297 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

What you are actually doing there is splitting the bootfloor from the rear panel by the looks of it.
There are 3 skins there, Valance - boot floor - back panel

No worries though, you can just continue on but drill all the way through the spot welds until your drill pops out the other side, that way you will split all 3 panels

Cheers
Ben

Wow, glad I asked. Thanks for the advise. I'll do that over the weekend and post results.
Would you have removed it differently?

Thanks

Ben

if I was replacing literally just the valance then I would drill the spot welds through just one skin from underneath. That way the floor and back panel flanges remain intact and untouched.
However I would be very surprised if the floor and back panel don't need attention or replacement anyway so carry on as you are until you know. At least drilling from above, you can plug weld through your drilled holes onto the valance flange when you weld it on.
As above, ask as many questions as you need to. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Cheers
Ben

Edited by Ben_O, 10 January 2020 - 05:47 PM.

[Ben Rose]

ahh the fun starts!! wishing you the best of luck with the body work!

I did the same by just drilling all the spot welds and just ran down the seam with a big flat blade unpicking the panel sandwich one part at a time. Just take your time and you will be fine.

ask as many questions as you want. No judgement will be passed no matter what you ask! we all had to start somewhere!


harry

Cheers Harry. I'm sure I'll have many more and appreciate the support.

[Ben Rose]

I got a spot weld chisel the other day for when I get going might be worth getting one looks like it would be useful for the job

I'll look into that. Big flat screwdriver doing an OK job at the moment.

[Ben Rose]

What you are actually doing there is splitting the bootfloor from the rear panel by the looks of it.
There are 3 skins there, Valance - boot floor - back panel

No worries though, you can just continue on but drill all the way through the spot welds until your drill pops out the other side, that way you will split all 3 panels

Cheers
Ben

Wow, glad I asked. Thanks for the advise. I'll do that over the weekend and post results.
Would you have removed it differently?

Thanks

Ben

if I was replacing literally just the valance then I would drill the spot welds through just one skin from underneath. That way the floor and back panel flanges remain intact and untouched.
However I would be very surprised if the floor and back panel don't need attention or replacement anyway so carry on as you are until you know. At least drilling from above, you can plug weld through your drilled holes onto the valance flange when you weld it on.
As above, ask as many questions as you need to. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Cheers
Ben

I was going to drill through from underneath too.damn. Laziness / eagerness got me there.

The back panel and boot floor do actually look OK. I guess I'll know more soon.

Again cheers for the advice Ben. I'll take on board what you've said.

[elliot341]

Any more updates matey?

[cooperd70]

Any more updates matey?

I'm pretty sure Ben is up to his eyeballs in it. to be honest I never understand how folk photo document their rebuilds so well...don't get me wrong its great for others that show an interest and when putting a car back together of course, but I just get so in the moment I'll forget to take notes/photo of a critical step and ruin it.

Hope it's going well for you though Ben and keep up the good work!!!

[GT Jimmy]

My logic in starting at the back/underside was by the time I got to the front my welding would be better by the time I got to the front where most people look.

Good luck with the build mate

[Ben Rose]

Hi All,

I hang my head in shame and am full of guilt for my lack of updates and progress in January!  I promise to do better in February and make more progress this month!       

@elliot341 , @cooperd70. @GT Jimmy - Thank you for the support and asking for updates. The community input is something I really value and appreciate!  Gives me a kick up the bum to crack on too.

Honestly though, apologies for there being no update in a while. I wont go into excuses but finding time to spend in the garage has been difficult hence the lack of updates.

I have to admit that I have found it really difficult to grind, hammer and cut my mini. Its not come natural to me at all but hopefully the more I do it the easier it becomes.
I made my life difficult removing the rear valance because I started doing it wrong as mentioned previously. I am finding it tough splitting the panels and I feel I am damaging the rear panel seam and boot floor seam.
Hopefully when I get the new rear valance and closing panels clamped on things will straighten out. A good hammer and block of wood will help too I'm sure.

This is where I am up to with the valance. Not a lot has changed but I'm back on it now with a vengeance!
 




I have also got myself sorted with some primer, seam sealer, rust removal and PPE too!  I intend on having a drive to minisport this month to pickup some heritage panels too.  I was hoping I might have got some at Bingley Hall but this didnt happen either.



