457 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Ill try and sort something out with the rubbers on the mirror. if not, then it's a manufacturing defect so i will have to take it up with either Minispares or the manufacturer and see what they suggest.

 

Regarding the steering wheel, 10" is quite a popular size but personally i find them a bit too small. I think 12" or 13" is about the right size for a Mini.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Ben_O]

Today was slow starting as i was asked to help with collecting and delivering customers cars and then there was a rear axle and interior to go back in a Fiesta after having some welding work done for the MOT.

 

First thing with the Mini was to get the screen fitted. I started yesterday and noticed that the rubber seemed as if it was too big for the car. It wasn't a nice tight fit and kept falling off of the lip at the top.

 

Eventually after much swearing and sweating, i managed to get the screen in. It just wouldn't have it and fought me all the way.

 

 

And then the locking strip which put up as much fuss

 

 

All in all, it took 2 hours! The last few i have done have taken between 20 and 30 mins.

 

Oh well, it's done now.

 

I have also made a start on the polishing.

 

I started with the roof. First it was flatted down with 2000 wet

 

 

And then machine polished. here it is halfway through

 

 

And then the completed job

 

 

 

 

Well i say completed job, there is still quite a way to go before i am happy with it so more flatting and polishing will be needed on the roof still but it's a good start.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[JDImini]

Looks like a great finish on the roof

[Ben_O]

Looks like a great finish on the roof

It's getting there Darren.

 

So will the Midget be coming along tomorrow?

[CharlieNZ]

Dear God, you're not happy with that finish? If I could achieve a finish half as good as that I would consider it a triumph! Magnificent work.

 

I need a new windscreen but I've been putting it off because it sounds such a crap job. You've convinced me that I'm just going to pay someone else to do it.

[Midas Mk1]

Looking great! I actually like the look of the 30 wheel with the rest of the body, adds abit of colour contrast, and sort of gives a nod back to what the car is! 

[Mini Manannán]

Dear God, you're not happy with that finish? If I could achieve a finish half as good as that I would consider it a triumph! Magnificent work.

 

I need a new windscreen but I've been putting it off because it sounds such a crap job. You've convinced me that I'm just going to pay someone else to do it.

 

My thoughts exactly!.  There must be something Ben can see in real life that the photo doesn't show.

[Ben_O]

Cheers for the comments. I just want to do the best i can in the time i have.

 

Time for an update.

 

If i'm going to fit the rear number plate, then i guess i'm going to need a number plate light. As the original one is not going back and the mounting holes have been removed, we needed to find something discreet that would serve it's purpose.

 

the most straightforward solution was to use LED's

 

 

That does the trick quite nicely.

The wires run within the mounting bolts into the bootlid

 

 

I tidied it the wiring by running it into the frame through some small grommets

 

 

And done

 

 

Then the new hub turned up so i pressed in the bearings and fitted the ball joints and then bolted it on

 

 

Then Jack and Darren turned up in Darren's Midget for a quote so we stood and chatted about the Mini for a while. it was nice to see you both again.

 

Just after they left, a box turned up with some more goodies.

 

Among them was the brake reduction valve so i can now finish the brakes.

 

So now we have the servo fitted

 

 

And finally we have a bumper that is good enough

 

 

I also now have a new indicator for the N/S but didn't get round to fitting it today.

 

Engine bay is more or less complete apart from an engine steady and the air box i believe

 

 

I think ill get the brakes bled and the engine running on Monday so i can run it outside for some outdoor photos.

 

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[alchall]

I like those number plate lights, where did you find those?

 

Have you got a picture of the full car from the rear to see how it looks without the large original unit in place?

 

Looking fantastic by the way!!

[Ben_O]

I like those number plate lights, where did you find those?

 

Have you got a picture of the full car from the rear to see how it looks without the large original unit in place?

 

Looking fantastic by the way!!

I got the lights on a popular auction site. 

 

Ill get a picture from the back on Monday to show how it looks.

 

Thanks for the compliments.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[JDImini]

 

Dear God, you're not happy with that finish? If I could achieve a finish half as good as that I would consider it a triumph! Magnificent work.

 

I need a new windscreen but I've been putting it off because it sounds such a crap job. You've convinced me that I'm just going to pay someone else to do it.

 

My thoughts exactly!.  There must be something Ben can see in real life that the photo doesn't show.

 

Hi CharlieNZ and Mini Manannán the roof looks fantastic like a black mirror and is so smooth to touch. Jack and I really couldn't see anything wrong with the paint work, but Ben is a perfectionist. 

[JDImini]

 

I like those number plate lights, where did you find those?

 

Have you got a picture of the full car from the rear to see how it looks without the large original unit in place?

 

Looking fantastic by the way!!

I got the lights on a popular auction site. 

 

Ill get a picture from the back on Monday to show how it looks.

 

Thanks for the compliments.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

 

 

here are a couple photos 

 

 rear body number plate lights 4.jpg   69.87K   20 downloads

 body from rear 4.jpg   65.77K   24 downloads

Edited by JDImini, 15 October 2016 - 08:37 PM.

[clovus]

Looks absolutely superb!

[Chris1992]

This looks fantastic! Brilliant work mate. Strange that the windscreen put up so much of a fight! Did you fit the rubber to the glass or the car first?

 

I've just tackled mine, and despite the warnings on Minispares, I fitted the rubber to the glass first and then used the string method. Managed to fit both the front and rear screens in under an hour!

[Ben_O]

This looks fantastic! Brilliant work mate. Strange that the windscreen put up so much of a fight! Did you fit the rubber to the glass or the car first?

 

I've just tackled mine, and despite the warnings on Minispares, I fitted the rubber to the glass first and then used the string method. Managed to fit both the front and rear screens in under an hour!

cheers Chris.

 

The rear screen fitted in less than 20 mins putting the rubber on the car first and easing the glass in.

 

I tried the front one the same way as i always do and it just wouldn't go in no matter what. I tried soaking the rubber in hot water, i tried car shampoo thinned down slightly with water and liberally applied and the screen just wouldn't go. The rubber kept falling off at the top and if i managed to get the bottom and one side in, it would pop out as soon as i tried the other.

 

It was then suggested i try the string method and even though i protested, we tried it and that was even worse.

 

In the end, i just left it until the next day and just persevered and it went in.

 

As i said, the last few i have done took 20 mins using the same rubber from the same supplier.....

 

Oh well, done now