670 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Looks like a job well done. Little details make all the difference. 

Certainly does!

 

In my opinion, if you complete a restoration and anything on the car looks old, dirty or used then it's not been done right.

 

Something i'm sure won't occur on this build.

 

Looks really good.

 

Ben

[big-jay]

Looks like a job well done. Little details make all the difference.

Thanks buddy, it was well worth the effort !

Certainly does!
 
In my opinion, if you complete a restoration and anything on the car looks old, dirty or used then it's not been done right.
 
Something i'm sure won't occur on this build.
 
Looks really good.
 
Ben

Thanks Ben,

I completely agree, if you're doing a full restoration these things have to be done in my opinion. It's also great to know that it's been rebuilt and should last me a good few years with out issue (I hope) !

[big-jay]

Update,

I've almost finished off rebuilding the servo unit, I've installed the plunger mechanism and cleaned up and re-fitted the vacuum pipe.

Here's a couple of pictures -





Just got to replace the roll pin that holds the reservoir to the master cylinder with a new one, and that's that finished and ready to be bolted back to the Mini !

I also purchased some MK3 thick frame opening rear quarter windows recently, I received them today, here's a picture -



Obviously the sticker will be coming off, and I'll polish up the frames and also have them tinted along with the rest of my glass. They feel a lot better quality than the later type thin frame ones.

[grahama]

Made a great job of that!!

[big-jay]

Made a great job of that!!

Cheers graham !

[bluemini17]

Fantastic write up! I just stumbled across your thread and read the hole thing! I'm about 3 weeks behind you, just getting my shell ready for paint. I will keep an eye out for more updates

 

David

[big-jay]

Fantastic write up! I just stumbled across your thread and read the hole thing! I'm about 3 weeks behind you, just getting my shell ready for paint. I will keep an eye out for more updates
 
David

Thanks mate,

Will you be doing all the prep work and painting yourself ?

[bluemini17]

 

Fantastic write up! I just stumbled across your thread and read the hole thing! I'm about 3 weeks behind you, just getting my shell ready for paint. I will keep an eye out for more updates
 
David

Thanks mate,

Will you be doing all the prep work and painting yourself ?

 

Yes mate, Im going to give it a bash, this will be my second time painting a car so hopefully it will go to plan

[big-jay]

Fantastic write up! I just stumbled across your thread and read the hole thing! I'm about 3 weeks behind you, just getting my shell ready for paint. I will keep an eye out for more updates
 
David

Thanks mate,
Will you be doing all the prep work and painting yourself ?

Yes mate, Im going to give it a bash, this will be my second time painting a car so hopefully it will go to plan

Fair play mate, good luck with it !

[big-jay]

Update,

We have received some pictures of progress from the body shop today, the underside has now been stone chipped, and has also received the top coat of paint.

Here's a few pictures -





Not the greatest pictures, I'll get some better ones when we go down there tomorrow.

It's so nice to see our hard work paying off, it really does look fantastic !

I also went down to Minispares today to pick up a few bits. I got the adjustable camber kit, which includes the bottom arms, tie rod arms, rear camber brackets and the correct rubber bushes. It's a really smart bit of kit -



Picked up a brake master cylinder rebuild kit, the gasket to go with it and a new clutch push rod arm for the slave cylinder -



And finally I got some burr walnut door capping's, just the door furniture to get now -

Edited by big-jay, 20 September 2014 - 10:51 AM.

[Jared Mk3]

Can't wait to see this in full colour! Your effort really does show.

[big-jay]

Can't wait to see this in full colour! Your effort really does show.

Thanks Jared,

I can't wait either !

[big-jay]

Update,

Another BIG milestone has been reached today, the Mini is now wearing her shiny new coat !

We got down there for around 2pm and ended up staying until gone 6pm watching them paint her. I've never seen a car being painted before so found it very interesting, there's definitly a knack to it !

Anyway, here she is up on the frame in the booth having the last few bits done before final paint -



They used an air gun to remove all the dust from in and around the Mini, and then wiped the whole car over with panel wipe. Next they mixed up the paint and put a coat over the joins where the seam strips go on, like so -





Seam strips being clipped into place -





Then he started spraying on the first coat -









He finished the first coat and then left it to flash off for 10 minutes, then he let me in the booth to take a few pictures -







Inside -



Then he applied the second coat, here's the finished product -







It's came out soo well, the paint is like glass ! Just the roof to do (which is going to be black) and the other panels and she will be finished.

All the months of graft, grinding, welding, headaches, blood and many many swear words have definitley payed off, it's so nice to finally see her in colour. It hasn't quite hit me yet, and I i don't think it will until she's home !

Edited by big-jay, 20 September 2014 - 11:20 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Wow! Looks absolutely fantastic.

[59 Speed]

Looks fantastic!

It's also good to see a company putting the seam strips on after a coat of paint, no nasty surprises in 6 months.