David, may I recommend "RUST AND ROT" (ISBN: 0207954364) by R.M.E. DIAMANT

If your knowledge of how corrosion works is like mine (ie minimal), then this is the book for you. I see that copies turn up on Abe books etc. now and then. It's long out of print (1972).
It will answer all your questions - I think!

Regards, Stuart

PS I see you can buy a copy from Amazon for £2.25 £2.75p&p as of this instant!
S

Thank you chaps, I have a little rust beating to get on with.

And would you use Waxoyl on the leaf springs or just brush them with old engine oil?

Mike

If you put oil or grease or waxoyl etc. onto springs, without covering them, you will find that grit sticks to them and then acts as grinding paste between the leaves (the effects of this can been seen on older springs where the upper leaf has worn it's impression into the lower leaf) this, ultimately, reduces the life and more importantly the effectiveness of the spring.

I personally leave "open" or "naked" i.e. uncovered springs painted without any oil or grease. I have one car with leather gaiters/covers on the springs and these springs I have greased. Be warned however that the gaiters cost more than a new spring would, so it’s up to you to work out the cost vs. longevity! You can effect your own cover by wrapping black plastic tape over the greased spring and then wrapping spring around the outside of it (stringing was also done to sports springs to help "stiffen" them) but some people don't like the way this looks, ultimately the choice is yours, good luck.

Ruairidh

There was a picture a few months (years?) ago of a Seven being put together with Heat Shrink tubing over the springs.

Does anybody have any experience of cord binding springs?

Peter

I took the springs on the GE Cup apart and polished them with an angle grinder to remove the wear marks. I then greased them liberally and put them together again, finally wrapping them with Denso tape. This is horribly sticky stuff which is very enthusiastic about attaching itself to your hands, clothes, tools, etc, and I think I got it from a local plumbing supplies shop.

David

Peter,

The Heat Shrink Tubing photo showing the rear springs was I think done by an Australian racing enthusiast. I thought I'd taken a screen grab of the photo, but can't now find it, was probably 12 to 18 months ago.

Jeff.

I used to clean, grease and wrap my springs in Denso tape until I had occasion to remove said Denso tape. If water gets in it stays trapped in and causes severe corrosion of the spring. My springs are now naked and oiled.

I have found over the years that spraying or brushing deodorised Fish oil onto exposed ,rust prone and hard to paint areas (not the cosmetic areas) of the underbody (including springs) effectively prevents any further rusting. it stays sticky for a few weeks ,but then can be painted over. I have had the book Rust and rot for many years and find it useful but it dosnt mention anything about Fish oil. It will make a new car last forever if you apply it inside all body cavities and seams. Do people use it in the U K ?