289 replies to this topic

[daryl_crossley]

hi there its looking good now u should be nearly finished soon (chuckled inside)

got mine back on the road now and running well its changed quite a bit since you last saw it..

GOOD LUCK with the rest of the project and may see you at a show very soon..going to lincoln big mini day on the 20th and then looking for some more

[dekz2uk]

Hey peepz - 1st off thanx "cowboy" for the pointers, the shell was a '93 Tahiti, so wiring shouldn't be too much of a prob. I'll line up tow hook, jockey wheel etc. once I've painted trailer, refurbished the inside and removed it from "da shack". You're right about the bolts of course, a lot of welding has gone into this "little project", I don't want it falling apart on me.

I'm trying to keep my nose within 75 - 85kg tolerance "Mini Dan Man" by putting a fair bit of weight in boot area - battery, tinted blue glass back window, metal boot lid (not using my f/glass one now!!) etc.

Hi Daryl - thanx for "the thanx" - hope to see you soon mate.

Anyways back to "the biz" - been busy bee today, covered nearly 300miles collecting goodies below - whoopee more bitz to play with



Getting dark now, so tomorrow, its on with burnt, holey, smelly, oily clothes and leaping into action - me.

Almost forgot - BIG thank you to Dave @ TDK racing - terrific guy, thanx for all your help.

Edited by dekz2uk, 05 April 2008 - 07:18 PM.

[dekz2uk]

'Lo peepz - Been tidying up front end (footwell box thingy) - put on final Black hammercoat, see picky.




Filling holes in flipperfront ready for plazzy priming - been removing paint from shell (what a larf!!!) - will the paint come off? Only when it wants to!!!

Drastic measures called for - going the chemical route - "I'm gonna make you strip!!!!!!"

[dekz2uk]

Haven't had chance to do too much to trailer as wifey ill - pulled ligeementz in back, so very painful. Me do shopping (Argh!!! ), washing, tidying up, meals etc.

Anyhowz did manage to finish off underside of flipper with primer & topcoats - even if its not flipping, it still needs protecting.



Also lined up f/glass doors - they're so wikid.





Had a go at paint removing off the "new" roof - chemical method is pants!! Tried using "dont use this as hairdryer folkz" paint stripper blower thingy - it didn't even bubble surface of paint, just softened it a bit.

Used UBER paint remover - poly carbide abrasive disc - AWESOME!!!! It takes off paint without damaging metal, doesn't clog up or heat up. Amazing thing is it's not solid like grinding disc but gives a little bit when you push hard on it. Just ordered some more discs (off fleabay) as you've got to watch for sharp corners - wears it down pretty quickly if not careful.



Enough for today, got the ironing to do - life's a B176h sometimes init.

[dekz2uk]

Been filling more holes & tings today - father came over today with sick mini. Gave it a tune-up, now runs & sounds a lot better.

He brought over some goodies for me including - see picky!



Its a 100kg spring balance scales - just what I need to measure the tow-hook weight.


Trying to decide what hinges to use on doors as I really want doors to either open wider or possibly gull-wing wise - need to get better access inside for display panels (screen for BH2NRetro).

Will report back soon.

[miniboo]

just use a piano hinge on the front sloping part of the window on the door. that way it will be like a gull wing but with the biggest access.

[Danny_California]

Fantastic project, loving it so far! As for the doors, I agree with the above, put hinges on the front of the door infront of the window onto the a-pillar, that will look fantastic. Just have to get some gas struts to hold it up there. Maybe some of minispares's bonnet struts, or some toyota mr2 bonnet struts.

[dekz2uk]

Great idea "Miniboo & Danny California" will give it a try nearer time when I've painted doors & shell - I like the way you're thinking.

[dekz2uk]

Just got in from work and postie has been today & left me these beauties.



Now I can take off old paint in style and without damaging the metalwork underneath.

Booked off 1 weeks holiday, middle of may, to slap some paint on the trailer - we're on our way.

[daryl_crossley]

hi there again matey just looking at discs u bought if you need anything else like that cheap try www.toolstation.com i use them all the time and havnt found anywhere yet to beat them....

if delivery is too much pm me and i can pick items up for you and get them sent from work (FREE POSTAGE) LOL

have fun with the project...gotta go do my car now ready for sundays show

speak soon

[ninham]

Great Project

Cant wait to see it finished

[dekz2uk]

Hi all - back for more continuing adventures of "The Reincarnated Mini Shell" or "Old Minis Never Die - they just get a face-lift!."

Been busy all day on other bitz but after using some old clapped out, too weak, diddy piano hinges and finding that in theory 'We're on to something here!!!' I've ordered some decent piano hingeeez off fleebay. 38mm open x 375mm long - da bizness




Also been puzzling over how to replace roof with new uber smooth, no dinkz jobbie.
Figured it out - Angle grinder at the ready, cutting disc steady and off we go . Cut all the way round directly under guttering so retaining strength and shapes for door frames/windows. On replacement carefully cut few mill below guttering and 'Ay Vwullar' (that's french for Blimey it worked!). Fire up the welding kit, chain mail gauntlets on (been playing too much Assassins Creed folks!), face mask cut out bright light so dont end up blind, in position and try not to set fire to anything - me included.

Tomorrow morning is "C" day and pixies will be posted - watch this space.

ps Thanx for the offer Daryl - I'll bear that in mind mate.

Edited by dekz2uk, 19 April 2008 - 08:39 PM.

[Bungle]

Tomorrow morning is "C" day and pixies will be posted - watch this space.

do you mean the TMF pixies ?

[dekz2uk]

No Bungle - apparently the TMF pixies are appearing elsewhere today.

So there I was munching me sugar puffs this morning, going over in my mind how I'm going to cut "the roofs", when I thought about any possible 'if only or what ifs!'

A light bulb appeared above my head - daughter had turned the light on silly! - anyways it gave me inspiration.

Wouldn't it be easier to remove paint from "new" roof while its mobile instead of climbing all over the car & possibly making a poo of it - YES! So I loaded pollycarbo disc into angle grinch and gave it some!!


GOING


GOING


GONE


Der Vunderwheel worked, 1st picky after 12mins, 2nd picky 1/2hour and 3rd picky 3/4hour - yeah!

Hands feel like they're still vibrating @ xxxx rpm so I'll take a break - have some quality time with wiffy and I'll be back. ONly joOkIng peepz, this is a family forum after all. Off to lunch.

[dezshearer]

Quality Time + Vibrating hands?

Nice work!