Rust

(Difference between revisions)

Revision as of 02:53, 25 November 2011

Like any steel-bodied car, the Datsun 1200 is prone to rust. Unlike the Datsun 1000, the body panels are not galvanized but only painted on the inside. Eventually rust will attack your car, sometimes from the inside out. This means that keeping the car's paint waxed -- though it will help -- will not prevent rust.

Rust Treatment Methods

Rust treatment is not specific to the Datsun 1200, you treat it the same way as any other car. So look for rust treatment guides here: Rust Treatment Internet Search

Fender Corner Rust

Floor Rust

Battery Tray Rust

Water Box Rust

The most common "hidden" rust problem is with the "water box" -- the part of the firewall/cowl where fresh air enters the cabin.

• discussion: water leaks

See Firewall for how these panels fit together.

Water normally comes in though the vents behind the bonnet, then runs down to a hole that is there to let it out. You will only see this hole when a welded section is removed from inside the inner guard.

If any part of the body in the area is rusted, water will instead leak down onto the fenders.

The drain hole is behind the Reinforcement stiffener piece:

Fuel Tank Rust

• discussion: repairing rusty fuel tank