578 replies to this topic

[MikeRotherham]

The GT in daylight looks utterly fantastic.

 

I've always loved the 1275GT since my brother had one in Reynard metallic which was lovely coloured paint but never seemed very well applied or something and needed lots of respraying under warranty. Still was a great car mind.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 08 April 2020 - 05:14 PM.

[floormanager]

Good grief, a complete front end replacement?

Impressed as always Ben. 

 

All the best,

Paul

[Ben_O]

Hi all!

I hope everyone is ok and staying safe during these difficult times.

 

Been working on the Neon this week and now have it painted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's tidied it up no end.

 

Cheers

Ben

[KTS]

very nice !

[cooperd70]

very nice !

As always!! ????

[Ben_O]

 

 

 

 

I shall flat and polish it tomorrow and then it can start going back together.

 

Cheers

Ben

[kit352]

Fantastic job ben. I cant wait to see it put back together.

[Ben_O]

As the paint is already nicely hardened, I made a start on the polishing.

 

Its a simple process of dry sanding with 1500, 2000 and then 3000 discs in an orbital sander which gives this

 

 

And then a pass over with the rotary polisher and some cutting compound gives this

 

 

I also attached the first of the arch trims. They are good second hand ones to replace the old ones which had those awful chrome covers fitted over the top.

 

I've not paid too much attention to this colour in the past but it's really rather nice.

 

JQV Nordic blue for anyone interested

 

Cheers

Ben

[kit352]

It was the colour of the car that made me buy it. Not too flashy and understated. I can see that I need to find a powder coater now and make the rims a shade different too.

[Ben_O]

Unless you are set on powdercoating, I can paint the wheels for you?

 

Cheers

Ben

[floormanager]

Hi Ben,  how long does does it take to flat and polish a mini?  seems weird to me to sand a freshly painted car!

All the best

Paul

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben,  how long does does it take to flat and polish a mini?  seems weird to me to sand a freshly painted car!

All the best

Paul

Hi Paul.

that wing took me about 10-15 mins to flat and polish. With the sanding discs I now use, the process is much faster and the 3000grit finishing disk almost starts to polish the paint before you go near it with the machine which then makes the machine polishing super quick and easy.

As for sanding new paint, it's to further even out the finish and remove any imperfections and dirt and the best time to do it is asap after it's painted.

 

Cheers

Ben

[kit352]

Unless you are set on powdercoating, I can paint the wheels for you?

Cheers
Ben

Thanks for the offer but I want to strip and powder coat them this time.

[Ben_O]

I have finished the polishing now.

 

 

And so started building the front end up starting with a new windscreen and seal

 

 

And then on with the lamps, grille and bumper

 

 

Cheers

Ben

[JXC Mini GT]

Great work Ben, the finish looks spot on, the owner must be very pleased with the transformation.