I picked up a cheap tool box to try and organise my work bench a bit better. I found a guy selling a 9 drawer top box for £40. It is a cheap tool box but fine for what I needed.
It was covered in over spray, marker pen and general dirt so I cleaned it all up and it looks almost new. I'm really happy with it.

See photo album here if you're interested:- https://www.flickr.c...157712998422338

 

I did also go to Bingley Hall to take a look at a few Mini's I've been following online and also to pickup some panels and other bits.  I didnt come away with anything in the end but the experiance was brilliant and it definately gave me the push to try and get the mini finished ASAP.  I cant wait to attend these types of events in our mini.

 

See photo album here if you're interested:- https://www.flickr.c...157712998407108

 

So for now thats it I'm afraid but I do promise to have more very soon. 

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Ben, add a hammer and dolly to your tool collection if you don't have them already  they are what you need to straighten out the bumper seam at the back.

they will also be needed throughout the body restoration so worth having.

[Ben Rose]

Ben, add a hammer and dolly to your tool collection if you don't have them already they are what you need to straighten out the bumper seam at the back.
they will also be needed throughout the body restoration so worth having.

I'll make sure to pickup a set. Cheers as always Ben.

[cooperd70]

Don't beat yourself up about the little progress...force yourself to do something that you've yet to think about and you'll make a bodge of it, lots of -ive things then happen and before you know it it's left in bits in the ahead for god only knows how many years. Do things methodically, slowly and as best you can and most of all enjoy the experience. There will always be ups and downs along the way, but you've got all of us on here for moral support ??

Keep at it...I know you weren't looking forward to the cutting up and welding xxxzz but as you've decided starting at the back and moving fwd your technique will get better. Keep up the good work ???

[Ben Rose]

So no major update, just some photo's of me working on the rear valance.  The boot floor and wheel arch has had some patches applied previously so I am going to take off all the paint in these sections to see what I am working with.  A good friend is giving me some of his time next Tuesday to run through a crash course in welding ready for the next stage. 
I also purchased a Hammer and Dolly set as per Ben_O's recommendation for flattening the seems.  I've also been given a 25 Litre Compressor and picked up an air finger sander to start me off.

 

If anyone see's anything in the images below that I should be worried about please comment!

 

Centre part of rear valance removed.
 

 

 

Underside of boot floor looks mainly OK to me.  I think I will clean it up though.

 

Started to clean up the rear seem to see if I should really be replacing the boot floor.

 

Rear valance closing panels are totally rusted through.  Do I need to take any measurements or can I grind off and use new panels to line everything up?  I dont intend on removing the rear quater.

 

Underside of boot floor patch which is very close to the rear subframe mount.  I think this needs to be completely cut out and replaced.  Should this be enough to warrant a new floor?

 

This is the patch I am worried about.  Its rusted through underneath and the rear subframe bolt is pulling through the panel too.  EEEK!   

 

There also seems to be a patch at the very top of the rear arch.  Seems solid though so may just leave this.

 

More shots of the patch to the boot floor and closing panels which are the worst bits.

 

Quick tidy up ready for another evening of fun.  I am only getting an hour at a time at the moment but I figured each little step I do gets me one step closer.

 

Thanks as always for your support.   
 

[sonscar]

Depends on what you are trying to achieve;If you have time money and skills a new floor will look good.If you are happy to repair I would cut out the rusted areas as close to good metal one area at a time and butt weld replacements in.With care this can be very good.You seem to have a lot of good metal to start with.Work methodically and before you know it the rust will all be gone.Good luck,Steve..

[rich_959]

Looking good Ben, and don't fret about the rate of progress - any progress is good progress!!

 

Someone with much greater bodywork experience will be along shortly, but I tend to agree with sonscar. If you're not looking for a concourse winner, you certainly have enough solid material to do localised repairs by the looks of it. Keep up the good work! Buying tools is quite addictive isn't it, once you start. 

[Ben_O]

I'll go the other way and say replace the floor as you are this deep into it.

repairing is fine and certainly achievable but having repaired floors and replaced floors myself, replacement is quicker, easier and a much neater finish that won't give you any surprises down the line.

Also it comes down to if you want to spend £270 on a new panel or spend £25 on materials to mend what you have?

Replacing might seem scary but it's not too bad and there is plenty of guides/ info/ help here on the forum.

 

Cheers

Ben