were quite crusty and I was able to scrape some quite big lumpy bits away with my screwdriver. There's much still to do - this was really only a look see and to slaister some Plus Gas over the shocker bolts. The pans look reasonably sound with no signs of cracking around the welds or where the springs bear on the pans. However I'm just a wee bit alarmed at the big scaly bits of rust I was able to dislodge! The one on the O/S is the worst and comparing the worst rusted bits to the, very few, still painted bits, I would judge that the metal has lost possibly a third of it's thickness in the very worst places. Does anyone know what the original thickness of the metal used for the pans was? The arms going back from the pivot to the wheel and the vertical plate to which the hub bolts seem to be made of thicker metal so I don't think comparing the pans to them is valid?

I'm quite encouraged, all in all I think I have probably caught it in time but I'm not counting my chickens, or ordering the Fertan, until I've had a good chip away at all the "crusty" bits.

So if anyone knows roughly how thick the pans were when new I'd be most obliged to hear from you?

jock

i only dip in here every now and again so only just seen this thread.
I would thoroughly endorse the use of fertan, having used it myself for past 8 years. A former collegue used it on his narrow boat. It is also used by many on a Bongo owners forum.