160 replies to this topic

[Stu.]

The weathers turning so started back on Felix. Molly will be finished in Spring next year.

 

Did some surgery on the windscreen bottom corner and a closing piece for the top of the inner wing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's as far as I've got for now.

Edited by Stu., 14 September 2015 - 08:41 PM.

[Stu.]

I've not updated for a while but I've not got a huge amount done really.
I finished the closing section to the top of the inner wing.

 

 

 

I then moved onto the bulkhead to finish the small patch repairs and to get it ready for paint. I'd lost a captive thread for the throttle pedal so had to install and weld in a new one.

 

 

Next I fabricated a new inner wing to crossmember stiffener. Oddly the passenger side one was already spot welded to the heritage inner wing but the drives side did not have one so I had to make my own.

 

 

I also had to undertake repairs to the dash shelf and bottom rail because it had corroded away from a long term leak.

 

 

 

 

I also made up some crpet sound proofing tags to replace the ones that'd broken off.

 

 

and plug welded them in place.

 

 

Once I'd got the bulkhead repairs completed, I preped the panels inside and out, treated the surface corrosion with phosphoric acid and applied 2 coats of Electrox.

 

 

 

I also gave the inside of the croaamember 2 coats of Electrox and a thick coat of Epoxy Mastic over the top. THe sam was also applied to the rear of the stiffener plate I need to weld in.

 

 

 

I think I'll weld the stiffener plate to the inner wing first then plug weld the whole panel to the crossmember flanges as it'll be easier to do this way.

I've also painted some scrap metal which was heavilly corroded with Electrox and one section with Electrox and epoxy mastic. I've put these in the garden in the elements and will be spraying regularly with salt water over winter to see how the performance of the paints hold up. All the samples have just had a quick wire brush, no rust prep or treatment and no degreasing before applying the paint.

 

 

I've done quite a lot of research into the best paint application for my situation restoring a mini in my garage and topcoating with Cellulose and am confident that as long as I properly clean, key an prep the surface to take the paints I've chosen they should provie good long term protection, so if the same paints I've just slapped on the samples prevent any corrosion then I'll be most impressed.

Edited by Stu., 17 November 2015 - 04:27 PM.

[ger]

Hi Stu, just caught up on this thread and I'd be interested on your compressor setup that you are using as I'll be having a go at painting my GT next year.

 

Ger

[Stu.]

Hi Ger. Do you want the products, manufacturers and capacities from tank to gun(s) or just a general list?

I should point out that my set up is working great for epoxy primers and celly top coats , but dont know what they'd be like on other paint systems.

[ger]

Yer If you could give me a specific list would be great as I'm thinking the same as you.

 

Ger

[Stu.]

I'll post back a bit later on once I've had a chance to make a list then Ger.

[ger]

Cheers

[Stu.]

Ok Ger, my set up is as follows -

 

Compressor - Wolf Air Dakota. 3HP. 100 litre. 14CFM. (Should be able to run it on a normal household supply).

 

Airline - Standard 10mm bore. 10 metre length.

 

In-line Water Trap and Pressure Regulator - Standard ones are fine.

 

 

Guns.

 

For Epoxy Primers - Duren Tools. Standard gun. 1.8mm. HVLP.

For Topcoats - Fast Mover FMT3006. 1.4mm. LVLP.

For Touch Up or Spot / Detail Work - Any Mini Gun. 0.8mm. HVLP.

 

The guns I use are not costly but I'm happy with the finish. However bea in mind Celly needs flatting back and polishing anyway, but I do get pretty good results straight from the gun.

 

Hope that helps

[Steve220]

Stu,

 

Not sure why i've never had a look at this thread in the past, its totally slipped my observation! Great work, chap! Nice to see another member of the forum who's got the balls to get stuck in with metal work and teach folks like me its not so scary after all.

[ger]

Thanks Stu the info is much appreciated.

 

Ger

[gadget555]

Looking good so far.

[Stu.]

Thanks for the comments guys :)

[Stu.]

Small update guys  

I got the other inner wing welded on and zinc primed. I decided to weld the stiffener to the wing first and then weld it all onto the car. It worked better that way I think.

 

 

I also zinc primed and epoxy masticed the rear face of the stiffener where it butts onto the cavity of the crossmember as I won't be able to get to it once the wing's on.

 

 

Plug welded in.

 

 

 

So I now have both new inner wings completed   

 

 

Then I moved onto welding in a new floor pan to the passenger side.

 

Front plug welded in and perimeter tack welded.

 

 

Butt welding completed both sides and ground down.

 

 

 

The line of the flutes is good and straight from the original floor so I'm very happy with it    

 

 

Once I'd treated the surface corrosion, keyed and panel wiped  the panels I brushed on 2 coats of Electrox zinc primer.

 

This is as far as I've got for now. Next I'll be replacing the drives side floor pan and then should be fitting up the front panel, outer wings and A panels with a view to completing everything forward of the crossmember. Once thats all done I'll be looking to replace the inner and outer sills and door steps. I'm hoping to use MMachines complete sill sections with the floor to the first flute.

 

Thanks for looking in and if you want to please leave a message so I know you've visited. Ta

[jpw1275]

Quality work mate :0)

Cheers james

[Rocket.]

Looking good !