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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.
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Rust Treatment Methods
Rust treatment is not specific to the Datsun 1200, you treat it the same way as any other car. Search for rust treatment guides here: Rust Treatmentᴳ.
- The best solution is cut the rust out and replace with sheet metal patches
- The best treatment is POR15, perhaps
A lot of rust and a few holes
Rust around the taillights is another area to inspect
Bottom of suitcase full of rust & holes, [need] more new sheet [metal]
More rust & holes
Fender Corner Rust
In the front the solution is to patch the Sills
In the rear, patch the Fender
Floor Rust
Lift the front mats to examine the floors -- floor rust -- very common. New panels can be purchased as of 2017.
Engine
Engine with water damage to the bores must be re-honed
Battery Tray Rust
Grind off the battery tray rust, sand it down, and cover with primer paint
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: POST water leaks
See Firewall for how these panels fit together to form the 'box'.
Water normally comes in though the air vents behind the bonnet, hits the baffle and runs down to a drain hole. If any part of the body in the area is rusted, water will instead leak down onto the fenders. You will only see this drain hole when a welded section is removed from inside the inner guard.
The drain hole is behind the Reinforcement stiffener piece:
Solution? Cut the rust out and replace with new sheet metal
Fuel Tank Rust
What if you have a rusty Fuel Tank?
Discussion: repairing rusty fuel tank
Light surface rust like this can clog the fuel filter. Remove the rust and treat the inside to prevent it from re-ocurring
Wheel Well Rust
