supersai101

Hi all



Noticed today that there is this weird substance on the underside of the boot. And upon further inspection I can see that it is all over the tail light area too. Also noticed a tar like substance above one of the arches.


Any idea what any of this stuff is?


Thanks

Peter Pan

iTrader: (6)

Brush on panel seal, the black stuff doesn't look to me factory so has it seen a new rear panel at some point??

supersai101

Is the brush on panel seal there from the factory? I'm just trying to do a bit of car archeology to find out if something has happened in the past. There is actually a bit of rust appearing at the bottom of that arch, which is getting cut out and repaired in a couple of weeks. Maybe it has had repairs to the arch in the past?

supersai101

Now I know that it is panel sealant, doing a bit of research, I can see it is used to stop moisture and water getting in. It is starting to make sense now actually, there is silicone sealant around the bolt holes for the tail light. Maybe someone has tried to seal up all the points where water can get in? As I know imprezas can have leaky boots?

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Could be, but silicone is a baaaaad choice.

1. Cannot easily be removed when needed,
2. Doesn't adhere to dirty surfaces well,
3 Comes away under lots of water.

Use this stuff instead:http://www.caravan-components.co.uk/...-in-400ml-Tube

supersai101

Thanks for the link I'll remove the tail light, get rid of all the silicone type stuff and refit with that stuff don't want a leaky boot lol. Saying that I doesn't leak now so whatever is on there now must be working

Peter Pan

iTrader: (6)

Subaru does use panel seal at the factory like all manufactures but imho this doesn't look right to me so it's hiding something like rust as said above or as I've said seen a new panel at some point.

supersai101

There is no signs up spot welds or any sort of impact damage, which d suggests it has not had a new panel. However, directly above that patch of sealant on the outside of the car, the paint is flaking off.



I have touched that up with touch up paint now. But I have spoken to the body shop I am going to in a couple of weeks and they are going to sort it all out for me.

I'm going to take a guess, that water had been trapped there, gone through into the boot area. Hence why there is loads of sealant there inside the boot. The outside has been painted, but not very well and the paint has started to flake off.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

You're probably correct in thinking water is the cause of the paint flaking off, the sealant has probably perished over the years, water has found it's way underneath and has lifted the paint. It may be the original paint that's coming up as well.