Is this a known problem with bugs? Just failed the mot
on rusted through rear arches so its going for welding
next week.

Anyone else had this or am I just unlucky?

 

Yes this is a known problem on classics as well I've just welded up my daughters car
Phil

 

Any car can rust. I had to deal with some rust on my bug. Just be sure to spray a good layer of waxoil or equivalent into the inside part of the rear arch.

 

Just annoyed as the car was a minter for me but hadn't seen any mention
of inner arch problems on the bug so when I bought it I obviously didn't check there
and couldn't really as it is lowered on coilovers.

Hey ho, you live and learn.

 

The big can rust from the inside of the rear wheel arch to the outside, so take boot liner out and check in there, the sealant used is **** and acts like a sponge.

 

The Bugeye cars are now 14 years old and it is to be expected. It may be that it's had a poor repair in the past and this made it more prone to rust.

The Classics are a widely discussed problem but it can be easily remedied with a pre-emptive inspection, treatment and rust proofing, I did my Classic arches this weekend.



So wheels off and a check proves that everything seems in good order so just a quick scrub down with some Surfex HD and some multi-surface cleaner followed by a wash with soapy water.







Inside the lip of the arch. Lovely.

A spray of Dynax and now the fronts.

Liners off.
Before.

After.


Liners on with new clips. I did think of going at it with a wire cup and drill but as the surfaces are so good I left them.

 

So the bugs are the same as the classics then.... oh well

 

This.

And under that sponge they call "sealant" there is no paint at all just bare metal, and when the rear arch start to bubble you know its coming from the inside.

Ofcourse the rust start from the outside to, at the lip where the clip that holds the rear bumper is attached, and from the inside of the wheelarch where there are nothing more than thin paint to protect it from all the wet sand and dirt that builds up when most of car owners dont wash the car in the wheelarch, and then it can also start between the inner and outer wheelarch-lip that are spot welded together...

And dont talk about the outwards facing plate in the upper strut mounts....