Shedding the pounds

摘要

Ifound a nasty patch of rust in the rear quarter of my Mini's boot last year, which was particularly awkward to reach. A small patch was welded in place temporarily, to get the car through the MOT, but I knew it would need further attention. Out came the angle grinder and off came the rear valance. The panel was quite bent anyway and it was starting to crumble where the three layers of metal are spot-welded together. It's better practice to drill out the spot-welds, but I'm not planning to weld the new valance on as it will be a lightweight carbon-fibre version. Along with the new valance, I've ordered a whole batch of carbon-composite panels, some showing the carbon weave and others in a gel coat. So I've been shedding the pounds in more ways than one this month. Carbon panels are cool but very pricey.