 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Rust around windscreen area - Defender Puma |
 
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| G55AMG Member Since: 05 Apr 2013 Location: Kuwait Posts: 8   
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Hello,
I recently noticed some bubbling of the paint below the drivers side of the windscreen and wanted to seek any recommendations for repair, is there a specific method used in order to insure this will not occur in the coming years. Is it due for stagnant water if the car is not dried or washed properly ? Or a case of two metals reacting or shoddy factory quality interns of paint or preparation. Similarly a small bubble has appeared to the right side of the windscreen. Thanking you in advance, photo below  Click image to enlarge |
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16th Feb 2025 4:08pm |
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| G55AMG Member Since: 05 Apr 2013 Location: Kuwait Posts: 8
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I love this car as much as I do with my classic mini, they share the same issues unfortunately.
Will repairing this be a temporary fix or can I have a permanent fix? |
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16th Feb 2025 4:28pm |
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| ickle Member Since: 22 Jul 2010 Location: South Vendee Posts: 1822  
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I think the screen surround is cast aluminium, production probably knock th edge off the paint when fitting the screen, water is trapped under the seal and the ally corrosion creeps under the paint.
More of a PITA than structural. Keith |
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16th Feb 2025 5:15pm |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3564  
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Had mine repaired (along with many other paintwork issues) under the bodywork warranty by LR. I don't think you will find, I am unique. That would have been done 5 plus years ago. Bubbles of corrosion are now starting to show again. I will be back at the bodyshop again when it gets bad.
The bodyshop that my dealer chose did a very good job, but I can't afford their overheads. Best thing to do is to find an independent one who understands the Defender and take it on the chin that if you keep your truck, and you want it to look nice, you will become familiar with their company  |
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16th Feb 2025 6:41pm |
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| revd Member Since: 20 Apr 2024 Location: England Posts: 184
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Can't help with repair process but debris beneath the screen blocks tend to trap water in the channel under the screen - I regularly poke a zip-tie in the gap and clean out an accumulation of moss and leaf mould to prevent water sitting there.
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16th Feb 2025 6:41pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3655 
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Regular spray with ACF 50 will keep it at bay, also spray it beneath the window rubbers especially in the corners it will chase out any water that has got in there. Proper fix is to get an older window frame that is better made and get it painted ready for a simple swap out. DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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16th Feb 2025 6:53pm |
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 1144 
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To keep a defender in tip top cosmetic condition you need to garage and avoid driving when they salt the roads, regular wash especially underneath also important.
Once aluminium starts corroding it's hard to stop. |
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16th Feb 2025 8:24pm |
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| revd Member Since: 20 Apr 2024 Location: England Posts: 184
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Counterintuitive almost but regular hosing of the chassis is essential- especially to prevent build up of mud, which is the worst thing for promoting corrosion. My 2002 90 is still around locally - on original chassis and cross-member - I had it from new up until five years ago and regularly hosed the underside with annual application of wax oil in the box sections - always garaged too.
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16th Feb 2025 8:33pm |
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| G55AMG Member Since: 05 Apr 2013 Location: Kuwait Posts: 8
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I lifted the side rubber and noticed there is still some stagnant water after few days.
I will take it to body shop to repair and then clean the rubber and lift it when washing defender. Expose it to leaf blower to get everything out and go for a drive. |
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17th Feb 2025 8:26am |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1043 
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It will come back. Once it's in there, you can't get rid. I had mine repainted first by Land Rover, then by an independent paint place.
Each last 4 years. Replaced the frame 2 years ago. All is good so far. |
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17th Feb 2025 1:05pm |
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| keith Member Since: 15 Aug 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2234 
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The only proper fix is to replace the bulkhead and screen with a Galvanised one. |
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17th Feb 2025 7:23pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2701
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You can’t galvanise the screen frame, it’s cast aluminium. And the problem is not related to or caused by bulkhead rust.
The problem is poor quality aluminium corroding as per above posts. Much worse on later defenders due to cheaper materials, but older ones will suffer it eventually. |
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17th Feb 2025 7:35pm |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3564
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Would a galvanised steel screen replace the aluminium one or are the Pump screens different?
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17th Feb 2025 7:46pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3655
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What he said, they are aluminium, the old ones are better so best is to get an old style screen in good order and prep it well for a swap out, that is my plan after LR fixed it under warranty and the bubbling came back after 18 months DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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17th Feb 2025 8:34pm |
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