96 replies to this topic

[spraybeater]

Thanks for the comments ! thats the thing thing about being retired no pressure HaHa ,

always did have a good work ethic 51yrs in the motor trade at all disciplines 20 of them

self employed so as they say bills don't take holidays no work no pay! 

 

slidehammer, did think about that at the time at the jacking points I did drill a couple of holes

and sprayed in weld through primmer and put small grommets in! after the painting is done will be 

cavity waxed! always found that proper prep i.e. cleaning areas to be welded and using weld through

worth doing have in the past stripped of previously welded panels where burnt paint has caused rust

to form, same with finger prints ect on bare metal. as they say my thoughts no doubt others have their 

own   ,

[slidehammer]

Thanks for the comments ! thats the thing thing about being retired no pressure HaHa ,

always did have a good work ethic 51yrs in the motor trade at all disciplines 20 of them

self employed so as they say bills don't take holidays no work no pay! 

 

slidehammer, did think about that at the time at the jacking points I did drill a couple of holes

and sprayed in weld through primmer and put small grommets in! after the painting is done will be 

cavity waxed! always found that proper prep i.e. cleaning areas to be welded and using weld through

worth doing have in the past stripped of previously welded panels where burnt paint has caused rust

to form, same with finger prints ect on bare metal. as they say my thoughts no doubt others have their 

own   ,

Agree about the  jacking point, I think I will do something similar, Keep up the good work, really enjoying this thread.

[spraybeater]

Good to get back into Mini job after break in sun, and a visit up to Scotland to catchup with

friends and family.

working way forwards next the door repairs,

 

 

usual rust requiring work,

 

heritage door skin painted ready for fitting,

 

 

rivenuts for mirror,Dynamat for sound deadening! picked up at NEC Classic car show,

 

door fitted,

 

inside of other door skinned up and primmer with etch,

 

managed to get slight curve in door with a bit of work!

 

Another trip to Minispares in York picked up wings and front panel (Heritage again)

 

trial fitted ! and realised that I did not check the wings closely enough as can be seen

from photo the small piece under the headlamp hole is welded on wrong !!!

I usually check panels very carefully (must be an age thing ) and as had already drilled and sprayed

with weld through couldn't take it back,

 

other side OK,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All panels fitted and most major welding finished 

Inner wings were from mMachine, scuttle and closers from minispares (Heritage) bonnet bought of

eBay from minimod in Rotherham NOS genuine holographed part.

did for some reason miss some photos out from this part of build

Next paint prep, 

[Marco1972]

Very nice work

Your flying through this build

Putting some of us to shame lol

Mark

[wingnut]

Nice work

[slidehammer]

I defiantly think we need to get you drugs tested as you must be on speed.  the amount of progress you are making, so quickly and at such a high standard. Top work.

[spraybeater]

Thats the benefit of being retired, usually get into workshop about 10am most days and spend most of

the day at it never do Sundays though,plus took a couple of years off after retiring went to Cyprus for 

16 months!! built a couple of 14th scale Trucks and a Wheeled loader to keep me busy( didn't want to

fall into the expat sitting in Bars all day routine) Moved back to UK and relocated to W/Yorks and for 

the first time had a garage at side of house  so thought about something to do in it ! hence the 

Mini project.

 

So on with the work, as you will see from the date on photos after the Christmas /Newyear festivities 

 

started the filling process ,

 

 

 

 

fortunately I kept all my painting equipment after retiring never thought it would be used again but

HeyHo never say never,

 

 

 

 

 

A few days work went into this stage ! the better the prep the better the Finnish

 

More to follow Thanks for looking , now I am glad I set the date marks on photos reminds me how much time

went into this!!!

[Steve220]

You make it looks so easy! Great work.

[spraybeater]

Sorry don't mean to make it look easy! been doing bodywork most of my working life,

last job before retiring was workshop manager for a large construction company, a real

high stress position and about 67hrs a week so this is fun  and no intervention from

VOSA & Health and safety !!!!!!! and a fleet of 145 vans 95cars 40trucks and heavy and

light plant to look after .

 

So back to project, after a lot of deliberation putting it out for paint really wasn't an option 

so even with little space to work decided to do it in sections.

 

 

front first Lechlar Epoxy primmer 3coats ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/S and rear done ,

 

 

 

boot lid ready for epoxy primmer old no plate holes welded up and old repairs sorted out,

 

 

 

 

  

all epoxy primmer applied to shell ,

 

More to follow Thanks for looking.

[MrBounce]

Looking fantastic. Great work 

[leadly]

Superb work, well done!

[Daz1968]

Very good, can't wait till I get mine to paint stage, but still a couple of months off yet

[pothole]

Great project and a good read, lots of helpful tips looking at the photos, but you must have froze in January with such a small oil filled radiator 😊

[pdaykin]

Nice work.

If you ever get bored I'm sure I could find space for you in my garage.

[spraybeater]

Thanks for the comments!  been following your project Daz nice tidy work, on the small heater didn't 

freeze had it and another low power strip heater on 24/7 for a fe weeks to keep body shell warm I

personally don't feel the cold just keep going!!

So on with the project after block sanding 380 grit abranet pads dust free vacuum collecting most of

dust,shell was then coated with 3 coats of primmer surfacer,after all seams had been sealed,it was

then put on spit and put up on side to do underneath,

 

 

had previously painted underside with POR15 witch was then keyed with red Mirka pads then seam sealed,

 

 

 

at this point have to admit to copying an idea from (petrol) on here and made some Stainless strengthening plates for

subframe mountings as right from the outset to solid mount it previous minis I have had all were the old solid mount

and have driven loads of rubber mounted minis and didn't like their handling,

 

 

 

stone chip applied and primed,

 

 

 

 

one half painted and masked ready to do other half,

 

 

 

 

subframes blasted and epoxy primed,

 

 

 

 

started refitting bits and pieces underneath ,

More to follow once again thanks for looking and comments .