getting there at last

[paul.twyman]

Hi all.

just a quick update on where I am with the (not rolling) project.

this weekends weather was just what I needed to get the front end of my 76 Stag painted. Without the luxury of a double garage that car has been under covers on the drive for a few months while I rebuilt the engine (RV8) and BW box. I have replaced the panel at the front of the bonnet and the panel below the head lights. The old ones wee removed and new ones welded in. This was a test of my new welding skills. This has been followed by an outrigger replacement and a few small patches on the passengers side floor. The passenger sill was also repaired with a new piece seam welded in.

So with the good weather it was time to finish the front end bodywork and get the paint on. I filled and rubbed and filled and rubbed.........you get the picture I am sure. I had forgotten how much time was needed to get the surface to a level of smooth and flat. Then some primer was added and you guessed it more filling and rubbing. ( no this is not a kinky set of comments)

Finally on Sunday pm I got the new spray gun out and opened the tin of Topaz paint purchased from ebay for £20. It looked a good match so fired up the compressor. 3 coats later all looked absolutely wonderful. A flat and smooth finish the same colour as the rest of the car. Well almost as the rest of the car is 3 shades of topaz anyway. So I let it dry and at 10pm covered the car back over for the night as it was still up on blocks and stands.

Monday morning I was met with a horrible sight. The cover has messed with my beautiful finish. It was horrible. I had to flat the top panel off and respray it which was painful after what I had achieved. I was so sad.

Any way long story but here are some images of my paint job on my drive with a ebay bought paint and a cheap SEALEY paint gin running from a small hobby compressor. I am amazed at the finish and quality to be honest. I's great.

Cheers

Paul

IMAG0301.jpgIMAG0300.jpg

front end respray 3.jpgfront end respray 1.jpgfront end respray 2.jpg

[iani]

Well done, good job.

[paul.twyman]

Hi Ian,

thank you,

It is taking a lot longer than I had planned but the weather has not helped progress. take care.

Paul

[jleyton]

Well done Paul. I just wish I had your ability and nerve to paint my car myself !

Only one thing - don't forget that one of the two small metal tags on the bonnet closing panel should be unpainted

Cheers

Julian

[Rubce]

Hi

Sorry to hear of your problems with the cover sticking to the paint. What type of paint was it, 2k, cellulose or basecoat? Pleased to see you sorted it out in the end.

Regards

Bruce

[paul.twyman]

Hi all,

Julian, Yep, I had remembered and I need to check which one it should be that is unpainted. I believe it is the plate with a T in it. The one ending LD is painted. They both need to come off and be sorted.

Bruce, The paint I am putting on is 2K. I am amazed at how close the colour is to the original. The people at Nu-Agene are good it seems.

I have thought long about the paint finish and decided to just patch the old girl up for the next few years. As I finish parts of the body work I will blow it over and eventually perform a full respray. I would rather use it for a few months of summer than take it off the road for the 2 years it would take me to perform a full rebuild. If I took it off the road it would never get done. Its better to use it I think.

The car is back in the garage now and I can finish off the engine ancillaries and get her MOT'd soon.

take care all.