77PANEL REPAIRS
8
SEALING AND CORROSION PROTECTION CORROSION PROTECTION
The following information details the materials that are
applied during manufacture for corrosion protection.
Factory Treatments
The Defender is treated with the following
anti-corrosion materials in production:
A PVC-based underbody sealer material
which is sprayed onto the underfloor, wheel
arches and undersill areas.
An application of cavity wax which is
sprayed into enclosed cavities and box
sections.
A final coating of underbody wax to cover
the complete underfloor including
components but excluding brake discs,
exhaust system and propeller shafts.
A coat of protective lacquer applied to the
whole body.
A coat of protective wax applied to the
engine bay and wheel arch areas.
NOTE: Do not apply wax to engine bay of
Td5 models.
In addition to the above measures, all steel parts are
zinc-coated both sides.
Underbody Sealer
Underfloor areas and outer sill panels are treated with
a Plastisol PVC underbody sealer. This material is not
suitable for re-treatment.
When repairing areas of underbody sealer, strip the
factory-applied material back to a suitable break point,
ensuring that a clean metal surface is exposed and
that the edge of the existing material adheres soundly
to the panel.
Blanking plugs and grommets in the floor pan (except
those used for wax injection) MUST be fitted before
underbody sealer application. Heat-fusible plugs
which have been disturbed should either be refitted
with the aid of a hot air blower or replaced with rubber
grommets.
NOTE: Application of new underbody
sealer must be carried out between primer
and surfacer paint operations. Areas
where seam sealer is used should be re-treated as
necessary before application of underbody sealer.
CAUTION: Ensure that suspension units,
wheels, tyres, power unit, driveshafts,
exhaust and brakes (including all
mounting points) are shielded prior to application
of fresh underbody sealer.
Cavity Wax
Cavity wax is applied to certain box sctions The
information given on the following pages is intended
as a guide and shows the areas to be treated with
cavity wax, as well as the access holes used during
manufacture.See GENERAL INFORMATION DATA,
Sealing and corrosion protection section.
Underbody Wax
A coat of underbody wax is applied to the entire
underbody inboard of the sill vertical flanges, and
covers all moving and flexible components EXCEPT
for wheels and tyres, brakes and exhaust. The wax is
applied over paints and underbody sealers.
The underbody wax must be reinstated following all
repairs affecting floor panels.
CAUTION: Old underbody wax must be
completely removed from a zone
extending at least 200 mm (7.9 in) beyond
the area where new underbody sealer is to be
applied.
Engine Bay Wax
Reinstate protective engine bay wax disturbed during
repairs using the approved material.
Wheel Arch Wax
Reinstate protective wheel arch wax disturbed during
repairs using the approved material.
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PANEL REPAIRS
9
SEALING AND CORROSION PROTECTION Stone Chip Resistant Paint/Primer
Re-treat all areas protected with factory-applied
anti-chip primer with suitable approved material in
repair.
Inspections during Maintenance Servicing
It is a requirement of the Land Rover Corrosion
Warranty that the vehicle body is checked for
corrosion by an authorised Land Rover dealer at least
once a year, to ensure that the factory-applied
protection remains effective.
Service Job Sheets include the following operations to
check bodywork for corrosion:
With the vehicle on a lift, carry out visual
check of underbody sealer for damage.
With the vehicle lowered, inspect exterior
paintwork for damage and body panels for
corrosion.
NOTE: Wash the vehicle and ensure that it
is free from deposits prior to inspection. It
is part of the owner’s responsibility to
ensure that the vehicle is kept free of
accumulations of mud which could accelerate the
onset of corrosion. The Dealer MUST wash the
vehicle prior to inspection of bodywork if the
customer has offered it in a dirty condition, and
pay special attention to areas where access is
difficult.
NOTE: The checks described above are
intended to be visual only. It is not
intended that the operator should remove
trim panels, finishers, rubbing strips or sound
deadening materials when checking the vehicle
for corrosion and paint damage.
With the vehicle on a lift, and using an inspection or
spot lamp, visually check for the following:
Corrosion damage and damaged
paintwork, condition of underbody sealer
on front and rear lower panels, sills and
wheel arches.
Damage to underbody sealer on main floor
and chassis members. Corrosion in areas
adjacent to suspension mountings and fuel
tank fixings.
NOTE: The presence of small blisters in
PVC underbody sealer is acceptable,
providing they do not expose bare metal.
Special attention must be paid to signs of damage
caused to panels or corrosion material by incorrect
jack positioning.
It is essential to follow the correct jacking and lifting
procedures.See GENERAL INFORMATION DATA,
Information section.
With the vehicle lowered, visually check for evidence
of damage and corrosion on all painted areas, in
particular the following:
Front edge of bonnet.
Visible flanges in engine compartment and
boot.
Lower body and door panels.
Where bodywork damage or evidence of corrosion is
found during inspection, rectify this as soon as is
practicable, both to minimise the extent of the damage
and to ensure the long term effectiveness of the
factory-applied corrosion protection treatment. Where
the cost of rectification work is the owner’s
responsibility, the Dealer must advise the owner and
endorse the relevant documentation accordingly.
Where corrosion has become evident and is
emanating from beneath a removable component
(e.g. trim panel, window glass, seat etc.), remove the
component as required to permit effective rectification.
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