141 replies to this topic

[dave21478]

Got the shell tipped over again and primed the floor over the stone-chip coating....



Once dry, I gave it 2 coats of topcoat...



This is the first time I have seen the colour aside from a sample on the lid of the tin and im pretty pleased with it.

[GraemeC]

I would be fitting the battery cable, fuel and brake lines whilst it is in that position
Maybe even the subframes if you can mask them off when the rest is painted.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

Battery cable isnt difficult to run hahah
took me 20 mins today to swap mine over and that was with just the front end up

[dave21478]

Thanks for all the encouragement so far.

Today has been spent messing with a red aerosol for a guide coat, sanding blocks and wet n dry paper. No photos simply because its so damn tedious.
Im waiting for hopefully the last bit of filler to dry before I rub it down on the front panel, then thats it done. Hopefully.
This evening, I will blow the dust out of the interior and get at least one coat of green all over the inside. If I get that finished tonight, then tomorrow I can mask off the openings, and give the outside a final clean then a few decent coats of primer. If all goes to plan, it should be painted by thursday or friday.

[analogue_radio]

Nice work Dave

[dave21478]

Interior and engine bay are now done, although I will need to pass a quick second coat tomorrow as I have missed a few spots.

[dave21478]

Well, I got the topcoat done last night. 3 coats of paint has given A nice thick coverage.







If I'm honest, the finish isnt as good as I had hoped - its a bit orange-peely and there are a few flaws - a drip from the gun on one side panel and quite a few its of dirt have stuck to it.
Should come good with an overall flatting with fine wet n dry and polishing it back to a shine though.
I need to get it shifted out of the garage though as I don't want to wet flat it in there.

Still got the doors and bonnet to do too.

Edited by dave21478, 30 April 2009 - 10:03 AM.

[Down&Out]

Nice seeing you've painted that a retro colour . Looking forward to seeing it all done .

[dave21478]

Not much to show of late - the dayjob is taking up my time, sadly.

I have ordered a machine polisher to sort out the paint job. Thing is....im now 100% not happy with the quality of finish I have got. It all looked fine in the wee workshop, but the limited space meant it was hard to get a clear look at the panel prepwork. Now its back at the farm and in the open, quite a few flaws have become visible.....Dunno what to do. I will flat and polish it anyway and see how it looks, but if I am still not happy, I think I will re-do both sides of the van. I should have plenty paint left after doing the doors and bonnet.

Speaking of which, I am slowly plugging my way through the prep and sanding on the doors whenever I have the time.

I have also started on the mechanicals that will go back onto it. I have already cleaned up and painted the subframes - today I stripped the rear trailing arms from the donor cars subframe and stripped them down - need to order 2 new wheel cylinders and 4 wheel studs. I will give them a clean and paint tomorrow. Before ordering the parts, I want to have a look at the front calipers to see if they need anything as well.

[dave21478]

Today was spent getting filthy.
Took apart the old mechanical parts from the donor car, wire brushed them, degreased them, a rinse with the karcher, then painted them. All chassis and suspension stuff got a few coats of chassis black, the calipers, drums and discs got painted red. Everyone knows red calipers give an extra 5bhp.



I then attacked the engine. Never thought to take a before pic, but it was minging. Years of baked-on oil and crud had turned it black. A whole bottle of fairy liquid and a good brushing, then a squirt of degreaser, then another brushing, then a blast with the Karcher again brought it up as clean as its going to get. Good enough, I think....yeah, I would ilke to have a perfectly clean, shiny engine, but frankly, I don't have the time or inclination to clean this one further, then paint it etc.



Tomorrow is a treasure-hunt. I need to go into town to find some 4mm (or larger, don't suppose it would matter) id pipe to use as a fuel line. The donor cars is in good enough condition, but is too short for a van. I also need a few other bits n bobs for the C15 fleet. I can hear my wallet complaining already.

[Retro_10s]

looking good - the fan's on backwards by the way

[dave21478]

Well spotted! I havent touched it so its probably been like that foryears in the donor car.

Todays efforts...
Got the rear subframe on and completely finished apart from the wheel cylinders, which are gassed. Need to order a new pair, and 4 wheel studs for one side as they were quite badly rusted.

looking good....

All new nylon bushes for the subframe, new flexi hoses for the brakes, hi-los and new suspension knuckles. The arms were given a good clean up before painting. The mountings are in good enough condition so I reused them and gave it plenty of fresh grease.
I had confidence that I had welded the shell straight, but it was a relief none-the-less when the subframe went on without too much fuss!
I also ran the new fuel line and the front - rear brake line, mounted the steering rack and made a start to assembling the front subframe.
Putting it back together is a serious mojo restoration tonic. Yeah, the paint is sketchy, but it is back on course for being finished in time for summer.

Oh, and speaking of sketchy paint, I ordered a bad-ass polishing machine from ebay germany, which arrived today so decently smooth paint should only be a few hours work away!

[dave21478]

Meh, got foundations to dig for work, so mini progress has slowed again.

I have managed to get the front subframe fitted and assembled....

Again, all new nylon bushes, hilos, new knuckles and flexi hoses.


I shoved the wheels and arches on to get an idea of how it will look....


No, the wheels wont be staying red. Will probably do the centres body coloured.

[RetroRay]

That looks mint so far ... would never have thought to put a set of revos on a van !