16 replies to this topic

[olly33]

I have done lots of work to it and at times the same work more than once,due to a crap paint job (should of known better).
I thought my car was at the stage of very minor prep work for topcoat,but turns out the roof still needs work and odd panels smoothed over better.

I have got to the point now where I'm fed up with it,and me personally cannot get the bodywork any better,but at the same time,I've not got workshop prices money to get it finished.
As it stands in primer is a bummer, as trying to avoid the rain in this country is another issue,so i have to estimate a nice dry day to get out in it.I under estimated the cost of a prep and respray,but I do not have the space and usage to try it myself.
I been working on it for 2 years now,a few hours a day,but feels like no progress when it's still primered,which is letting the rest of the car down,as most other parts etc have been restored or replaced.

Rant over,does everyone go through this phase on there mini projects??

[New game mini]

Although mine isn't a 'project' as such (although what minis aren't really!!) It can do my head in at times as there are thing as I want to do to it that I either can't afford or haven't the skill for yet. I always just tell myself that it's not a race and I have however long it takes to get it 'right'. Mine might be a tatty little git but I still love it really and it's still MY tatty little git . Who cares if it isn't perfect yet? It will be one day.

[jpw1275]

Hi..... I know where your coming from..... I've been doing mine now for what seems like eternity but doesn't look any different , but if your list of jobs is shrinking then your heading in the right direction...... Keep plugging away at it and don't set a time limit

Cheers james

[inim_repooc]

I have done lots of work to it and at times the same work more than once,due to a crap paint job (should of known better).
I thought my car was at the stage of very minor prep work for topcoat,but turns out the roof still needs work and odd panels smoothed over better.

I have got to the point now where I'm fed up with it,and me personally cannot get the bodywork any better,but at the same time,I've not got workshop prices money to get it finished.
As it stands in primer is a bummer, as trying to avoid the rain in this country is another issue,so i have to estimate a nice dry day to get out in it.I under estimated the cost of a prep and respray,but I do not have the space and usage to try it myself.
I been working on it for 2 years now,a few hours a day,but feels like no progress when it's still primered,which is letting the rest of the car down,as most other parts etc have been restored or replaced.

Rant over,does everyone go through this phase on there mini projects??

I went through that with mine! - I had issues getting the primer coats to adhere and stuff... and then with insurance I got to the point of almost selling it!    - but trust me, you get past it, you will get around your problems and the first time you drive it and find some corners you will wonder how you could ever have tired of the mad little car!    

Edited by inim_repooc, 06 September 2015 - 05:59 PM.

[Spider]

Yeah, they all seem to go through that phase, for me, probably a few weeks before paint. It just feels like you've spent a lifetime on them and nothing to show for it.

 

But, once some colour goes down, the smiles go up and they usually come together in a few weeks after that.

[olly33]

Time is a little against me,as I have an illness that gets progressively worse.At the moment I'm not to bad,just get exhausted quicker now.(never know what the next day brings)

I just want it painted, so it at least looks what I achieved to do,so I can go out and enjoy it while I can. Cheers for the encouragement.

[greenwheels]

Just paint it!! Sometimes absolute perfection is just not worth the trouble. If it looks good to you then get a topcoat on it and get out on the road and enjoy it. Think of paint as just something to stop rust. That last 5% of looks can be 95% of the effort, and few people will notice the difference.

[finch661]

at the same stage mate, started my unexpected rebuild a year ago and have spent the last few months trying to get the bodywork competed. Have given up a few times, but it isnt going anywhere. Would never sell it though

[lee84]

Stick with it pal, I went through the same with mine last winter as broke down as much as it was on the road! After a cracking summer though its all been worth it, you will regret it if you sell it trust me!

[Carlos W]

It's hard mate. 

 

I got my car in August 2010, I had no gear and no idea. 

 

In March 2011 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, had chemo, basically wiped out about 6 months of mini time.

 

I had to change jobs in 2012 meaning I had to work shifts, weekends etc so didn't have much time to work on the mini.

 

In 2014 we had our first child, she manages to take up all my time, money, energy, space etc. 

 

I wouldn't change her for the world, she's so cute, but my priorities have massively changed.

 

I've just made the decision to sell my motorbike to help fund the rest of the mini build.

[dyshipfakta]

Just paint it!! Sometimes absolute perfection is just not worth the trouble. If it looks good to you then get a topcoat on it and get out on the road and enjoy it. Think of paint as just something to stop rust. That last 5% of looks can be 95% of the effort, and few people will notice the difference.

Best advice ever. Who cares if it has afew runs or afew imperfections get it blown over with a colour you like and get it driven. You don't see it when your driving anyways.

[Rusty95]

Just paint it!! Sometimes absolute perfection is just not worth the trouble. If it looks good to you then get a topcoat on it and get out on the road and enjoy it. Think of paint as just something to stop rust. That last 5% of looks can be 95% of the effort, and few people will notice the difference.

 

Very true! You should look up Rustoleum paint, people are painting with this on with rollers and getting very good results. You can also get it colour matched to some (not all) paint codes here: www.tools-paint.com

 

There's more info and good reading here: http://rolledon.foru...com/f2-projects

 

Edited by Rusty95, 07 September 2015 - 03:33 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

The doing is the fun bit, they get boring when they are 'finished'. But for the moment, walk away and do something else for a while, build an engine or fiddle with the suspension. I always try to have a range of jobs to do so I can't get bored doing one thing all the time. I never thought the welding would finish this year but kept doing a bit of this and that in between. Remember it's supposed to be fun, if it's not, stop, walk away and come back later.

[olly33]

Yeah,the bodywork has been left now for sometime,but my roof is the main issue as the prat put a grinder to it to remove layers of paint quickly and left dents etc.
I have been refurbing some shocks I bought,lick of paint to them so hopefully fit them next few days.
I'm always doing something to it,and do enjoy the end results most of the time,and it's a massive improvement on when I purchased it.

Just wish I had more space and electric in my garage to have a crack at welding,for making odd bits up.

I also have a bike and I am thinking of selling it for similar reason.My girl also needs a car upgrade maybe, come mot time.
I will crack on,Cheers for the encouragement.

[New game mini]

Just by chance happened upon your build thread. Its looking great! A completely different car from when you first got it. Can see why you want to get it painted tho as that green colour looked awesome!! Good luck.