55 replies to this topic

[nitrodave]

There’s the same number of welds that were originally used. Plug welds are also quite a bit stronger than the original spot welds

[exuptoy]

You need more plug welds on the front wings, the number shown in the photos is nowhere near enough to make it strong enough in the event of an accident.

I assume any advice is not gonna help the OP as I think the vehicle is now finished and in paint. I think this thread is a quick reference to document the 10 day build timeframe.

[nitrodave]

Day 5

 

Half way through and much of the mucky work is completed. Today we made a start on prepping the panels. These were largely in very good condition. The only challenge with these was removing the bonnet catch pin and we had to weld a nut on to break it free.

 

The doors has a very small amount of superficial crust that we skirfed off. We also attached the seam trims

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to prep the body of the car and get a coat of primer on so that we could see how much attention it needed. 

 

Getting primer on the car marked a significant step in the process and it was beginning to feel like light at the end of the tunnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masking the car is a time-consuming process and we had to do this a few times. Twice for primer coats and a final time before paint.

 

 

 

 

At the end of Day 5 we had a solid coat of high build primer that we could flatten bak ready for paint.

 

 

 

 

 

[jamesquintin]

If you need any stickers for the MPI, I sell most of them :)
 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/jqsgarage

Q
 

[exuptoy]

What was the process for the scuttle to wing joint? Was this spot welded from behind and then seam sealed with tiger seal etc from the front? Same Q for the front panel to wing joint?

[nitrodave]

What was the process for the scuttle to wing joint? Was this spot welded from behind and then seam sealed with tiger seal etc from the front? Same Q for the front panel to wing joint?

That’s right, it was tricky getting in there but the wings are puddle welded to the scuttle and front panel then tiger sealed from the outside. We used a proper seam sealer from inside though

[exuptoy]

Thank you Dave. Will be doing mine shortly.

[cookie4343]

There’s the same number of welds that were originally used. Plug welds are also quite a bit stronger than the original spot welds

No offence but the plug welds look weak upon zooming in on image. Not enough heat or no gas. Either way nice work especially working to a deadline.

[sonscar]

Welds look like the primer contaminated the weld pool.I don't think they will fall off.Nice to see a refresh rather than a restoration.Steve..

[nitrodave]

I'm pretty confident the welds will hold. We did quite a few test welds beforehand and they were binding very well. Time will tell I guess!

 

This is the first time I've restored a mini so go easy on me! 

[nitrodave]

Day 6

 

Next step was to pain the inside of the boot and bonnet

 

 

 

We then turned our attention to prepping all the panels ready for primer.

 

You can see the original lacquer, base coat and primer in the first pic here. It was like this on the whole car and there has never been any bodywork on the car prior to me getting it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the panels all prepped we sprayed on some guide coat and rolled the car back into the booth to be flattend back ready for its final coat of primer.

 

 

 

After rubbing the guide coat smooth the car was masked up once more and given a couple of coats of black primer.

 

That was it for all the mucky work! I was now looking forward to my hands being clean again after a week of rust, grease, dirt, grime and dust. 

 

 

 

 

... and here's the car fully primed!

 

 

[exuptoy]

I love seeing a vehicle in primer and panels in fresh paint! Nothing like it!

[Jase]

Looks good, you're not hanging about :)

[nitrodave]

Day 7 pt1

 

 

I have never resprayed a car fully, so having a totally blemish free vehicle was not something I’d ever had. This far exceeded anything I ever imagined it to be and my friend did a fantastic job.

 

Before this the car was only ever a dirty heap or a mishmash of old and new panels. Here is the car after two coats of colour and three coats of lacquer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[exuptoy]

That is stunning!