Rusted sil/side skirt - can it be replaced?

[soulwaffle]

Went for an MOT today, and it'd failed on the rusted sil (rear drivers side). I'm looking around at tutorials but I cannot workout if these can be replaced or if they're welded to the frame. Pic attached.

 

[enc]

Went for an MOT today, and it'd failed on the rusted sil (rear drivers side). I'm looking around at tutorials but I cannot workout if these can be replaced or if they're welded to the frame. Pic attached.

Is there an actual hole there? Might just be surface rust. On the under side towards the arch there is a plastic “thing” not sure what it’s official purpose is but it traps crud which is what triggers the rust. Might be the case on your car you can remove it and clean up the area removing the loose rust and treating the area with some good de rusting products before making good and painting.
of course it all depends how far the rust has taken hold and your frame of mind about treating it.

 

[soulwaffle]

Is there an actual hole there? Might just be surface rust. On the under side towards the arch there is a plastic “thing” not sure what it’s official purpose is but it traps crud which is what triggers the rust. Might be the case on your car you can remove it and clean up the area removing the loose rust and treating the area with some good de rusting products before making good and painting.
of course it all depends how far the rust has taken hold and your frame of mind about treating it.

Thanks for the response enc. I presume you're referring to that part of the sil located near the wheel arch. You can unscrew it and behind there I should find lots of crud? As shown here: https://image.ibb.co/e3RyEH/17.jpg

Im guessing from your post and looking at this guide: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...retrofit-installation-guide-pic-heavy.372818/ ....I cannot remove this part of the sill, it forms pat of the frame.

 

[enc]

Thanks for the response enc. I presume you're referring to that part of the sil located near the wheel arch. You can unscrew it and behind there I should find lots of crud? As shown here: https://image.ibb.co/e3RyEH/17.jpg

Im guessing from your post and looking at this guide: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...retrofit-installation-guide-pic-heavy.372818/ ....I cannot remove this part of the sill, it forms pat of the frame.

No, not that (which is at the front) you need to lie on the floor and look up at the sill (at the rear) It’s kinda of y shaped

 

[soulwaffle]

Well, I popped along to two body shops. The sil along with the rusted section needs to be cut out and replaced and sprayed. It'll either come from a part or the section needs to be made. cost around £200-300.

 

[soulwaffle]

Anyone recommend a bodyshop in Kent that carries out welding? Chappelle coachworks is fully booked for the month.

 

[soulwaffle]

So, I've had the rusted sill section cut out and replaced. I've yet to collect the car. The only thing jumping out at me are the 'tacks' and how I would go about smoothing those out?

 

[samisnake]

They get ground down. The person who did the welding should do it really, before covering the fresh metal with a coat of primer to stop it rusting

 

[ahtcap]

Grind the the welds to a flatter finish

 

[danrst171]

Are you doing the remaining work yourself? If so, you need to grind, epoxy primer, body filler, then primer etc (obviously with appropriate wet and dry throughout)

If it's going to a bodyshop for paint, I'd just grind it down to smooth and then let the body shop do as required.

 

[soulwaffle]

Went to collect the car. I believe the pictures he had sent me were to show me the work he had completed before doing the above as mentioned by danrst171. I still need to smooth/paint it.

 

[Bigjase88]

Didn't know Stevie Wonder had taken up welding

 

[danrst171]

Didn't know Stevie Wonder had taken up welding

I didn't want to say anything as I'm no welder....

 

[soulwaffle]

so long as it doesnt fall off. The welding goes underneath to the floor pane.

 

[enc]

There’s quite a bit of work to do there mate. Is the garage finishing this off or will you be doing it yourself?

 

[soulwaffle]

There’s quite a bit of work to do there mate. Is the garage finishing this off or will you be doing it yourself?

The job is completed on the garages part and the sill has been undersealed etc. I need to paint it but will come back to it. I think this post has been overlooked:

Went to collect the car. I believe the pictures he had sent me were to show me the work he had completed before doing the above as mentioned by danrst171. I still need to smooth/paint it.

 

[enc]

Do you intend keeping the car a while?

 

[soulwaffle]

Do you intend keeping the car a while?

Indeed, probably until I'm forced to scrap the car because of some diesel ban scrap scheme I will be done with the engine/transmission mods in a few months. My only concern is that the rust spreads beyond the sill.