304 replies to this topic

[jamesquintin]

ah ok cool. I've seen a few gaps here and there on various build threads and always wondered how they got closed up

 

​Cheers

JQ

[Ben_O]

ah ok cool. I've seen a few gaps here and there on various build threads and always wondered how they got closed up

 

​Cheers

JQ

Yeah, no worries.

Nothing on a Mini fits that great really so it's just a case of making a few changes as you go along to improve the quality.

I would rather have small gaps plugged up with weld than relying on sealer to do the job

[Ben_O]

The discussion about the gaps prompted me to check my own Mini.

 

I haven't welded mine yet. I must remember to...

 

[dyshipfakta]

Rightly or wrongly I'm yet to find out when I did mine with the same issue instead of fitting the closers I replaced the step part with a longer piece that goes to the quarter and welded it directly to the quarter so the little crescent piece in front of the wheel is only single skin. If that makes sense

[Ben_O]

Rightly or wrongly I'm yet to find out when I did mine with the same issue instead of fitting the closers I replaced the step part with a longer piece that goes to the quarter and welded it directly to the quarter so the little crescent piece in front of the wheel is only single skin. If that makes sense

I know what you mean

[Ben_O]

Bumper update time.

 

have been working on the Cooper this weekend in an effort to get it ready for its MOT tomorrow afternoon.

 

With the welding finished it was time to start the prep.

 

here are the completed Flitch repairs

 

 

 

 

And i finished up the grinding and dressing on the rear bulkhead to arch tub joins

 

 

 

 

And a scrape of filler here and there 

 

 

 

And then masked up for some primer

 

 

 

Obviously those were taken prior to wiping down and de-greasing 

 

And then once the primer had been applied and flatted, it was time to seal up and then some colour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And done..

 

 

Once the paint was cured, The sills, boot floor flitch bottoms and arch tubs were stonechipped

 

 

 

It looks very grey in the photos. I think they are over exposed because they are black in the flesh.

 

Then the new radius arms were painted and baked in the booth

 

 

And assembled onto the new subframe with new seals, trust washers and hardware

 

 

As well as that, new trunnions and bushings were fitted, billet handbrake quadrants and all new brake pipes and flexi hoses

 

 

 

Then the radius arms were secured to the frame with cable ties to stop them dropping, the anti drum pads were stuck onto the top of the frame and it was ready to fit.

 

i also applied plenty of wax into the box sections of the frame, in and around everywhere and on the top of the frame.

before the frame went in, i waxed the boot floor and heelboard.

 

And then the frame went in

 

 

 

Then the shocks were fitted, the wheel cylinders were hooked up with more new brake pipes and the shoes installed/

 

 

Then new bearings were fitted into new hubs and they were bolted on too

 

 

 

Then the handbrake cable was run and the drums fitted and we have back wheels!

 

 

Then working under the car, the brake pipe was connected and the fuel lines were run and connected with a new filter and bracket

 

 

Then i laid some new anti drum pad to the floor and ran the wiring loom

 

 

anti drum was laid the other side too and then once the SRS module was fitted and wired up, the carpet was re fitted. I also filled the crossmember with wax prior to laying the carpet

 

 

I then cleaned the inside of the sill trims and filled the channel with wax and then pushed them on

 

 

 

And that was it for the weekend.

 

Tomorrow, ill finish the interior, fit the boot out with the tank etc after fitting the rear sportspack arches then on with the bootlid, bumper and lamps.

 

Just before the end of play, i painted the rear valance again after the stonechip.

 

 

I like to apply stonechip after paint so you have the protection of the paint beneath instead of just primer like rover.

 

It should be ready in time.

 

Ben

[wingnut]

Great work again Ben

[carthorse]

That's a good weekends work - hope the customer appreciate's it and you get some overtime pay in time for crimbo!

[Ben_O]

That's a good weekends work - hope the customer appreciate's it and you get some overtime pay in time for crimbo!

No overtime sadly.

 

I'm actually doing it purely so it can be finished in time for Christmas.

 

we pack up Wednesday so if the Mini is collected Tuesday, ill have Wednesday off

[megamini_jb]

Fantastic work Ben. It looks super!

Can't wait to watch your progress on the other projects you have lined up

[Carlos W]

Looking superb mate

[jamesquintin]

why no final red coat...?

[Ben_O]

why no final red coat...?

On the sills?

 

If so, it's gone back to the scheme when it came in.

[markyB]

An epic weekends work ! Sir I applaud you

[minimissions]

Some nice fast work there those repairs look ace :)