bmwe21.net forums

Hi all,

Finally managed to get car through MOT, just going to take out interior for a good clean.

In the passenger footwell, there is a little rust spot which is a little damp and I wanted to let it dry out so will be removing carpets.

Any ideas how I could treat this?

If its under the carpets your best bet is to wire wheel away the grot back to bare metal, use some anti rust primer and coat with similar colour paint, your not going to see it so it does'nt really matter about the looks..?
I did a similar job on my rear arches. If its possible a good idea is to take the seats and carpet out, then cover the floor of the car in clear waxoil

Buy a product called Vactan from Ebay

DrGonzoPOW wrote:If its under the carpets your best bet is to wire wheel away the grot back to bare metal, use some anti rust primer and coat with similar colour paint, your not going to see it so it does'nt really matter about the looks..?
I did a similar job on my rear arches. If its possible a good idea is to take the seats and carpet out, then cover the floor of the car in clear waxoil

It's under the carpet, so I'll defo be removing them and take the passenger seat out to treat it.

Which wire wheel will I need?

Mobster wrote:Buy a product called Vactan from Ebay

Cool, will I still need to wire wheel before applying this stuff?

Seeing as it under the carpets, I think I'll go with the Vactan from ebay. I'll use a wire brush to prep the surface as best as possible.

@Mobster - Do you think 150ml will be enough?

Ha, a little rust spot! How solid is it mate ?? Best bet is a brass wire brush on an angle grinder, its soft enough metal not to grind anything away other than rust

lol thats the drain hole cover isnt it?

it will prolly disintegrate when you hit it with the wire wheel then seal a new cover in place with some seam sealer.

agreed nas thats one of those big metal floor gromit things. buy a new one from bmw. looks like theres rust under the tar shit on the floor pan around it too. get the tar off it and wire wheel it, treat the area with some rust inhibitor of some sort . paint it and tiger seal the new metal gromit in place.

find out why its damp under the carpet too!

murran wrote:agreed nas thats one of those big metal floor gromit things. buy a new one from bmw. looks like theres rust under the tar shit on the floor pan around it too. get the tar off it and wire wheel it, treat the area with some rust inhibitor of some sort . paint it and tiger seal the new metal gromit in place.

find out why its damp under the carpet too!

Oh ok, I spoke to BMW, they said they don't have any parts listed i.e. Floor metal Grommit?

Can anyone help?

Should be more specific really, I am planning on lifting the interior, making sure the surface is rust free, using the wire brush and applying Vactan. Then I need to buy a metal grommit in order to glue into place.

Vactan and wire brush I have, but can't get hold of metal grommit, any ideas how much they cost? Anyone got any pictures?

Also need to know a place that does them?

Thanks in advance, would be lost without the forum...or BMW dealerships would know me on a first name basis!

Just spoke to another BMW dealership and they said that it is a square mat of some kind. They don't hold it in stock and said that the part is no longer available? However they did say to come in and show them the specific location even though I described where it was situated. Fair enough, another trip to the dealership then

I am guessing I'll have to cut the existing rubber grommit mat out and replace with the new one.

Now my only issue is to find out why the are is damp. Will lift out interior and leave to dry for a few days, weather is nice

Welding has been done underneath but not directly under that area, wonder where the water is coming in from. Washed the car for first time and there seemed to be no signs of any leaks apart from a dribble in the boot but that is down to sorting the rubber seal out

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=70
Is number 1 on here the tar mat thing that covers the rusty bit on your car ?
There are 2 main places from where water gets into the footwells. The sunroof drain channels being damaged or blocked or corrosion underneath the windscreen panel. Knackered door seals could be to blame too.

DrGonzoPOW wrote:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=70
Is number 1 on here the tar mat thing that covers the rusty bit on your car ?
There are 2 main places from where water gets into the footwells. The sunroof drain channels being damaged or blocked or corrosion underneath the windscreen panel. Knackered door seals could be to blame too.

No.1 on here. Perfect, that is exactly the image I needed!

Thanks