Rust prevention

Get it galvanised.

Risk of distortion on such a rare item?

How about this outfit?

Well you'd want somewhere that had a clue or the surface finish would be dreadfull

There's a company used by the classic fraternity which applies modern anti-corrosion techniques to bodyshells. Now its aimed at complete shells but they should be able to do individual bits. Not cheap but then again, neither is replacing a sunroof every few years. They do a zinc phosphate with an electrophoretic immerisoin coating and that'll not rot for many a year to come.

SPL - 01384 242010

Ah, just posted the same.

Thanks, Conor, I'll get in touch with them.

Ballpark figure - 150 quid. Perhaps they don't know there's a recession.

How much would it cost to keep repairing, repaint and replacing one?

"Dave Plowman (News)" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

If you could get a new one, how much would it be?

Did you get any idea of the price for a complete shell, out of interest?

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Since you're prepared to try Mail Order try this place, although I'm not sure that they do Mail Order. Worth a quick call:

BEAD blasting would appear to be the best treatment for your pressed steel component as it's very gentle.

Cic.

Dunno. They talk about doing a whole bodyshell for 1500. That sounds resonable. 150 for a thing about 4 x 1 ft not.

Have the bodyshop blather the inside of the frame and underside of the panel with dinitrol once it's painted.

Are you sure there isn't a local metal treatment company? My brother's place does the initial treatment (not painting) for JCB and he can do odd jobs very easily.

I can ask him if you like - but he's not local to you I think:

Rob

You'd think there would be this sort of thing in London - after all it's got thousands of small industrial estates. I just assume they don't want small work so don't advertise.

Plenty of electroplaters around - but this is a different sort of thing.

Yep, brother doesn't exactly go out looking for small jobs, but he has offered to do bits and pieces for me in the past - bike bits, speaker stands, that sort of thing.

I would imagine, knowing him, it'd be a £50 cash deal.

Most of the industrial ones can do it though.

Right - perhaps I'll try some local ones. But I've tended to think of electroplating as a skilled and expensive process.