647 replies to this topic

[lewis]

outstanding work buddy!

any idea when your planning to finish it by?

also saw the 10" gb wheels in the backround there, are you using those, there one of my favourite mini wheels

[analogue_radio]

Cheers Lewis! I had planned Christmas in high hopes and expectations, but a more realistic deadline to aim for will be Easter! If I make it then it would be around about 2 years since it failed the MOT, a good amount of time for a full resto I think! And it will be in time for the start of the show season



I had a play with this tonight, strong smelling stuff!



This is the patch I was filling, there is also another small patch underneath but I missed it off the photo

Basically this mini has been repsprayed in its past so there is more than one layer of paint! And I was curious to see what was on each layer.



A photo of the patch before I etched primed and red oxided.



After going over the area with some 120 sandpaper I applied the mix of filler and hardener.



Left for about an hour (the tin says 20 minutes, but I wanted to be safe ) and then sanded down. Starting with 120, then 600 and then 1200.



& after all my valiant efforts, feels nice and smooth to me!



I left some flat points on the gutter rail and also nicked the roof with the grinder leaving a small indent in the paint, as you can see it's not blindingly obvious but it kept catching my eye and bugging me. There are 2 of these patches.



Filler mixed and applied.



Started to sand, but I got called in for tea

How does this look to you lot? any pointers?

[sharps555]

looks great to me, i love your project make's me want to start mine! i now need to move house and get a garage sorted and hopefully start my mini if funds allow kinda hard to move a mini that dosnt rely run

[Deathrow]

I'm confused!

That looks to just be a gouge in the paint to me Luke, I'd have sanded the surrounding paint down to make it all nice and level. I might be wrong though?

Filler should be applied to bare metal though .

[analogue_radio]

Yeah it is, it is a lot deeper than it looks, sanding the surrounding paint down to make the whole lot level would take years and years! so instead I figured filler the hole back in and then level it off that way.



I've got the damn problem everywhere though.. can you see the line that follows the line of the arch? It's stepped there as well. I did think about doing what you suggested and just sanding that off so it's level, can see that being easy.

Applied to bare metal? you sure? I did read somewhere about that being a nono, but I may be wrong.

[Deathrow]

I don't know, maybe I'm out of whack here!

I'm sure Pete told me to apply filler to bare metal.

[analogue_radio]

Yeah after some research it's best to apply to bare metal, I did read that it causes rust.. but thats only if you apply filler over rust you can however apply over epoxy primer.

I won't be fillering that much, just on the external panels where I have got visible welds that have been dressed down.



For example when I sort this corner out, the welds won't get dressed down perfectly flat. So I'll apply the filler over the bare metal () welds.

[Deathrow]

Yeah I'm the same Luke, I'm not using filler on any panels which don't form the exterior of the vehicle. I don't see the point and it just makes it harder to see when the rust is starting in areas like the boot and stuff.

[analogue_radio]

My big apologies for going quiet for a while, I've moved back to University so I was busy settling down and sorting myself out there.

I've come back home for the weekend, but I left my camera there.

I have made some progress, albeit a bit pointless..



You see the lower rear quarter repair panel in this picture? Well I welded that in and then after standing back and comparing it to the other side, my Dad and I noticed that it just wasn't sitting straight. Either it was welded on wonky (my fault) or I had warped the panel itself (again my fault)

So after realising I had hastily rushed into trying to repair it, I've taken a step back and I've prepared myself for another go.

I have ordered some things to aid my second attempt, including..



- Pair of magnetic draper holders.



- Pack of 5 intergrips.



- & a genuine one of these.

Also need to restock on etch primer and cutting discs!

And hopefully I will be aided by Camp Freddy if he feels up for it one weekend

[analogue_radio]

Apologies for the quality, but this is how things stand at the moment.

EDIT: also in the process of cleaning up inside the rear wheel arch.

Edited by analogue_radio, 26 September 2010 - 03:43 PM.

[analogue_radio]

Third post in a row, apologies.

Thinking about my plan of action..

1) Rebuild the floor
2) Weld on the seatbelt anchor plate
3) Rebuild end of the inner arch
4) Mount up subframe with the heel board end attached
5) Line up and weld the heel board end
6) & then sort the rear quarter

My main concern now is that cutting away the rear quarter will weaken the shell, although it most likely won't.. I don't want to risk things becoming out of line and wonky.

Oh and I'm back to Uni tomorrow morning, so most likely no more updates for another two weekends

[analogue_radio]

Few bits and bobs.



Knotted wire wheel brush for the angle grinder, the drill got a bit tired of all the stress and gave up & some more cutting discs.



Panel wise.. the seatbelt mounting plates as above and a NS rear quarter, both genuine.

I've been back all weekend but I've done a bit more work for the company I worked for over summer, earned a bit more cash to fund the project 14 and a 15 hour day! I hopefully should be back next weekend though, with the aid of Camp Freddy to get some bodywork done, all dependent on my uni work load.

[carboy001]

Looking good Luke. Look forward to next weekends update

When you looking to have the bodywork done?

[analogue_radio]

Ta mate just had a scan through the DSN classics website and there is some absolutely amazing stuff there, not too badly priced either! It's not necessary as I've got all the bits, just in normal form, not billet alloy form but after seeing how well it compliments an engine bay. I may have to order a few bits.

& not a clue! I'd love the deadline to be Easter next year.. although we shall see.

[camp freddy]

Few bits and bobs.



Knotted wire wheel brush for the angle grinder, the drill got a bit tired of all the stress and gave up & some more cutting discs.



Panel wise.. the seatbelt mounting plates as above and a NS rear quarter, both genuine.

I've been back all weekend but I've done a bit more work for the company I worked for over summer, earned a bit more cash to fund the project 14 and a 15 hour day! I hopefully should be back next weekend though, with the aid of Camp Freddy to get some bodywork done, all dependent on my uni work load.

hopefuly I'll be able to pop over at the weekend....
I'll bring my mask and gaunlets..

Have you got some c-clamps??

Edited by camp freddy, 04 October 2010 - 08:40 AM.