right, my mk1 polo lives outdoors as i haven't got a garage. there are a few rust spots appearing in the usual places, and i want to get rid of them asap. I've never attempted anything like this before, but i haven't got the money for a proffesional bodyshop job so I'm gonna have a go myself. i want to...

remove/smooth all badges and lock and rear wiper from the boot

remove/smooth rear washer jet (located near the top of the rear screen, n/s)

remove/smooth ariel

remove/smooth holes that run along the sills for the chrome trim to clip into

maybe try to fit a scirroco single wiper

remove all surface rust patches

i have access to a welder, I've had a go with it before so i know how to use it. i know that you have to do small spots of weld to prevent the panels from warping from the heat. is there anything else i need to know before starting this? i dont want to wreck my pride and joy!

any advice would be grately appreciated, thanks!

Practice on a couple of old creased up doors first. I had a bent bonnet,lots of exhaust sections and a car with a rotten rear arch,but idealy you'd get a door and plate the lower edge. Then de-lock it. Maybe even de-handle it. Do the whole job,smooth and prime it after. Now learn from the mess you've made of it before applying your new found lack of confidence and skill to your polo.. :)

I've just done mine, take it back to the metal i.e. removing all of the rust then fill it to get it perfectly smooth sand it too obviously then prime and spray mines come out good i'm really chuffed with it takes a lot of work though. nice to see the results though. Let me know how the welding goes, wouldn't mind trying it too.