corrosion

dave100 · Jun 7, 2015

Hi i brought my 1st freelander last week which runs great but i have noticed a couple of issues with corrosion under the tailgate handle and the fuel tank cradle is rusting away.
not to worried about fuel tank cradle as i cant get a new one and replace but was wondering how difficult to remove and handle and willl it be easier to replace tailgate or could i possibly repair the rusted area and advice would be great.

Hippo · Jun 7, 2015

Tailgate handle unbolts from the inside. Yer have to take oft the inner plastic panel to get to the screws.

In general Freelander 1's don't rust unless there's damage which cuts into the paint/metal like scratches or stone chips. Rust under door handles normally comes from rings or keys in yer hand when using the handle which scratches the paint and eventually cuts through. Could also have started from the bolts going rusty which hold the handle on.

Take the handle oft and fix the paint issue yerself. Lots of online stuff to help.

dave100 · Jun 7, 2015

Hippo said:
Tailgate handle unbolts from the inside. Yer have to take oft the inner plastic panel to get to the screws.

In general Freelander 1's don't rust unless there's damage which cuts into the paint/metal like scratches or stone chips. Rust under door handles normally comes from rings or keys in yer hand when using the handle which scratches the paint and eventually cuts through. Could also have started from the bolts going rusty which hold the handle on.

Take the handle oft and fix the paint issue yerself. Lots of online stuff to help.

Many thanks for advice on removal now removed i can see this is totaly rotted and a uneconomical repair is a lot more involved than paint repair i did try rubbing down and just big bits of rotted steel fall out so i will be on the look out for a replacement tail gate rot free in 696 paint code.

Alibro · Jun 7, 2015

dave100 said:
Many thanks for advice on removal now removed i can see this is totaly rotted and a uneconomical repair is a lot more involved than paint repair i did try rubbing down and just big bits of rotted steel fall out so i will be on the look out for a replacement tail gate rot free in 696 paint code.

Yours looks a bit worse than mine did but still fixable. I cut out a piece of tin from an old computer lid and pop riveted it in place, then lots of rust stopper and a drop of paint. If you bend down and look up at it you can see the repair but otherwise it looks fine.
I didn't even see the rust until the door handle came off in my hand.

dave100 · Jun 7, 2015

Alibro said:
Yours looks a bit worse than mine did but still fixable. I cut out a piece of tin from an old computer lid and pop riveted it in place, then lots of rust stopper and a drop of paint. If you bend down and look up at it you can see the repair but otherwise it looks fine.
I didn't even see the rust until the door handle came off in my hand.

Thanks for advice i thought about riveting on a plate just damage is right on the lip were it bends in on the recess and ever were feels so soft and crusty i have applied lots of vactan and painted with hammerite so should be ok for now and i will try to find a replacment tailgate in the long term
I have also painted fuel tank cradle with vactan so hopefully last a little longer.

Alibro · Jun 8, 2015

dave100 said:
Thanks for advice i thought about riveting on a plate just damage is right on the lip were it bends in on the recess and ever were feels so soft and crusty i have applied lots of vactan and painted with hammerite so should be ok for now and i will try to find a replacment tailgate in the long term
I have also painted fuel tank cradle with vactan so hopefully last a little longer.

Never heard of Vactan. Is that some special paint for Holy rust protection?

teddywood1 · Jun 8, 2015

Alibro said:
Never heard of Vactan. Is that some special paint for Holy rust protection?

yes but do not tell the tratter boys or they will be buying it by the load LOL

longdog · Jun 8, 2015

Check behind the wheel arch liners at each end of the sills.

dave100 · Jun 8, 2015

Alibro said:
Never heard of Vactan. Is that some special paint for Holy rust protection?

Hi yes vactan is a rust converter protector used for many years in the marine industry used on boats so easily available in any good marine shop i have used for many years i find it the best rust converter protector available and it only costs about atenner for a litre bottle that lasts for ever.

Vactan - Performance Chemicals

Alibro · Jun 8, 2015

Cool, cures rust and forgives your sins!

corrosion

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