160 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Time to get the outside ready for paint now.

 

First step is to sand the primer.

I sprayed a light coat of black paint over the primer to act as a guide coat. This will allow me to keep easy track on the level and show up any imperfections 

 

 

Roof first

 

 

And then I worked my way around the rest of the car flatting one panel at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

And then once finished, I removed the paper masling and cleaned it down.

 

 

 

 

 

I think tomorrow will probably be fitted fitted arch trims which need holes drilling and riv nuts installing and then I'll paint the roof and prep the doors.

 

Cheers

Ben 

[Ben_O]

I painted the roof today

 

 

 

There was more progress but I'm short on time to upload this evening so will do so tomorrow.

 

Cheers

Ben

[Ben_O]

Here is the rest of yesterday's progress.

 

I did the last of the sealing up

 

 

 

 

And then set to work on the arches. I believe they are ST style group 2's

 

 

You have to cut the arch where it fits over the body seam which i had done in that picture

 

Then I got some m4 pan/washer head machine screws and riv nuts.

 

 

I used some suitable sized washers to lay into the recesses for the screw holes so i could replicate the position of the screw head and get a centre mark to drill and used spray paint to mark the positions

 

 

And then drilled them.

I had some issues with most of the arches where the reinforcing around the screw hole locations hadn't been cast properly so once I began drilling they blew due to air bubbles in the fibreglass so that had to be repaired.

 

But once they were, I could start fitting them to the car.

Just a simple case of offer them up and then mark the positions of the screw holes, drill and then install the riv nuts.

 

 

 

 

There will be a rubber seal between the arches and body when they are fitted after paint.

 

Cheers

Ben 

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeRotherham]

I like the way these arches are attached to the body and the idea of the rubber seal between.

 

Easy to remove when checking behind for dirt or rust.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 11 June 2021 - 09:43 AM.

[Ben_O]

And that's the colour on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then unmasked

 

 

Cheers

Ben 

[Viktor]

Beautiful!

[colinf1]

Look at that shine.. amazing finish straight out of the gun!

What timeframe would be between last coat and unmasking?

[sonscar]

I try to unmask while the paint is not fully dry to prevent it pulling off,be nice to know if this is needed,Steve..

[Ben_O]

Look at that shine.. amazing finish straight out of the gun!

What timeframe would be between last coat and unmasking?

 

 

I try to unmask while the paint is not fully dry to prevent it pulling off,be nice to know if this is needed,Steve..

 

I removed the masking about 20 minutes after applying the last coat of clear. In the conditions of the booth, the paint is dry enough to lightly run a hand over but still soft enough to mark it with any pressure so I have to be very careful.

 

I mask the car in such a way that I can simply push in gently on the masking film and it comes easily away.

 

As Steve has said, it's best to remove masking as soon as possible. I never leave a car masked overnight  after painting and definately like to damask whilst the booth is still hot as not only is it more difficult to remove if left, you risk damaging the paint edges when you peel the tape away.

 

This is especially a problem when using soft edge foam as if you leave it too long after the paint is cured, it will leave behind a hard crispy line of foam all along the edge ot the paint which is disastrous.

 

As a general rule of thumb, keep checking your paint after you are finished by pressing a finger lightly onto the overspray on the masking directly next to the last bit you painted. If it feels sticky or easily leaves a finger print, leave it a bit longer.

Always remove carefully and don't take any risks. You do need your wits about you. Once I removed the film masking sheet on a job adjacent to the panel I painted and I wasn't paying enough attention and it billowed back on itself and stuck to the fresh paint. If that happens, you are in for a world of pain as not only can you not save the paint, the film is a nightmare to remove before you can flat back and start again.

 

I think I started to waffle a bit there!

Thanks for the compliments on the finish.

 

Cheers

Ben 

[wingnut]

As always Ben,a great job.No wonder you've always got plenty of work on

[Mr Brum]

Great work Ben, looking lovely as always!  Are you fully rebuilding this one or returning as a rolling shell?

[slyrmini]

Mega! Paint job looks lovely.

Best bit next, building it back up and putting all the shiny bits on.

[surfblue]

Looking lovely, very similar to the 'Racing Green' edition. My mate had one but he was a bit of a crash test dummy, his was rebuilt and repainted several times, remember seeing it being painted on one occasion standing outside the spray booth. Great skill involved. Do you do all the work yourself or have you employees?

Edited by surfblue, 12 June 2021 - 09:09 AM.

[Ben_O]

As always Ben,a great job.No wonder you've always got plenty of work on

Thanks, it is pretty busy at the moment. 

 

Great work Ben, looking lovely as always!  Are you fully rebuilding this one or returning as a rolling shell?

Thanks.

I won't be rebuilding this one, I shall refit the steering rack, column and sibframes and then it will be going back to the owner for fit out.

 

Mega! Paint job looks lovely.

Best bit next, building it back up and putting all the shiny bits on.

Cheers. 

Hopefully we will see the ongoing progress by it's owner once he has it back.

 

Looking lovely, very similar to the 'Racing Green' edition. My mate had one but he was a bit of a crash test dummy, his was rebuilt and repainted several times, remember seeing it being painted on one occasion standing outside the spray booth. Great skill involved. Do you do all the work yourself or have you employees?

It does look similar to racing green but is a fairly unusual shade. I think it's a great colour, especially with the OEW roof.

I don't have anybody working with me currently so I do every one of my restorations from start to finish by myself.

I have tried out people in the past but have had no luck finding someone reliable.

I am I'm the process of adding onto the workshop by knocking through into a neighbouring unit to create a fit up bay and double panel work bay.

Once that is complete, I will be looking again for someone to come and join me.

 

Cheers

Ben 

[Sam76]

Now that’s a job I would jump out of bed every morning to go to!!
I’d even move house lol