118 replies to this topic

[Sam Walters]

I agree, red oxided my flitch panels last Winter to protect them, surface rust in the Spring. Not as good as the old lead oxide !!

Its red oxide is a marketing ploy to sell it. Its just normall primer that happens to be red!

red lead oxide is good, having used some in a can thats stood for 20+ years.

[lawrie124]

Thanks for the replies and words of warning about red oxide. The stuff we are using is industrial and we *think* we know what we are doing!
Note it is 3 year project, not 3 months.
Cheers
Mike

[stretters]

I used Halfords grey primer on my old city after stripping back to bare metal six years ago and there's was very little surface rust when she was exchanged for my cooper at the end of last year.

Only 3 500ml cans to give a good coating all over.

[lawrie124]

Some progress this week, mostly further sanding and painting.
Current job is to remove the front end and scuttle panel so we can assess any rot before welding and painting before the new front end goes on.
We can then get it on it's side and start the lovely job of removing underseal. Can't wait!

Also got some high build primer so will start practicing on our painting.

Will post up some photos one the front is off.

[lawrie124]

Well, it's hard to believe we started this only 4 weeks ago.

I would like to blame the recent hackers for losing all our updates, but that would be a lie!

So, the complete car is now stripped, and we've chopped off the rusty front end. Every bit of metal has been attached with a sharp implement to get a true feel for the areas that need replacing or patching up, and to be honest it's really not all that bad (we knew the scuttle was coming off anyway).

Both subframes are off, and a neighbour lent us a little 4 wheel 'bread trolley' from a supermarket, which is great for wheeling the shell around. We started removing the underseal, but soon got fed up with that! We've tried gun wash, diesel, petrol, air gun, scrapers etc and whichever way you do it it's a slow and dull job so we decided to focus on stripping and cleaning the front subframe and parts so it is ready to refit for when the front end gets welded on.


Borrowing a sand blasting cabinet soon, which will help make all the hubs, arms etc look nice, but we know we've got to bite the bullet and crack on with that underseal removal soon!

A couple of pictures:

Attached Files

•  DSCF2042.JPG   73.54K   61 downloads
•  DSCF2044.JPG   62.38K   70 downloads

Edited by lawrie124, 25 April 2012 - 06:45 AM.

[Lyford01]

Hi well done for having a go it nice to see youngsters giving restoration a try I have a tip before you red oxide or lead oxide or what ever you plan treat the areas that show signs of rust with a rust inhibitor could not tell you the names of the products but I know one of the mini magazine had an article in it a few months back might just be worth a look may stop the rust reappearing so fast

Good luck with your project

[kappa]

Its looking good mate, wish i had time doing that when i had the car, love to see the final pics, will keep a eye on this thread

[lawrie124]

Its looking good mate, wish i had time doing that when i had the car, love to see the final pics, will keep a eye on this thread

cheers Bobby; will try and post on here more often but losing the yard where we store the truck and race cars so a bit busy clearing out right now,

Mike

[AJAY97]

hi im 15 and have a1975 clubman estate with rust in the most awkwardest of places and all i can say is it aint easy and good luck

[Miniryan09]

Just seen this thread, Projects looking good! I'm 16 now and my deadline is my 17th birthday, (19th August). I also bought a mini when I was 14, with the intention of doing it up and having some form of 'productive hobby' the experience is excellent, and having three years to complete the project is great too as you don't have to rush things and you can learn at your own pace. I like to think now I have a decent understanding of the car, and I am really happy with it so far! (if you want to check it out I got a link in my sig)

Anyway, enough blab, I wish you the best of luck with your project, it's totally worth it in the end, (take it from someone nearing the final stages).

[lawrie124]

Thanks for all the positive comments.

Mini Magazine were 'round last night to take some shots for their "on the job" section, so hopefully it'll be in print in the next few months! How cool is that?

Might also provide some motivation for us to crack on with the truly horrible job of removing all the underseal!

[timothy9601]

hi i am 14 and got two minis a white 1976 mini 1000 with a blue roof and a cadburys purple 1987 mini city auto withe lime green trim that need lots of new pannels and lots of welding because they have rotten in awkward places.
so good look and if things get hard don't give up

Hi, i am in the same situation (14 years) and i am restoring my Dad's Leyland Mini 1000. As Neildanks said, it is a lot better than hanging about on street corners. At least we are doing better stuff with our time than "Other youths". So good luck with your project and remember that your not the only 14 year old attempting a full restoration.

[kappa]

Wow my old mini might be in Mini Magazine, can't wait to see it, hope it all is going well and goodluck with it

[Thorpsta]

Looking good, I've got plenty of time to spend on mine now exams are over, well done getting in the mini magazine aswell mine "should" be in lassic car weekly but only when it's finished

[minicity1275]

Good luck with the project.
I planned to restore my mini over the summer and that was 10 years ago!!!
Hopefully I will have mini ready by September.
Sticking to a budget is tricky but I'm sure you will you will do a cracking job.
All the best.