723 replies to this topic

[panelbeaterpeter]

Nice lil project! Keep it up

[stevede]

Thanks for the comment Peter.


Just a very quick update.

Remember on the last post I said I had a development on the colour?

Well, I originally wanted orange with a black roof but there seems to be quite a few about at the moment (nothing wrong with that) so I started looking for alternatives.

I looked through the original mini colours and saw the Surf Blue and although listed for very late cars saw it was also available in the late 60's. And, given that I have gone back to 10's with some group 2 arches I thought this may be a good option.

So whilst I was at my friendly paint shop I asked him to mix me some up and as I was off work, I had a play about.


Here's just a glimpse.......







That was the dream.



Here's the reality....




Still, it gives me an idea of what is hopefully in store a little way down the line. Quite a bit if work to do before I get the finished coat on though.

That's all for this one

Catch you all soon

Regards

Steve

[yeti21586]

what colour is that????

[minimininut]

Hi Steve,

Loving keeping track of your project and really liking the surf blue, very classy! Look forward to more! I know it's a little way away yet but I reckon you are gonna have to do a 'Dad Steve's mini' project once Zoe's is done!!

[stevede]

what colour is that????

Hi Yeti

It's Surf Blue. According to the codes on the TMF paint list (if I have understood correctly) the 69 is different to the 1990's but the paint man seems to think the colour is the same.

This one is the 1990's BVLC1239

Cheers Steve

Edit: Spelling

Edited by stevede, 28 September 2009 - 06:19 PM.

[stevede]

Hi Steve,

Loving keeping track of your project and really liking the surf blue, very classy! Look forward to more! I know it's a little way away yet but I reckon you are gonna have to do a 'Dad Steve's mini' project once Zoe's is done!!

Thanks Minimininut.

If I ever get to that stage it would have to be a Dad Steve's Pickup!

Cheers

Steve

[JordanRaisbeck]

Hey, my mate has a mk1 in surf blue! its gorgeous! ive been followin this project up mate, really good job done! i love the total body underseal goodluck with completion!

Jordan.

[mighty mini jack]

The surf blue is a wise choice, looks brilliant.

[stevede]

Well chaps, time for another update.

Thanks for the comments on the colour, the more I see of it the more I like it.

For this episode it's the doors. I thought I was on to a winner with them at one point but the further I went on, the more problems I ran in to.

Managed to re skin them fairly easily and getting the fit was fairly straightforward as well.





But once the front end went on the variance in the gaps around the doors really showed up.



It doesn't look too bad in the picture but close up it was not good.

I remembered an article I had read in a practical classics magazine a while back and whilst some may regard it as a "bodge", if it's good enough for PC & a full on restored Jag MK11, well.....

So, after measuring the gap on my car at 4mm I set to work



Measure the gap around the door edge (I used a drill bit as a gauge) and mark where it is too wide. Then take a welding filler rod and tack it into place around the outside edge.





Re fit the door and double check / mark.



Some of the gaps I had meant I had to use 2 thicknesses of rod in small sections

Then fully weld all round



Be careful here as I overcooked one which warped the skin at the bottom!

Grind flush on the outer skin and re fit again to test.



Then it's a matter of carefully grinding away at the edge bit by bit until you have trimmed the rod back to the desired gap. (Again, use a drill bit as a gauge)



Add some filler to dress the edges. And the bottom of the door in the case of my drivers side!!







And the (nearly) finished result doesn't look half bad.

A very light skim of filler behind and some seam sealer and you'd have to have a very keen eye to notice the "modification". (He hopes)!!!!!!!



Radius arm rebuild this weekend - Can't wait.

Thanks for looking

Cheers

Steve

[Shifty]

Nice attention to detail there Steve, looks really good.

Keep it coming

[Shifty]

One thing is worth mentioning....

Don't make the gaps too close, otherwise when you put the paint on the gaps close up and then scrape the paint off the door and a-panel everytime you open the door!!

(don't ask me how I know this!!)

[mighty mini jack]

Brilliant detailing there, looking forward to the next upsdate (mine need doing soon)!!

[stevede]

One thing is worth mentioning....

Don't make the gaps too close, otherwise when you put the paint on the gaps close up and then scrape the paint off the door and a-panel everytime you open the door!!

(don't ask me how I know this!!)

Cheers Shifty.

Spotted that one, after the event! 3.5mm is the minimum you can get away with.

[shellspeed]

They look fab and will probably keep out rain and wind, unlike mine

[venoms]

With the shell fully stripped the little car was sat waiting for the next stage



I wanted to be able to turn the car on its side to get at the underneath easier. I told my pal that I had seen a "spit" kit for sale and that it looked good value.

He kindly suggested that he could make one at work for free so Sunday's job.


Some used steam pipe


Cut to size and welded to some angle iron


Bit more to make some legs


The nearly finished product


Testing it out.


Other daughters car looking on







If anyone wants more pictures or dimensions of the spit, let me know. It will be for sale once I have finished with it but that may be a while yet.

Please, i would like the demensions of the split.