NCT non-structural corrosion at right front wing, where to find welder/mechanic for a quick job?

New2Cork · 26-05-2023 9:09am #1

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I found the following earlier topics (https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057100645/nct-fail-structure-corrosion, https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057206622/nct-fail-secondary-structure-corrosion) that suggest, instead of going to a body repair shop, that a metal fabricator/regular mechanic could get the job done for way cheaper. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone in/near Cork city? Would this still be fine for my car?

Mind you, I don't even mind the regular body repair shop even though it would be more expensive, but the the problem would then be sourcing a replacement front wing, see pictures/attachments (imgur . com/a/TtK3mSV). New is 400 euro, and then atop of the labour-cost for welding and painting that would not be worth it as this is a Ford C-Max from 2005. The thing is I recently moved to Cork from continental Europe, and I am shocked how expensive second-hand cars are here. Moving to Cork has already been expensive enough, so I really am hoping to just get this car through NCT this year, hopefully relatively cheap, and then get another car when prices hopefully return to 'normal' in the upcoming year (wishful thinking maybe). The car works also still works perfectly fine, and it would be a bit outrageous to scrap this already.

Would appreciate any genuine feedback. Cheers.

BlakeS94 · 26-05-2023 10:19am

Could be wrong but I think that's just a bolt on/bolt off, no welding required just get a 2nd hand wing from a scrapyard off the same colour car

That line to the left of the rust patch is where the wing stops and the side skirt starts.

New2Cork · 26-05-2023 10:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642416#Comment_120642416

Could be, I didn't ask if it's only bolting on/off or also welding.

They did mention having a look on findapart.ie or partfinder.ie to get a 2nd hand wing, but no luck finding one so far. They said they would also have a look, but I doubt it since everything seems to be in short supply..

greasepalm · 26-05-2023 11:06am

If you find a body shop can they not cut the bad stuff out treat it and weld a new plate in place . Everybody says it has to be new this or that when not needed. Sometimes things are way overpriced and you seek a different way. I had to get sills done on many NCT fails and he cut the bad bits out and welded in a new plate.

40 years ago things got repaired by real people with skills of how to repair and fix and new generation ah it needs a new one.

User1998 · 26-05-2023 12:26pm

If your into DIY, you could easily have that sorted for around €25.

Just tap around the area with a smaller hammer to remove all of the rusted bodywork, and buy a body repair kit like the one below. Cover the rusted bodywork with a couple of layers of fibre glass and putty and then spray paint over it. I’ve done this a couple of times and passed NCT.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Davids-Fastglass-polyester-containing-protective/dp/B01B85H5C6/ref%3Dasc_df_B01B85H5C6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309775958298&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15275150300470400389&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007850&hvtargid=pla-607498695779&psc=1

Hellrazer · 26-05-2023 12:39pm

That looks a lot more than a "quick job" if Im being totally honest. How far in does the rust go? It does look to me like it has gotten to the chassis right at the front near the wheel which would be an NCT fail.

Its hard to tell in those pictures. Can you get a closer up picture?

You really need a body shop to assess that properly.

As @greasepalm says - anything can be repaired by cutting out the bad section and welding in plates. If it hasnt gone as far as the chassis (and I think it has) the Fibreglass kit recommended by @User1998 would get you through another NCT but they will poke at it so make sure its solid.Remove all the old rusted stuff back to good metal and then use the fibre glass kit to fill the hole.

New2Cork · 26-05-2023 1:07pm

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https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120642979#Comment_120642979

Do the new pictures help?

@greasepalm @User1998 thanks, I'm not really into DIY, but I'm desperate enough to give it a try if my options are limited 😅

mk7r · 26-05-2023 1:58pm

Its time for a new wing

Hellrazer · 26-05-2023 2:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643145#Comment_120643145

Yep much better - new wing it is - its not gone into the chassis. Or try the fibre glass kit. Its really very simple to use.

greasepalm · 26-05-2023 3:26pm

Plenty of videos up on Youtube showing rusty repairs if needed.

User1998 · 26-05-2023 4:14pm

Will probably take a couple of hours and a few layers of the fiberglass kit but its simple to do. You just poke out the remainder of the rust and layer on the fibre glass and hardener.

Just bare in mind the metal to the left and right of the hole has probably been compromised too so that will have to be poked out and removed

New2Cork · 28-05-2023 5:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120643937#Comment_120643937

any yt videos you'd recommend? these are the videos I found:

youtube . com/watch?v= h59-fLeU6uE
youtube . com/watch?v= Zp5gmDC7KQI

I ordered the kit you suggested from Amazon, it seems I will also need a dust mask, sanding paper, and some spray paint. Anything else you'd definitely recommend?

Also just to be sure, the Polyester resin is meant to be used as the putty?

Thanks all for the feedback!

greasepalm · 28-05-2023 6:52pm

Rust cure .

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=rust+cure+on+you+tube&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:6f8e6dd9,vid:vlggeZlSTm0

and a paint brush so you can treat the area

MarkR · 28-05-2023 7:37pm

https://youtu.be/GyfkM5Q8JbU

This guy seems pretty handy, and always good to see it being done with parts available in Ireland

User1998 · 28-05-2023 8:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120651218#Comment_120651218

I wouldn’t bother with the mask.. I thought I remembered the kit coming with sandpaper, but maybe I I bought a slightly different one.

Spray paint isn’t exactly needed, its more of a choice. I would leave the spray paint until after the NCT so that the tester can poke around at the repaired rust. You can get a can of spray paint made in your local motor factors. It would be beneficial to get some primer too