The Lotus Grand Tourers

I had the drivers door card off today as the window frame was slightly loose. Fortunately it was only a case of tightening the bolt and all is now good.

One thing I have never previously appreciated is how good the condition is of the door beams and the window frames with relatively little rust on either side.

What is the best way to protect them to prevent the surface rust getting any worse. I would like to avoid the "fun" of stripping the doors and painting them with protective paint, so should I spray Dinitrol (or similar) or is there a better way to protect them?

Spray dinitrol (or similar) would be your best bet without dismantling, as it atomises and will reach places you cant see. But then you wont see where it doesnt reach.

I would try a liquid rust activator to try and create that protective coat they produce. Even maybe try in a spray bottle too.

Can’t see it in your photos, but the bit that rusts the worst in the beam is at the front just inside the door skin. There is a piece of foam that is used to seal off the gap around the beam as it passes through the door skin - perfect for trapping moisture against the beam.

The beams look good all the way along, the worst part is by the hinge where the paint has flaked off but still only surface rust.

I have some Krust, good idea putting it in a spray bottle will try that before giving it a liberal coating of Dinitrol.