plastic arches

[s11pyk 0]

Last week i picked up a tidy ish N reg 3door in black. the front and rear bumpers seem to have been painted with a brush but this isn't an issue as i plan to smooth them (read get someone to smooth them for me!) the big question i have is how do i take the plastic arch extensions off. should my car even have them? the side rubbing strips are body coloured but the extensions are unpainted?

im guessing once they're off il find a shitload of rust but never mind, they're going! i reckon the front arches will need replacing, is this an easy job and is there a rear arch replacement panel or is it just patching on the rust thats there?

also is there a difference in 3 and 5 door front doors? i need a new drivers door too!

lastly what and where should i look for rust ie common places as she has a short mot and i just know its gonna fail. im still made up with it tho, swapped into a vr6 from an escort cabby! happy days i think!

[gavinvr6 0]

for rust look under the rear arch's, leading and trailing edges as water gets under the uderseal, rear arch covers can and do allow the water to sit so can cause issue's. obviously seals will need to be double checked. over than that it will be panel rust like bottom of front wings and door bottoms, the boot plinth is a prime place for water to sit and cery common. also im aware of a couple that have gone around the lower edge of the front screen. you can also get rust under the rubber roof strips. i found a 1" hole where water had gathered around one of the mounting points on the a-pillar,

[Lukey. 381]

there are panels available, the plastic arch trims come off by popping the centres out of the plastic rivets on the inner edge of the arch then the trim will pull away, yes you prob will find underneath the trims they are fooked. Patch or replace is up to you but a replace job is cut the rust out weld in the new panel smooth prime paint etc not a quick and easy job but the right way to do it. 5dr doors will be shorter than 3dr doors. only thing youre going to want to watch out for on the wings is make sure the indicator cutout is the right shape cos there are square and oval

[s11pyk 0]

thanks! iv looked under one of the plastic trims and found the expected rust!! but also found that a previous owner has decided to "treat" said rust.... so i will be leaving the trims on till everything else on the car is right then it can have new wings, rear arch repairs, the door and some body mods ready for paint. for now a machine polish and a bit of elbow grease is in order to get her presentable. plus more than a little bumper gel to revive the dull plastics

[joer_vr6 0]

I have this problem, i have taken off the plastic trim around the arches and i will be leaving it off as i think the plain metal looks better, the plastic side skirts are staying but i am fitting new ones.

I have two new arches to fit and when i went to take off the old rusted one i noticed you have a few bolts under the front bumper, so i am guessing this will have to be removed to get to them. let me know how it goes incase there is any problems i may face.

I am fitting a Vento front end so probably be changin the arches as i fit that.

[Lukey. 381]

you have to remove the front bumper to take the front wings off