1146 replies to this topic

[hughJ]

Thank you Deathrow, Carlos and minimuk. Yes its going to be all that green. I'm getting to love it!! I go out and lift the cover off just to have a wee look! Anne does not like it - a bit too green - but its me that will be driving it. (but I bet she'll try and get her hands on my wee car once its all done up). My family have been a bit derisive of my Mini from the word go. In the last couple of weeks of its running life my middle son refused to be dropped off at school in it! It did look bad though! But I think they will be wanting it once its done.

A few more wee bits -

Tackled the steering rack - cleaned and rust treated. Released the track rod ends and fitted new bellows. They are masked!





I need to get it on fairly early in the rebuild. I'm targeting getting the subframes rebuilt and the Mini back on its wheels by the end of the Christmas holiday! That's the plan.

And a wee scoosh of silver engine paint on these parts



That's the old fuel line they are hanging from supported by Anne's red wool! Keeping it moving and painting along

Hugh

[CLM]

That's one bright green! You shouldn't need any lights at night to see your car, I like it

Chris

[minimuk]

defenately the only one in the UK, defo see you comin!!!

[grahama]

Great work Hugh. Painting all the little bits does make you feel as if you are getting close to putting it all back together. Loved doing this myself, very rewarding but lots of bits to go !!

Graham

[hughJ]

Chris, minimuk and Graham thank you. Yes, it's pretty shocking green. Anne is now a bit more vocal - she hates it. But I've put a little more on!

It's been a bad week up here weatherwise. Frost and snow most of the week. A violent storm on Thursday where we had no power from 8.00pm till 2.00pm on Friday! So its not been a Mini week. Here's my place this morning!







I've been looking with jealousy at the temperatures you gents further south are getting!

I've done a little

My steering rack



Another coat of green paint on the front



And the first on the main underside - I used Rustoleum rattle cans for this





Greener than green. I have a heater on in the garage at present to try and help the paint go off - it's still pretty cold but they think a wee bit milder tomorrow 6°C.

The subframe arrived but I'm not allowed to open it till Christmas! So its up in the attic. But I think I'm still on target to have it back on wheels by the end of the holiday.

Creeping along

Hugh

[Brams96]

Hey Hugh,
What type of rust-oleum have you used? I have been looking at using the Combi-colour range for the underside of my rebuild but in the brush on rather than spray. Can you tell me your opinion of it please?

[BusheyTrader]

You won't lose a Mini that bright in the snow.......

[hughJ]

Hello Brahms96 - it is Combicolor that I've used. I'm no expert in paint!! It is good and thick. It brushes on well. It runs well!! I looked for advice on alternatives to spraying on the net. This roller painting seemed to be advised. There are plenty Youtube videos about it. And there are a lot of articles on the net about $50 paint jobs. One guy reviewed it over 5 years and seems pretty happy. I will roll on the main paint come the Spring. I may use the rattle-cans - I'm very impressed by them - they put on a good coat. The only problem is the time it takes to dry. It is slow. Deathrow suggests lots of thinned coats but for underneath I'm too impatient.

BusheyTrader yes, I may need to wear the welding helmet to drive it!

Hugh

[minifcd]

Looks good Hugh, a very bright shade of green! Its quite strange looking at your photos and seeing a good covering of snow. I'm in lincolnshire and we haven't seen a single flake yet! Completely different to this time last year when we had the worst snow we had seen for some time and the coldest temperatures I can ever remember. Looks like you live in a nice scenic part of the world there. Keep up the good work.

[grahama]

Looking green Hugh, er I mean great !!

coming along nicely, still not got my front end on as we have had about two weeks of heavy rain but no snow yet. Are you still painting parts ready for the refit?? What are your engine plans?

Graham

[CLM]

You are cracking right along there, just watch out no frogs try and adopt it! I keep thinking of Kermit when I look at your more recent pics hehe. I am just envious of your progress.. Maybe green with envy.. uh. Lol Maybe someday these bikes will sell and I can get some panels in and have better progress pics D:

Chris

[hughJ]

Hi Scott, Graham and Chris - thanks for keeping me going. The temperature is up, the snow is away, and I've done a little. I am stripping the front subframe and it has not been easy. The hubnuts especially. The right one was a pig the left, well! Here is how I'm doing it.



I had one son holding the subframe down and my other son and me heaving on that breaker bar - no go.

So went back at it tonight with the blowlamp and yes!! Its come off.



But I'd better not gloat yet. I've had to give up tonight. The lower suspension arm bush is seized in the pin. The bottom swivel joint is stuck so I've given up. I've got the callipers stripped and the pistons out so that's a good thing.

I've put another coat of green Rustoleum underneath. And I'm rebuilding the radius arms.



And don't these look nice - ready for my Xmas present - the rear subframe!



Well have a smashing Christmas all of you. I hope to get the rear subframe on next week. I said, I hope.

Inching along

Hugh

[Carlos W]

Good effort mate!

Can't beat a bit of heat!

Merry Christmas!

[grahama]

Hi Hugh,

there's been a couple of threads on hub nuts recently, all having a right old time getting them off !! I ended up taking the grinder to mine as now need some new ones !! Can't get out to do much on mine so inside painting and cleaning like yourself. All brings the warmer weather though !!

Have a good Christmas and great New year pal.

Graham

[sonikk4]

Hugh that is a proper green, very bright but looks good. Have a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.