DeTomaso Mailing List: December 2000, Message #161

Bruce,

Here's a link to get you started on the rust issue. Try not to panic!

http://www.PanteraPlace.com/page57.htm

Most important there are the diagrams near the top (click to enlarge) that
show the typical places where rust is likely to occur. Most of the really
bad rust occurs when water gets trapped in enclosed places with accumulated
dirt. Most of these are in the lower part of the body. This is one reason
power washing is not advised. Try to get and blow out (with compressed air)
as many of these as you can. On my car, for instance, I drilled 1 1/2 inch
holes in the front and rear ends of the inner and outer rocker panels to
really clean them out. I ended up using a large bottle brush strapped to
the end of a 5 ft rod to clean them out and then apply POR-15.

Also, I got some of the "Corrosion Control" stuff I mentioned last month (
see http://realbig.com/detomaso/2000-11/50.html). It looks pretty
interesting as a preventative. I intend to squirt this every where I can.
It's advantage is that it can "migrate" to places you can't get to
otherwise (like most of the car! and especially places like the door and
lid seams). The disadvantage is you have to apply it yearly. Pretty cheap
insurance if it works.

Also, be sure to check the archives. http://realbig.com/detomaso. If you
type in rust you'll get lots of hits!

Richard Barkley


----- Original Message -----
From: Bruce Nardoci <footsball@worldnet.att.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <detomaso@realbig.com>
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2000 5:51 AM
Subject: Just bought a Pantera - one more question


> I'd like to thank everyone for their answers to my questions in my first
> post to this list. It's obviously Pantera owners are c close
> knit/friendly and helpful bunch, and I'm proud to now be a member of
> that group. I hope to get to meet some of you at a future Pantera event.
> BTW, if it helps anyone else, from checking about 10 or so insurance
> companies, it appears Grundy Insurance (215 887-8100) offers
> Comp/collision insurance with NO mileage limits :-) - I'll know for sure
> when I get the policy and can read the fine print.
>
> I do have one more question. I've having my new car pressure washed and
> re-painted (including removing the old paint). Seems like it would be a
> good opportunity to do some rust protection too - the car has to last me
> at least another 40-50 years :-). What's the best way to rust protect a
> pantera? Also, are there any other long term care tips?
>
> Once again, thanks for everyone's help.
>
> P.S. If the person in NC who has the rights to the personalized license
> plate "PANTERA" ever wants to relinquish it, let me know ;-).
>
> P.P.S to Kirby Schrader: I'd appreciate any advice you may have from
> your experience of using the Pantera as a "daily driver", since that's
> how I plan to use mine too (I do have a "back up" car for times when the
> Pantera is broke, or isn't appropriate to use like parking at the
> airport or driving in snow etc.).
>