Corrosion Protection Guidelines: BMW/Mini

Details Posted on 23 May 2017 | Share:

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A key factor in collision repair is making long-lasting repairs. When a vehicle is repaired, many areas of corrosion protection are disturbed. This creates corrosion hot spots that left untreated will lead to corrosion and potentially a repair failure. However, there are certain precautions that can be taken to safely and properly restore the corrosion protection throughout the repair process. OEMs often give specifications on restoring corrosion protection. These specifications generally include seam sealer, adhesives, foam fillers, and cavity waxes. Let’s take a look at what BMW/Mini says.

Information on corrosion protection can be found in the vehicle-specific body repair manuals under: Repair Instructions ➤ 41 Body ➤ 41/00 Body ➤ Corrosion Protection. Per the Corrosion Protection document:

• BMW recommends their own brand of corrosion protection materials including cavity wax, seam sealer, adhesives, and foam. This information can be found in the Overview Of Consumables (Electronic Parts Catalogue) document, which is also linked by clicking on "products recommended".
• "Required tools can be found in the Aftersales Assistance Portal (ASAP) ‐ Service/Technology ‐ Workshop Equipment (Start BMW) ‐ Shop Workshop Equipment..."
• Cavity wax for steel: "New sheet-metal parts or cavities, weld seams and folds formed by new sheet-metal parts must be sealed with cavity protection agent after being painted."
• "new steel doors and lids must be sealed with cavity protection agent after painting"
• When to apply cavity wax for aluminum.
• "Prime and seal all weld seams that are sealed with sealant in original condition immediately after repair work."
• "Seal blind rivets with sealant."

Locations for installation and the recommended type of adhesives and sealants are found in the repair procedures.

Always follow OEM repair procedures for all repairs. Failure to follow corrosion protection guidelines can lead to the premature failure of a repair. Using the proper corrosion protection ensures a complete, safe, and quality repair.

For additional BMW/Mini information, check out the following pages:
BMW OEM Information
Mini OEM Information

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• Collision Information Website Access: BMW/Mini
• Corrosion Protection Guidelines
• Step-By-Step: Accessing BMW/Mini Repair Information

Related I-CAR Courses

Course BMW Collision Repair Overview

Course Corrosion Protection

Course Seam Sealer