723 replies to this topic

[stevede]

Top work as usual, really does put me to shame!

Hope to see this car in the flesh one day, i love it!

Thanks for the kind words Jack but I'm not sure about me putting you to shame. Mine's just getting a T-cut & polish compared to what you're doing to yours!

[JordanRaisbeck]

just read from the begining!! WOW!!!! an amazing project! i wouldnt worry toto much about scuttle gap, in the end if ur not happy, ive seen a few that have had the gap smoothed. Doesnt look too bad. Good luck with the finished product!!

Jordan

[jaydee]

Just before I start, remember the old front end?



I know I posted it on a seperate topic but in case you missed it.

Oh -i've missed that before!
I'd love a mini front end BBQ, nice idea!

[stevede]

Hi Guys & welcome to the next installment.

After getting the wheels trial fitted at the front I needed to trim the front of the wings to gain extra clearance.

I figured I needed about 25mm at the front most point so I downloaded & printed the guides from Minispares at first to give me an idea of the profile.





In the end, the best method seemed to be to use the actual arch as a template to get the correct profile to cut.



Maked out for "tabs" at about 20mm gaps



Cut up to the line with a cutting disc and then bent the "tabs" out and dressed them so that they had a nice sharp bend on them.



Then welded up the gaps all round



Before marking the return and trimming back to the original size



Repeat on the other side and some cleaning up with the grinder and power file





Then the best bit was to actually trial fit the arches! Getting one side on was easier than I had imagined, but to get the other side to match exactly was a pig. Still, got there in the end.















I put them on to try with self tappers but have since found some M4 domed head socket screws which I will use for the final fit.


That's all for this one. I have actually managed to get some paint on the underside of the shell at last. Will update with that soon.

Thanks for dropping by

Regards

Steve

[Shifty]

Hey Steve, that looking gap, nice work with the gaps as well.

(told ya a crowbar fixes everything!!)

At this rate you'll be finished well before me!!

[arjay]

What a great little arch modifying installment!!! Definately the best ive seen.

I reckon you should make it into a 'How to' article... it would come in so handy!!

Something i wish i had 48hrs ago, before i just did the exact same. the only problem i ran into that you may want to mention if u make an article, is to not cut the lip to size before welding like i had done. it made the mig welding a b@#$h with the metal getting too hot and burning out.

[stevede]

Hey Steve, that looking gap, nice work with the gaps as well.

(told ya a crowbar fixes everything!!)

At this rate you'll be finished well before me!!

Thanks Shifty, it's amazing what me and Mr Isopon can do when we put our minds to it.

Finished, did someone say finished? I was told mini's are never finished!!

[stevede]

What a great little arch modifying installment!!! Definately the best ive seen.

I reckon you should make it into a 'How to' article... it would come in so handy!!

Something i wish i had 48hrs ago, before i just did the exact same. the only problem i ran into that you may want to mention if u make an article, is to not cut the lip to size before welding like i had done. it made the mig welding a b@#$h with the metal getting too hot and burning out.

Thanks Arjay. I know what you mean about being too late. I have done a couple of bits where after the event I have found an article that would have life much easier!

[rosco454]

This is going to be painted before long,will you be able to hand the keys over at the end of it?

[stevede]

This is going to be painted before long,will you be able to hand the keys over at the end of it?

Now there's a question!!!!

[rosco454]

I can see one almighty sulk on the horizon,just cant work out if it will be the daughter or you!

[shellspeed]

Looking sweet fella, love the arch mods - first class job!

J

[stevede]

Hi and welcome to the next instalment of Zoe's my mini rebuild.

I said last time that I had managed to put some paint on the underside. After cleaning and treating the last few remaining rust spots I went over the whole underside with some Rusteater 2 pack paint.







Whilst it's nice to have some nice fresh paint when you look at it in the photo's, it doesn't look that much different than before I started to clean it up!

Once dry, went over all the areas with some brush on seam sealer and then masked up all the holes ready for the next stage.









Then the weather looked good so I booked a few days off work and went to see my friendly paint supplier. Got fixed up with some stone chip & a gun and whilst the neighbours were out at work........







Masked up the subframe mounts and fitted them on so I could be sure of getting a level fix when finally fitted.







I asked on here for an idea on how many tubs I would need. Most estimated 3, maybe 4. I used 8!! Probably put it on much thicker than needed and there was the odd bit of "interesting" welding to cover up.

The difference in the look is amazing and it finally feels as though i'm getting somewhere. I know lots of work has been done but the application of some paint in a uniform colour brings it all together.

Oh, and on the subject of paint and colour, there's been a bit of a development there as well.

Keep watching and i'll update again soon.

Regards

Steve

[rosco454]

Looking good,how did you find the stonechip to work with?

[stevede]

Looking good,how did you find the stonechip to work with?

Hi Ross

The stonechip went on really easily. I did it outside on a warm day. The biggest problem I had was my compressor is very small and I kept having to wait until the pressure built back up before I could carry on.