723 replies to this topic

[stevede]

Hi Shifty

I thought quite a bit about the paint to use. Common sense said 2 pack but my only (limited) experience is with celly and to my thinking, is more forgiving.

Also, as I am so limited in terms of cover to work, it gives me some flexibility in a "bit here, bit there" method whereas with 2 pack I could potentially have a lot of wasted paint.

The biggest challenge at this time of the year will be temperature and I still have nowhere confirmed to paint yet although I have had some very kind offers.

I read that to do water based, you really needed a full heated booth so that was dismissed at the start.

But I do like a challenge. Ah well, onwards and sidewards!

Cheers

Steve

[giles01mini]

Top project car, looking really good. Any chance of more details to make a copy of the spit your using?
Cheers.

Giles.

[stevede]

Top project car, looking really good. Any chance of more details to make a copy of the spit your using?
Cheers.

Giles.

Hi Giles

Thanks for the comments. If you drop me your email I'll send over some more details that I have.

Regards

Steve

[stevede]

Afternoon all.

It seems a while since I have updated this thread and whilst I have been keeping on, bit here, bit there, I don't seem to have an awful lot to show for it. Unless you count receipts that is!!

You'll remember that my very basic and small compressor gave up the ghost after having to work for a living. It was never designed to do what I was asking of it and made spraying quite difficult.

After having a look on the old "flea bay" and not finding anything suitable or near enough, a comment from my good lady along the lines of "why don't you just go and buy what you want because you know you won't be happy otherwise?

Well, by the time the words had landed in my ears I was off! A couple of phone calls later and a quick trip down the road after work on Friday and I was just like a kid with a new toy! (Hang on a minute, I WAS a kid with a new toy)!!!

Saturday morning and the "eyes greedier than the belly" came to haunt me and I had to re jig, cut down & move shelves to get the flippin thing in. Still, it looks good now and the difference is a world away from what I had before.



V twin 14cfm with a 50ltr tank. Bit disappointed it doesn't sound quite the same as the Suzuki does on full throttle though!


After all that, I managed to get some primer on the doors, bootlid & bonnet and over the next week of evenings flatted back and put stopper in all the little nicks & scratches.





A final test fit of the doors this weekend to double check all the gaps & clearances before a final prime & check before being put away safe, ready for the top coat.


Nothing done this last weekend as I went to my sisters for a few days. She lives in Somerset, about 3 miles from the Bath & West showground so I spent a few pleasant hours on Sunday at the mini show and managed to buy a few bits whilst there.

Hopefully have another update early next week if the weather is kind.

Thanks for stopping by

Regards

Steve

Edited by stevede, 02 December 2009 - 08:45 PM.

[xBR4DLEY]

What you buy mate
How long do you reckon you got left until its done
\

[stevede]

What you buy mate
How long do you reckon you got left until its done
\

Hi xBR4DLEY

Nothing too exciting, a drivers door window & winder, some handles, a new set of Wipac headlights and a few bits & bobs.

How long before it's finished? Can't seem to find my string to measure at the moment but it would be nice to get it running for next summer even if it isn't finished....................Which of course it never will be!!

Cheers

Steve

[Mini Basher]

Hi Steve

Looking good mate, like the new compressor, suprising what a difference it'll make when you come to spraying the car.
Like what you did with the bonnet as well, it's gonna look excellent when its's all done. You could always say this is the dry run for the one your going to do for yourself when this one is complete lol.

Keep at it mate

Cheers

Andy

[rosco454]

Looking forward to seeing the paint go on!

[mini.cooper998]

steve,

what you using to sand (block pad da orbital) and what grades, can never grasp how you get such a smooth finish after primer my sanding of filler always looks ripley

[stevede]

Hi Steve

Looking good mate, like the new compressor, suprising what a difference it'll make when you come to spraying the car.
Like what you did with the bonnet as well, it's gonna look excellent when its's all done. You could always say this is the dry run for the one your going to do for yourself when this one is complete lol.

Keep at it mate

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy

Thanks for the comments.

The compressor difference is huge and yes, it does make work much easier. The old one (a "my mums" brand) could only run the gun for about 10 seconds before the pressure dropped below that required. This one runs it constantly without breaking sweat.

I found myself, as I'm sure many on here have done as well, on a run where you buy something (new spray gun) and it highlights the deficiences in another area then that means you need something else to work it properley(compressor) and so on & so on.

But I do like my toys and it's an investment for the future, (at least that's how I sold it to the wife)

Regards

Steve

[stevede]

steve,

what you using to sand (block pad da orbital) and what grades, can never grasp how you get such a smooth finish after primer my sanding of filler always looks ripley

Hi Andy

I'm doing all the sanding by hand at the moment. I bought a flexible profiling sanding pad which I use for getting the filler areas smooth but post paint, I have been using a small rubber block (simple DIY type) with 320's paper used wet.

The block makes it much easier to highlight high & low areas as the pictures show, I'm then using some cellulose putty to fill the small nicks, more paint and sand again.

I still have your number and although we have been saying it for a while now, I'll give you a ring over the next week and arrange to meet up to swap a few ideas.

regards

Steve

[mini.cooper998]

frightning how quick the year has gone and how little work ive completed, enjoying the updates on your sorry your daughters mini a has plenty of detail in it which has been acting as a tutorial for me. keep up the good work. when you planning on final paint.

looking good

Andy

[Brams96]

Cracking lil mini stevede! Great updates as well, loving the final colour too. Keep at it.

[stevede]

Hi everyone, time for another update....

I said last time that I needed to re-try the doors and check all was well. Good job I did as I had to make a couple of small adjustments to get the fit acceptable. They were proud at the bottom rear corner so a quick rub over with some paper to reduce the filler height and all seemed well.





Next onto the front panel where I still had some problems with paint. I don't know what was in the tin of colour that I used for testing but it won't take anything over it. I thought I had got it all but obviously not.

Out with the wire brush on the grinder!



Once I had sorted that out, I put some sealant in the gaps on the scuttle and front wings









Rubbed down the original bar coat before appliing a fresh coat to cover all the areas I had been working on and then on with a few coats of high build primer.



Cleaned out all the engine bay area and put some primer on there as well.





Really made a difference knowing that I am now moving forward on the front rather than having to work over and over again costing much time and money.

I now have a similar issue at the rear but more of that next time.

On a lighter note, I have been in two minds re the filler cap. I'd really like twin tanks but I would want them more for the exterior look rather than the practical benefits. I also toyed with covering the standard filler up and putting it in the boot as others have done.

Then....... at Somerset last week I spotted what looked like the answer?




Bit chavtastic??? Each to their own but it will fulfil the requirement I am looking for.

Will I use it? Possibly, probably, maybe. Jury's still out. Any comments for or against welcome.

That's all for now.

More updates soon

Thanks for stopping by

Regards Steve.

[mighty mini jack]

Looking good Steve.