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[Nickbat]

Been thinking about putting something on the inside of my arches to stop any future rust. I know facelifts aren't supposed to rust too badly, but I think it may be worth doing. I have some of that Finnegans stuff in the shed. Would that be OK to brush around the inside lip? Or has anyone any better ideas?

[Kevin Wood]

There's a rubberised paint that used to be available called Carlife Rubbercoat. It's a thick gloopy paint that forms a very tough rubberised finish when it sets. Stones just bounce off it rather than causing damage. It's popular with kit car owners who use it on the underside of fibreglass wings to prevent stones from crazing the glass fibre from the inside. I'd guess it'd be pretty good for this task. It's not aesthetically pleasing but would do the underside of the wheelarches nicely.

I haven't seen it around recently but maybe a google will find it.

Once opened it apparently doesn't keep well, so strip the car(s) down beforehand and try and use it all in one go. Oh, and don't bank on using the paint brush for anything else afterwards.  

There's another product called POR-15 that also might be worth a look.

These guys have a good selection of paints and underseals, etc: http://www.frost.co.uk

Kevin

[Nickbat]

Cheers, Kev.  

Spent a bit of time looking for the Carlife Rubbercoat, but it seems that it is no longer readily available. There was talk on one message board that this was roofing product which was rebranded (and made pricier) for automotive use!  

Took a look at www.frost.co.uk. They have some pretty useful products there, so I'll give it some thought. As the car's only done 18k the arches are in mint condition, so now's a good time for some anti-rust treatment.

[Kevin Wood]

I have a tin of carlife in the garage unopened. Bought a couple of years back with the intention of using it on the Westfield. If you like I'll give you a shout when I'm going to crack it open. It's a huge pot and by all accounts it doesn't keep once open...

Kevin

[markrl]

I think the best thing you can do is to keep the wheel arches free of mud and clean. When good old mother Rust does come knocking (as eventually it surely will) it’s usually from inside the box sections so anything you apply outside will simply mask the problem. As regards the Omega rust on the wheel arches is thankfully far less of a problem then it was on the Senators which could be real rotters in this area. If your Omega is well looked after you shouldn’t have a problem in this area for quite a few years yet, hopefully. Don’t believe all the Vauxhall sales spin about improved wonderful corrosion protection on the late models, they rust in all the same places as the pre facelifts. They don’t have as much rust because they are newer vehicles. That said the Omega is by no means a bad car in its susceptibility to mother rust unless you’re very unlucky. The biggest problem seems to be the door tops underneath the weatherseal due to manufacturing defects when the stretched steel panels were pressed (filoform corrosion). As a result some cars seem to suffer here quite badly while other oldies are running around spotless.    

[Nickbat]

I have a tin of carlife in the garage unopened. Bought a couple of years back with the intention of using it on the Westfield. If you like I'll give you a shout when I'm going to crack it open. It's a huge pot and by all accounts it doesn't keep once open...

Kevin

Thanks for the offer Kevin, but I think it would be a bit far to travel just for that!

[Nickbat]

I think the best thing you can do is to keep the wheel arches free of mud and clean. When good old mother Rust does come knocking (as eventually it surely will) it’s usually from inside the box sections so anything you apply outside will simply mask the problem. As regards the Omega rust on the wheel arches is thankfully far less of a problem then it was on the Senators which could be real rotters in this area. If your Omega is well looked after you shouldn’t have a problem in this area for quite a few years yet, hopefully. Don’t believe all the Vauxhall sales spin about improved wonderful corrosion protection on the late models, they rust in all the same places as the pre facelifts. They don’t have as much rust because they are newer vehicles. That said the Omega is by no means a bad car in its susceptibility to mother rust unless you’re very unlucky. The biggest problem seems to be the door tops underneath the weatherseal due to manufacturing defects when the stretched steel panels were pressed (filoform corrosion). As a result some cars seem to suffer here quite badly while other oldies are running around spotless.    

Good post, Mark. The arches are very clean at the moment, so I think your right in saying that if I keep them that way I should keep rust at bay for a fair few years.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, cleaning the wheel arches everytime you wash the car is the trick.

I also spray the insides with a shultz every 12 months (making sure they are bone dry and clean first)