3 replies to this topic

[jackclancy]

Hi all. See pics of a mini I’ve just started working on. I’m a novice so have some questions! 

 

Once I’ve dealt with the remaining welding and removed all rust - should I be getting the shell sandblasted before I get it painted?

 

I also don’t really know what the grey paint that’s on the car is. Some sort of anti rust thing perhaps?

 

How much roughly would a full sand blast be? And then how much would the respray be after that roughly? If I was to sandblast it, I then use filler to deal with any imperfections after?

 

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

 

 

[stuart bowes]

opinions may vary but personally I don't feel like sandblasting is entirely necessary

 

especially considering you'll be cutting bits of that off anyway to replace - the inner wings are a bit of a patchwork for a start, the rear valence needs sorting out, which is slightly more awkward due to the fact it's been de-seamed, so probably at least a new rear half of the boot floor as well, or a whole floor if you want to get rid of that massive boxed section that someone's fitted for some reason.. the crossmember needs a bit of a attention maybe, etc

 

before long you'll have removed and replaced so many bits that you end up with a lot of new metal anyway

 

I would start by doing all the major repair/replacements, then as you go along panel by panel you can use an angle grinder with a wire brush to take things back to bare metal (https://www.screwfix...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds or similar) 

 

gradually work your way around and sooner or later you'll have it all done

 

that's my take on it anyway

Edited by stuart bowes, 17 January 2025 - 04:12 PM.

[DeadSquare]

Lots of the rusty places on a Mini are where the paint sprayer wasn't good at getting, and Sandblasting has as much difficulty getting into those places.

 

I have a friend who sandblasts.  Although he took a lot of time over one of my shells, I had hoped that the result would have been better.

 

Rust just loves freshly sandblaster steel.

[jackclancy]

opinions may vary but personally I don't feel like sandblasting is entirely necessary

 

especially considering you'll be cutting bits of that off anyway to replace - the inner wings are a bit of a patchwork for a start, the rear valence needs sorting out, which is slightly more awkward due to the fact it's been de-seamed, so probably at least a new rear half of the boot floor as well, or a whole floor if you want to get rid of that massive boxed section that someone's fitted for some reason.. the crossmember needs a bit of a attention maybe, etc

 

before long you'll have removed and replaced so many bits that you end up with a lot of new metal anyway

 

I would start by doing all the major repair/replacements, then as you go along panel by panel you can use an angle grinder with a wire brush to take things back to bare metal (https://www.screwfix...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds or similar) 

 

gradually work your way around and sooner or later you'll have it all done

 

that's my take on it anyway

Nice one thanks for the tips! I am going to replace the entire boot floor with carbon fibre so thinking I'll need to fit this too: https://www.bullmoti...41009/HMP441009