Hi fellow XK enthusiasts,
When fixing the wishbone bushes etc I noticed that the sil edge at the wheel arch has started to attract the dreaded rust, I guess through road grim/ gravel etc being thrown up whilst driving ( I do live in a rural area so roads not always silky smooth, having said that I'm in the UK so that prob covers everywhere 😂.
The question I've got is that the sil is the same colour as the bodywork however, it's got a very textured finish I.e. Bumpy to the feel. Does anyone on the forum know what this is and if there's a product that can be used that's readily available?

Thanks
Steve

 

Steve,

I've moved your question from XK/XKR 2006 onwards to XK8/XKR 1996-2006 forum.

Members here will be able advise on the sill protective coating.

Graham

 

Steve
The 3M version is called Rocker Schutz You'll need to clean the rust and treat it. There's a special gun that is used to apply it. I'm sure there are other companies besides 3M that make it. Here's the information about it.
Fast drying, tintable, paintable, chip resistant coating for use on motor vehicles; resists weathering, salt spray, and abrasion. Texture is coarse. Use with applicator gun, part number 08997.

 

Here's the 3M Data Sheet for Rocker Schutz:

3M Rocker Schutz - Data Sheet.pdf

It includes application instructions.

Graham

 

Gravitex is the one I use and there is a thread on here I contributed to which will scare the bejeezus out of you

CLICK HERE

Must be something to do with the colour........ Lol

 

Gee thanks for that link... made my night

I honestly didn't know rust was a common problem on the X100s.. fortunately my car spent all its life in Georgia before now... away from the sea and the snow. Being in Chicago, it only comes out to play on dry spring/summer/fall days. Hoping that will keep the rust at bay...

 

OMG! For a car that's been religiously serviced by Jaguar specialist garages all it's life and I've never been advised of the rust issues, I'm shocked and disgusted in their so called professional service! I guess the old saying "if you want a job doing well dot it yourself" really means what it says! Under the car I go and do everything I can myself plus save a packet as well I'm sure.

 

You have obviously not been using the correct specialist

 

Obviously not and I won't be using them again ��

 

Well the Sils are now done, I used Gravitex as recommended (thanks XK Racer) and turned out a good match. They look ok for a first timer :-) on a thorough inspection it was only surface rust with nothing too deep, a relief following the troubles been had by others . After the wire brush, rubbing down etc I applied Kurust, then couple coats of Gravitex, 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of top coat and 2 coats of lacquer. For good measure whilst the wheel arch covers where removed I gave it a good coating of waxoyl just to try and keep any future rusts bugs at bay

Thanks to all advisors, this forum rocks

 

Pretty much exactly what I did to both arches back in September 2012, the rust is now as bad as it was then.


I plan to redo the job again but this time I will do a couple of things differently.


Use rust eater rather than converter, a much slower process unfortunately.


Paint the bare metal first with rustbusters epoxy mastic, then the Gravitex, then colour and clear. I may also go for 2k rattle cans rather than cellulose.