Octavia RS 256,000 miles on the clock - is this a record?

[Octavia47]

Have owned this car since 2002. 

 

Still driving ok even after all those miles but it is deteriorating. Paint is peeling on front bumper and rust spreading on all sills. 

 

Does anybody have any ideas on a practical and economical fix?

 

Am very reluctant to scrap it as it's part of the family now, but it's not practical, or indeed possible, for us to spend loads on it and I don't know what to do with it otherwise !!

 

 

 

 

 

[stratosg]

Do not scrap it. Fix it. Both peeling paint and rust can be fixed if you are a bit handy.

 

For the peeling paint and top coat you will need some sand paper to sand it first. 

 

Go and get waterproof sand papers 600, 800, 1000 and start removing the peeling varnish (top coat). Rub carefully so not to reveal the bare metal. 

 

Then if you don't reveal the metal you will need 2k filling primer. Clean with degreaser the scuffed area and apply three coats of filling primer, following the drying period of 10 to 15 minutes between each coat. After drying the last coat sand it with 800 grit to remove the coarse feeling of it. After that clean the area with some rubbing alcohol in order to start painting the base colour. You will need 2k base coat (colour) and repeat painting in three coats as before. After third coat is dry clean the area with a tacking cloth. Finally apply three coats of 2k top coat (varnish) and you are ready. If you have orange feeling on your varnish, wait a week and then sand the area using a 1500 grit waterproof sand paper and then 2000 grit. Very lightly just to "brake" the orange peel. Then clean with rubbing alcohol and buff it with some buffing ointment. 

 

If you reveal the bare metal, then you have to apply three coats of  2k epoxy primer first and the follow the above steps. 

 

All these can be done using rattling cans. HB Body has really excellent and cheap products as concerning the primers and top coats. The colour can be done using the colour code of your car on a car paint seller. 

 

As for the rust and since it is not that severe to have holes needing cutting and welding the metal, you start with 80 grit dry sand paper and sand untill you clean the rust. If you cannot remove it totally, apply some rust converter (not rust remover) to convert rust to black healthy metal.

 

Then follow the above steps. 

 

Of course you can apply putty where needed. After drying the putty sand it with 180 and 240 grit dry sand paper. 

 

There are plenty of videos in YouTube to take a look. 

 

 

 

 

 

[stratosg]

When masking, fold the masking tape so not to create harsh lines between old and new paint that is PITA to remove. 

 

Also you may use a blending agent to spray over the edges, where new and old paint meets so to have a better blending result. 

 

Wear face mask, you do not want to inhale that stuff. 

 

Spraying from a distance of 10 to 15 cm from the panel. First coat is really light, second is a bit heavier and third even heavier. Watch out not to heavy to avoid runs. 

 

Base coat may need four coats as metallic paint does not cover very heavily. 

 

I am not a professional painter nor mechanic. I am an IT teacher who just loves cars and especially Skoda cars.  

 

 

[petrolbloke]

13 hours ago, Octavia47 said:

Have owned this car since 2002. 

 

Still driving ok even after all those miles but it is deteriorating. Paint is peeling on front bumper and rust spreading on all sills. 

 

Does anybody have any ideas on a practical and economical fix?

 

Am very reluctant to scrap it as it's part of the family now, but it's not practical, or indeed possible, for us to spend loads on it and I don't know what to do with it otherwise !!

 

Have you got some photos? Any advisories relating to the rust on the last MOT?

 

If it's just a small area of the front bumper then it might be worth a go at a DIY or smart repair, otherwise you could look out for a second hand bumper in the same colour to replace it with. If it's a larger area or you don't want/can't find a second hand bumper then you could get it re-sprayed. You could save money on that by DIYing the removal/refitting and doing some of the prep yourself.

 

As for the sills - they shouldn't really rust unless they've been damaged by jacking the car in the wrong place. They can be repaired/replaced but it just depends how bad they are - probably best to find a local garage that does welding to advise.

 

@stratosg that looks like a really good DIY repair and a nice detailed post too