There is an outfit in the Netherlands, MAHOTEC, that manufactures, or distributes wholesale, a metal primer called INOX SPRAY. They claim that tack or spot welds can be made through it after it has been applied and is particularly useful in the repair of tubular auto body parts, the inside of which cannot be reached after the welds are in place. Having recently made my first excursion into MIG welding -- rocker panels and such -- I can appreciate the advantage of that. Has anyone heard of similar stuff being sold here in the U.S.?
Bob S.

As far as I know INOX is a trade name for a special stainless alloy (INOX steel was used for a period in flatware). Maybe this is something similar:

http://www.aervoe.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=145

Good luck,
Kåre

Welding supply shops all sell this. AKA "Cold-galvanizing"
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'74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

I'm familiar with cold galvanizing, which works fine over made welds. This stuff, however, appears not to contain zync which interferes with welding. They claim that it is made with a high concentration of stainless steel (chromium?) which gives it its conductivity and weldability. The advantage, supposedly, is that it can be applied before welding and that you can tack or spot weld through it without destroying its anticorrosive properties. I know; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But if it really works, it would be a great way to combat rust formation on welds and surrounding metal in areas that can't be reached after the weld has been made.
Bob S.

I think this is the stuff you're seeking:
My local welding shop, Terrace Supply in Villa Park, IL, sells it, they say.

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSWKWWHRL0gs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/bgel_NXKWKC54CCbl/gvel_6DTWTJQPBBgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

Oh and be careful, with an organic respirator. Very nasty stuff.

Now you've made me think about the inside of my rocker panels. How would I got about treating that area? It's original, with a dent below the rear door. From Oregon, it'll probably quickly succumb to Chicago salt.
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'74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

There are several access points for rocker panels on the 140 series.. there are at least 2 fair sized round plugs (clear/opaque plastic) and a larger rectangular access point covered with a piece of heavy gauge tin cover (fastened with a couple bolts) for each side of the car.

Attached is a picture taken of a 142 which shows these. I don't imagine the 144 / 145's should be much different.

For places which don't have access points.. don't be shy to drill a small hole to pump in your choice of grease, or wax based rust inhibitor.

I hope this helps,

Andrew

That's right, but if memory serves me, and frequently it does not, there is a structural reinforcement piece between the inner and outer rocker panel that makes it impossible to get at the inside of the outside, although limited access is available through the rubber plug inside the rear wheel arch. Anyway I was reluctant to pull up the carpeting and waterproof membrane I'd recently installed inside the car.
BTW, the welding supply store didn't have the stuff (3M Weld-Thru Primer) but, wouldn't you know it, I found it right on the shelf at NAPA -- $22, ouch! I'll give it a try and see how it behaves.
Bob S.

I had forgotten about that "the double unibody" .. I'd be tempted to drill holes in the middle piece then :) People do that all the time to get rust inhibitor into places like A columns on various other marks.

I'm think of spraying strong solvent in there, then airing, then POR or some other rust convertor, but I may be obsessed.
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'74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

Yup. Sure sounds like it. Description is somewhat different from what I found on the Dutch web-site, but its purpose appears to be the same. I'll check my local welding supply outfit, buy a can if they have it, try it out, and report first impressions here. You're right though; naaaaasssssty stuff!!!! Thanks, good to know there are helpful people out there with better hunting instincts than my own.
Bob S.

That's really interesting sounding.. I have used a primer with zync and it just seemed to cook up after you weld. Didn't leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling that it was going to work after. I'll be able to find out how well it worked when I rip my '72 up for parts (hopefully soon)..