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Body - Repainting
Omicron Lancia Spares and Restorations
pre-Beta Lancia spares
and restorations
CASA LANCIA
Repair, service, restoration
Fulvia Flavia Flaminia

 

Q: The body is basicly sound apart from some bad spots. So I intend to:
strip all parts on the outside and take the windows out. I am not sure yet whether I'll take all the old paint off. Do what has to be done on the bad spots. Respray
Any advice? Anything to pay special attention to?

A: Usually the really bad problems concern the rear subframe mounting points (just in front of the doors) and, even more difficult to repair, the mounting points (front & back) of the rear leafsprings. Everything else can be fixed without too many problems (sills, panels, etc).

I advise you to strip off the old paint. I did not do that once to save time and money and after a few months I had to re-do the job! All Fulvias (I do mean all) suffer from water leakage through the inadequate rubber seal of the boot lid. This means that water/moisture get trapped around the fuel tank (remove the spare wheel and lift the rubber carpet).

Of course, if you see a crack at the top of the front wheel arch, then you know that this is the famous stress fracture due to a bad rear subframe rather than just a cosmetic wheel arch trouble.

It is strongly advised to rustproof the car using the factory-made appropriate holes (which are often forgotten or ignored) for wax injection. The most important ones are found inside the engine bay area at the rear corners. They cannot be seen but they can be felt if one runs a hand a around that area. - Andrea -

Q: What is the best way to strip paint off?

A: One should use a professional paint remover. If a total respray is needed, it is advisable to remove the wind screen and the rear glass. It then becomes a complex job because it is necessary to have new rubber seals. The old ones are usually ruined during removal. - Andrea -

Q: Inadequate rubber seal of the boot lid. How can we solve this once and for all?

A: Not easy. A new seal will help of course but one should regularly apply Waxoil (or similar) to the tank area and inspect it frequently. - Andrea -

Omicron Lancia Spares and Restorations
pre-Beta Lancia spares
and restorations
CASA LANCIA
Repair, service, restoration
Fulvia Flavia Flaminia