MX-5 Novice - Corrosion Question For a Grown Up

[Mr.Mulve]

Hi I've recently joined the group after reading some very helpful items on the MX5Ireland forums and I've also just got my first MX-5, after many many years of rubber necking. Its a Mk4 2018 1.5.
I've only got it a short while and it is stored in a garage. Bought from MD and full MD service every year for past four years, clean body no marks and checked all the usual items before buying so felt relatively confident.

Yesterday I noticed a few points of corrosion, more than I'd expect on a 2018. I've also a 2014 Mazda 3 2.2L and no corrosion like the MX5.

Images are of:
Horn behind front bumper. (Very corroded)
A strut behind front bumper just under the hood body. (Corroded)
Drivers side underbody front joint corrosion and passenger side front (no real corrosion)
Driver side rear underbody corrosion.

The first two seems a bit advanced for a 2018, ideas?
It also seems more on driver side than passenger, possibly to do with previous owner parking.

What I'm really wondering is A) Is this common? B) An issue and C) any thoughts on an underbody rust proofing?

As it's my first MX5 maybe these points are normal and we still just have to get to know each other.

Any unsolicited advice also welcome!

Thanks

[Pops]

Hi and welcome, your pics show that you are catching it in time. Your best option now is to get the complete underbody cleaned and wire brushed, then treat entire underbody with rust conveter and profer, probably something like Por15 or schultz, also dont forget to do the cavity wax treatment.
Mx5's traditionally have very poor corrosion treatment from new so your car would be showing typical rust issues.
Best of luck with the car, they're real enjoyment

[Pops]

https://www.fmkrustproofing.ie/pages/di ... on-process
This gives an idea of what it needs

[Steve]

Exactly that ^
It's mostly just surface rust so it's the perfect time to treat it

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[Mr.Mulve]

Thanks for the quick reply and all the info Pops that's great and a bit of a relief tbh to know its still early days.
Any experience using the FMK crew or other for similar in the South East?
The Por15 looks the job and straightforward enough if I can get access.

[Pops]

I don't have any experience of them, I always diy it. If you're any way capable then a set of ramps and wire brush on a drill should work well.
Here's something that has good reviews for home use https://www.lanoguard.co.uk/en-eu?gad_s ... 5471058141

[Mr.Mulve]

Thanks again Pops & Steve, I'll give it a go when it the weather goes above zero again.

[notch000]

Thanks for the quick reply and all the info Pops that's great and a bit of a relief tbh to know its still early days.
Any experience using the FMK crew or other for similar in the South East?
The Por15 looks the job and straightforward enough if I can get access.

ive used POR 15, its excellent, get the small tins as once opened that cant really be resealed and it give massive coverage. from reading online dont get it on you face, hand or cloths, its permenant.
It also supposed to got directly onto clean metal, not over primer , rust converter etc

[Steve]

Do you remember where you picked it up? I've a "project" coming up

[Mr.Mulve]

I too am finding it tricky to source south of the border. Any chance you recall where you got it last?

[Pops]

A few places online, expensive stuff
https://ie-eur.desertcart.com/products/ ... d8QAvD_BwE

[Mr.Mulve]

Thanks Pops.

[notch000]

sorry , I got mine from polish'n'parts in cork but it looks like they ceased trading now, I'm doing my own rear end (finally). The POR 15 is amazing. i have the head of a screw in the car coated in por15 that i'd fiddle with in traffic and you;d really struggle to pick off the coating with your claws.
I have one small tin left that should do the 4 wishbones & rear ARb, need to find something myself for the subframe. I painted an old rusty wheel barrow with some paint Rustoleum combicolo last year and it still looks good after two damp winters upside down in a puddle under trees outside, I might last on more of that and top coat with something more suttle (its kawasaki green)

No sure if POR 15 can be shipped from UK as probably classed as hazardous materials.

[Mr.Mulve]

Thanks Notch. I looked at that crowd in Cork too but seems they're gone.

I've found this crowd in UK who are slightly cheaper and ship to Ireland via UPS.

I'll post if it arrives.

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/eu/por15-r ... nt-745102/


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[notch000]

im might order some too, one tip I read everywhere is get the multiple small tins, a little goes a very long way. Once the tins are opened & exposdd to air they cannot seal propely and are guaranteed to go off. also any spill on the lips will glue the tops together no joke,
i used a single mini tin on my front 4 wishbones and ARB + a couple of random chassic spots.