879 replies to this topic

[Wilqaeda]

You sir, are nuts! want to do my shell ?

[jagman.2003]

You sir, are nuts! want to do my shell ?

Well I can't argue with the nuts bit. I'll have a go at doing another shell but the cost of my labour time might be a little steep..! lol.

[jagman.2003]

this is the level of restoration that im trying to master, the attention to detail is the most important thing, and this project has bags of it, i suppose it helps using complete new panels throughout, if it were patched and bits let in here and there, it would weigh a ton with all the weld and filler in it! lol the satisfaction though must be overwhelming knowing you did all the work yourself! keep it up!

Yes, new panels has the benefit that I know it's all good metal. Very few of the rusty panels were worth salvaging or in some cases even there. By the time I came down to the last couple of ok-ish panels I thought what the hell & replaced them anyway. The disadvantages I found with replacing whole panels is maintaining the structure & straightness. Patching usually just treats only specific areas. One thing I've learnt for me is to stick to heritage panels on critical areas. It's nice to know that I've done all the work (bar making the tea). I was never in any doubt I wouldn't find anyone daft enough to do it for me. lol.

[jagman.2003]

Looking very good , It's amazing what you can achieve with skill and determination ,well done

Thanks, it's been fun. Just the last hurdles now!

[jagman.2003]

WOW....just.....WOW. Fair play mate, great work and dedication. Like many others, I noticed the first few pics and was expecting to skip to this page to find a new BMH shell, so was shocked when I started reading!

Thanks, I originally wanted a heritage shell & it would have made things alot alot quicker. But I couldn't justify the cost. As it is ignoring my time it costs about half. So when I take it for the first drive & the front subframe separates itself from the rest of the car & drives away. I can sit back & say...I did that.

[myredmini]

WOW....just.....WOW. Fair play mate, great work and dedication. Like many others, I noticed the first few pics and was expecting to skip to this page to find a new BMH shell, so was shocked when I started reading!

Thanks, I originally wanted a heritage shell & it would have made things alot alot quicker. But I couldn't justify the cost. As it is ignoring my time it costs about half. So when I take it for the first drive & the front subframe separates itself from the rest of the car & drives away. I can sit back & say...I did that.

Brilliant!

[jagman.2003]

Ok, final top coats done on the shell. I'll be painting the doors, bonnet & boot soon. There wasn't enough room in my temporary spray booth to do it all in one go. But I've still got paint left. I'm pretty happy with the finish of the shell. Practice has improved my painting skills & understanding on how to use the spray gun. Some of the lessons I learnt were. You can't get it clean enough. It can always have another wipe with a fresh cloth. Patience, do a bit & bugger off for a short while. Any runs/sags came from painting the edges then trying to do the panel straight away. Get plenty of light on the job. Putting white on white it was very hard to see what was wet or too much paint. I kept adding more lamps to see what I was doing. And not to rush it. Tempting as it was to have it painted in a day I was glad I took my time & planned it. Also get a decent mask. I didn't float out of the workshop this time. It was sooo tempting to get someone else to paint it but I'm very happy I've done it myself.
So I'm trying to leave the shell alone to let the paint harden a bit now. I've sealed up the plastic bubble & will be working on subframes & suspension for a week or two. A couple of pictures that look just like the others probably but the finish is alot shinnier..! Honest.

[myredmini]

Looks great jag.man. Well done. I'm painting my mini soon OEW with a jet black roof. Really inspiring thread. Keep it up!

Dan

[jagman.2003]

Looks great jag.man. Well done. I'm painting my mini soon OEW with a jet black roof. Really inspiring thread. Keep it up!

Dan

Will look forward to seeing that. Mines Glacier White, 70's colour & possibly the original. It's still an off white similar to OEW.

[Zeemax Adventure]

Very impressive, Good work

[Badchilli]

Nice paint work

[087dave]

Great work jagman is this your first time painting a car only asking because i would like to try it myself
in my garage

[DaveJH]

Wow, this is just incredible. Can't wait to see it finished. What a transformation!

[jagman.2003]

Very impressive, Good work

Thank, much appreciated.

[jagman.2003]

Great work jagman is this your first time painting a car only asking because i would like to try it myself
in my garage

This is the second car I've resprayed myself, so not an expert by any means. But I've had some good advice from a friend. I did the other car in a larger garage, but used the same idea of sheeting off an area to keep down dust & dirt movement. The compressor was kept out of that area as well as they stir up the air. It can be done in a garage as long as you have enough room to move around & enough light to see what your doing. Sheeting is quite cheap & reuseable. Compressors & spraying kit can add up but second hand is alot cheaper if you shop around.