Cowley Sills

[The Mighty Quinn]

Originally Posted by Rogue

The rear offside always seems to be the one that goes first.

Likewise, I would say that my offside rear sill is the worst.

However, after I removed all the trim, wings and arch liners from the car, I powerwashed the inside of the sills out (through the various apertures) and by far the most gunk came out of the nearside rear sill - no obvious corrosion to that section, though

Water ran clean from the offside sill. But to be fair, I believe that the discolouring on that section of the sill is due to surface rust only (from isolated external paint damage at that area).

For a car that is over 15 years old, the bodywork beneath the wings and arch liners etc. is in very creditable condition, save for some minor surface rust here and there. Glad I took into getting this work done now, though, as I wouldn't like to leave these areas untreated for all that much longer.


Cheers,
Karl.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by The Mighty Quinn

If you get a chance, Pete, that would be great. I'm interested to see the finish at/along the door jambs.


Cheers,
Karl.

I hope these help ...

[The Mighty Quinn]

That's brilliant, Pete.

Thanks very much for getting those photos taken and uploaded

I seem to have run out of thanks on this thread..

Hopefully, these photos will help the paint man get things right.


Cheers,
Karl.

[Sonic ZS]

I managed to spend an hour or so today, carefully removing the black underseal that had been added to the sills on my S-reg car.

Looks like the original factory stonechip was only applied to roughly the horizontal parts of the sills, then being gradually faded out as the sill curves upwards, until it becomes the satin black paint finish.

There's no 'hard' masking line, as with the later, Longbridge painted sills, which have a prominent edge to the textured stonechip.

[Lord of Hog]

Originally Posted by Sonic ZS

I managed to spend an hour or so today, carefully removing the black underseal that had been added to the sills on my S-reg car.

Looks like the original factory stonechip was only applied to roughly the horizontal parts of the sills, then being gradually faded out as the sill curves upwards, until it becomes the satin black paint finish.

There's no 'hard' masking line, as with the later, Longbridge painted sills, which have a prominent edge to the textured stonechip.

Same with my Cowley 2.5 except I have body coloured sills (JEL)

[Dorchester2]

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

Same with my Cowley 2.5 except I have body coloured sills (JEL)

They weren't coloured from factory then, were they?

[The Mighty Quinn]

Originally Posted by Dorchester2

They weren't coloured from factory then, were they?

From what I understand, there were a small number of Cowley-made cars that left the factory with body-coloured sills. This was a no-cost option, apparently.


Cheers,
Karl.

[The Mighty Quinn]

Originally Posted by Sonic ZS

I managed to spend an hour or so today, carefully removing the black underseal that had been added to the sills on my S-reg car.

Looks like the original factory stonechip was only applied to roughly the horizontal parts of the sills, then being gradually faded out as the sill curves upwards, until it becomes the satin black paint finish.

There's no 'hard' masking line, as with the later, Longbridge painted sills, which have a prominent edge to the textured stonechip.

Yeah, Paul, it looks as though the Cowley (satin black) sills aren't really textured (undersealed) to the visible portions at all i.e. not until the sill meets the underfloor of the car.

However, I've asked the paint shop just to reinstate the underseal as is on my car, which ends at the masking line about 1/3-way up the sill (Longbridge car), whilst painting the entire sills satin black. The textured finish shouldn't be that obvious in that area and I'm reluctant to leave the lower sill unprotected from paint chips, especially as I won't be refitting the mud flaps.

I know the black sills aren't to everyone's taste but I just think they make the car look slightly less "bulky", although this effect may not be as prominent on dark colours, such as Copperleaf And it's not that big of a job to repaint the sills if I don't like it

My front and rear bumpers are in very good order, save for a small scratch to the lower lip on the front one. So, I'm not going to get the bumpers repainted at the paint shop, just going to rattle-can the lower lips satin black to match the sills. If the repainted bodywork doesn't quite match the bumpers, I'll get the bumpers painted professionally as well.
But, what's the best way to paint the lower lips of the bumpers at home? Carefully mask off the lip, rub down smooth with 800 grit sandpaper, 3 coats of plastic primer, 3 coats of satin black + 3 coats of satin lacquer?

Have the bumpers sitting in the garage, so might as well tackle them when the car's getting done.


Cheers,
Karl.

[Sonic ZS]

It's quite possible that Rover may have received some warranty claims in the early days (Cowley cars) for chipped sills, which resulted in raising the line of stone chip when production moved to Longbridge.

Realistically, whichever of the two styles you choose, they are both relatively hidden at the bottom of the car so will go unnoticed by 99% of people....except the 'spotters' like me !!

[Lord of Hog]

Originally Posted by The Mighty Quinn

From what I understand, there were a small number of Cowley-made cars that left the factory with body-coloured sills. This was a no-cost option, apparently.


Cheers,
Karl.

This looks to be the case with mine. There's no sign of anything ever having been black.