M80
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2006
- Messages
- 6,134
- Reaction score
- 2,932
- Location
- Derbyshire
- Your Mercedes
- 2014 639 Viano- 651, 5sp Auto. 2009 S211- 646, 5sp Auto.
The 639 tailgate often has a rust issue before the rest of the mo mo. Stone chips or similar might be the cause but water getting in there is something we can try to prevent.
My 2014 Viano is just about the last of the 639's (prior to the 447). After rain there would be a pool around the tailgate n hasp. Water was getting into the tailgate and ending up there.
The lock is showing some signs of rust, as is the edge of the metal work around it. The hasp and bolts same of course.
There was also some rust repaired previously below the number plate lights. On removing the inner trim I could see that the inner rust was more severe and tin worm had eaten to a small hole below the number plate lights cable grommet. So not unreasonable to assume that the water was getting in around the grommet to bodywork seal (of the rubber grommet).
But there was also some evidence of ingress around fixings of the chrome handle (plastic). On removal of the handle (4x 10mm nuts, one so rusty I had to grind the nut) I could see evidence of mild rust around the holes.
I have now removed loose rust from wherever, inside and outside. I've treated with Dinitrol RC800. This is simply applied with a 1/2" brush (cheap brush as it is best disposed of later). 2 coats required but I've not been afraid to be generous.
Time will tell if it is a lasting treatment but the effect of the chemical reaction with the rust is apparent the following day.
If it stops raining long enough I intend to circle all apertures with silicon sealant, and let it cure. Enough so as to be spread on rebuild of the removed components, so I don't want it to cure to solid rubber.
Now the reason to circle and not just apply over the top. With the tailgate open for a period when raining, as is often with me, a bird bath is created around the recess (where the number plate is sited).
While this can have a comical result when asking some one unwary to close the tailgate it also means water can ingress from what is usually below.
I've seen the 4x number plate fixing dripping during this.
In summer this would have been a nice little job,
aside from the extra time to fit 2 reversing cams,
2 orange LED's to wake up any drivers approaching if I'm stationary on a rural road (or unsmart motorway),
and 2 down facing white loading area LED's that pick up from the interior lights.
My 2014 Viano is just about the last of the 639's (prior to the 447). After rain there would be a pool around the tailgate n hasp. Water was getting into the tailgate and ending up there.
The lock is showing some signs of rust, as is the edge of the metal work around it. The hasp and bolts same of course.
There was also some rust repaired previously below the number plate lights. On removing the inner trim I could see that the inner rust was more severe and tin worm had eaten to a small hole below the number plate lights cable grommet. So not unreasonable to assume that the water was getting in around the grommet to bodywork seal (of the rubber grommet).
But there was also some evidence of ingress around fixings of the chrome handle (plastic). On removal of the handle (4x 10mm nuts, one so rusty I had to grind the nut) I could see evidence of mild rust around the holes.
I have now removed loose rust from wherever, inside and outside. I've treated with Dinitrol RC800. This is simply applied with a 1/2" brush (cheap brush as it is best disposed of later). 2 coats required but I've not been afraid to be generous.
Time will tell if it is a lasting treatment but the effect of the chemical reaction with the rust is apparent the following day.
If it stops raining long enough I intend to circle all apertures with silicon sealant, and let it cure. Enough so as to be spread on rebuild of the removed components, so I don't want it to cure to solid rubber.
Now the reason to circle and not just apply over the top. With the tailgate open for a period when raining, as is often with me, a bird bath is created around the recess (where the number plate is sited).
While this can have a comical result when asking some one unwary to close the tailgate it also means water can ingress from what is usually below.
I've seen the 4x number plate fixing dripping during this.
In summer this would have been a nice little job,
aside from the extra time to fit 2 reversing cams,
2 orange LED's to wake up any drivers approaching if I'm stationary on a rural road (or unsmart motorway),
and 2 down facing white loading area LED's that pick up from the interior lights.
