Couple of questions

[Gary C]

Hi

I have been told by the original owner of my 3.2, that from new it had a 'special' coating that meant the car did not need polishing. After 18 years it still looks great and has never been polished (though most of its 22K mile life has been spent in a garage)

So,

did this mystery coating actually exist ?

and how long would it last ?

Also, what and where are the kidney bowls ?,and how do you inspect them ?

Cheers

(PCGB membership is coming as a christmas present, so see you at a track next year

 

[Chris_911]

Hi Chris

Can't help with your qs on your paint sealant.

But - 'kidney bowls' refers to the area immediately in behind the B post. You can easily inspect this area either by getting the car up in the air or by removing a rear wheel and getting your head up in the wheel arch (after you have correctly supported the car of course).

If I was you I would remove the sill covers and have a good look and a clean.

 

[Big_nige]

they barely resemble a kidney shaped bowl, as Chris says, remove the wheels and get you eyes and fingers right up into the arch behind the B post, have a good fondle around hall the nooks and crannies for crunchiness. Be worth giving it a really thorough clean up there, jet wash and a good scrub remove any flakey/loose underseal and treat it with the best product you can afford, POR15 available from Frost Restorations is very good, they do various other rust products too.

Your mystery coating exits, often Ziebart, http://www.ziebart.com/Index.aspx?mid=2&PageId=70 abit like Scotch guard for your car paint, various brands and products are still available today.

 

[Gary C]

Thanks both, I will get the wheels off and have a good look and do some preventative maintenance over the winter months (its not going out now they have started throwing salt about [>:])

I have (much to the original owners horror) treated the car to some zymol and in some areas I got a little bit of redness on the cloth, looks like the coating has faded and a little oxidising has taken place. However it now looks better than ever.

Roll on the spring.