So, when cleaning the XJR6 I noticed 3/4 tiny bubbles in the paint, about 1 cm away from the base of the rear windscreen seal, right in the middle.

I've heard this is a common issue, is that so?

It's certainly rust that's caused the paint to bubble and I'm going to get it cleaned and a 'spot repair' done professionally to try and nip it in the bud.

Doe anyone with experience of this issue have any ideas on how to prevent it from coming back? A permanent fix rather than something temporary?

The body shop guy I showed it to and spoke to (I've used him several times over the years and he's very good) said with a spot repair it 'might' come back in 7 to 10 years, or it might not. Impossible to say for sure. Obviously I'd prefer not to go down the expensive and complicated route of cutting lumps of metal out and replacing them!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

OK thanks for the views but no advice, lol. I have now cleaned the area with a bradawl, wire brush and some wet & dry paper plus Kurust (great anti rust product). Thank goodness, as you can see, there's no rust at all on the metal now exposed.

 

Hope you have staved off rust through. It’s a terrible design as every time the car gets wet the channel below the seal fills with water, with nowhere to go.
That channel could be filled with windshield adhesive or sealant (none isocyanate) but to inspect the area and fix it properly probably requires removal of the window assembly.

 

Yes, thank goodness it's not rust! I was most perturbed on spotting the blemish, but it turned out well ultimately, just a paint repair required.

Any tips on how to treat the area before I take it to the body shop? Want to prevent any rubbish from getting in there and keep it clean. I've already put some Kurust in there but was thinking about popping some masking tape over it?

The body shop I use are mid-move so I won't be able to get the repair done probably for a week or two.