... me being the owner just for the last 4 years. Anyways, I've decided to share an update with the people here, in case some of you are wondering about the rust and the underbody on the Skoda Superb II, aged 10+.

 

Two weeks ago, my car's wind-shield and a rock the size of a golf ball met at 130 km/h, guess which of those got the short end of the stick. To be honest, after the initial hit, I expected major cracks on the wind-shield, but it wasn't as bad, and it was in the lowest possible spot of the wind-shield - I could've probably driven some more around with it like that. But, since I've already prepared myself for repainting the roof of the car (some damage to the very edge of the roof towards the front, couldn't be repaired/painted without removing the wind-shield completely), I've decided to take the plunge and have the car "refreshed" a bit - something I've decided on a long time ago, but was aware that I'll be without the car for almost two weeks, and never had the time to do that before. The car now has 208000 km, nothing major regarding maintenance, just regular work done by myself (including the gearbox and Haldex oils). Some bushes and joints have been replaced though, on the front and rear suspension (due to rattles and thumps while driving).

 

What I've decided on doing was to have the hood repainted (small scratches, chips and rock craters on it, nothing major, but ruined the front end of the car if you have a keen eye), the roof (already explained) and the rear bumper (because the clear coat started to come off, probably due to pressure washing, and I've had several hits to the rear and the paint having a circular like crack - looked funny, probably a car reversed into me and slightly bent the bumper, the plastic was ok, but the pint chipped in a circular fashion), including the side-skirts, and the rear wheel arch towards the rear passenger door (some damage to it as well, the previous owner "fixed it" like a 3-year old would). The new wind-shield is genuine, didn't want to go with cheaper ones, because the genuine one proved its sturdiness on multiple occasions, even survived a rogue toll ramp which came down on it and nothing broke (except the ramp).

 

I've also asked the garage to do some touch-up/polishing of whatever they can do with the car while it is there. After they lifted the car, and started doing work under the car, they suggested to bitumen coat the underbody of the car - completely. Mostly due to rust. Yes, sadly, rust started to appear (not much actually, if you consider a lump of metal being on the road for 12 years). The secondary benefit of this procedure (which is yet to be tested, since I'll be picking the car up tomorrow) is lower road noise, due to the bitumen coating on the wheel arches and below the entire car. Bottom end - 8kgs of bitumen was applied to the car. If the thing ever catches fire, the wheel arches will be last thing standing ... 🤣

 

The photos show the "show", so enjoy.

 

 

 

Edited 15 July, 20205 yr by vborovic
typos

Actually for 12 years the start point didn't look too bad considering. I've just been holding the rust back on my wifes 2006 Fiat Panda and I can tell you that was considerably worse (see photos before/after) - OK albeit two years older. Myself I've been using Owatrol oil that looks like engine oil but set's to a sort of varnish/resin finish and is fab at holding back the rust. Great for suspension components as well.

 

Thanks for the pictures - it'll give me a clue where to start on my 2014 twindoor.

 

Did yours have a full length plastic undertray? - The floor on my facelift seems to be covered in plastic front to rear with semi circular cutouts for jacking up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, bigjohn said:

Did yours have a full length plastic undertray?

 

Not shown on the photos, but the car does have 2 plastic plates covering the left and right side, from the front to the rear wheels. Approximately, 75% of the middle underbody is protected by them. Not sure about the other variants, but since my car has a 3.6 engine (two exhaust pipes, two cats etc. and the 4x4 system, maybe there aren't full body plates available for it, rather two separate ones - for each side of the car, the middle portion left open).

2 minutes ago, vborovic said:

 

Not shown on the photos, but the car does have 2 plastic plates covering the left and right side, from the front to the rear wheels. Approximately, 75% of the middle underbody is protected by them. Not sure about the other variants, but since my car has a 3.6 engine (two exhaust pipes, two cats etc. and the 4x4 system, maybe there aren't full body plates available for it, rather two separate ones - for each side of the car, the middle portion left open).

 

Mine is the other extreme 1.4tsi 2wd  poverty spec so a lot less going on under the car!! However it's interesting re the rust on the underfloor that looks like it has formed despite the plastic covering.

 

Last time I saw mine underneath whilst it was being serviced with plastic covers removed it still looked spotless - I'll ask to have a look see on the next service. 

 

 

I think age and miles, inc usage has a lot to do with it. My 2005 Octy 2 with 246k on it has done 210k of motorway miles in all climates. The bottom is looking really rusty loads of components like the rear arms. Body rust where the body meets the rear bumper. Sills rusting in places presume where the bitumen has been compromised in a few places. Car looks a lot nicer now @vborovic