Fitting the number plate lamp and lock. Taking shape.
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170716_160853.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170716_185829.jpg |
Back to the bonnet, need to cut out the air scoop. First drill loads of holes ...
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170723_183957.jpg I used a mini hack saw to remove the rest ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170723_185134.jpg Then filed down and sanded the rest ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170723_201006.jpg Happy with the result so far ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170723_200959.jpg |
Next, the overriders. I purchased from Brasscraft. All the bits, including tube, bolts, for both front and back came to £252.
I had to make a mount for the front overriders to bolt to. These were fibre glassed in from inside the bonnet. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_104814.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_195151.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_195159.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_195223.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_203052.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_203126.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170724_203206.jpg |
Next fit the overriders to the rear. No need to make mounting plates. The bolts slide through the body and onto the rear BMW chasis.
I tried to demonstrate this in the diagram below. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/rear_overriders.jpg One on, one to go ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170727_194958.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170727_195007.jpg |
This is where I realised I made a 'newbie error'. The body was by no means prepped to an acceptable standard, so I had to remove all the lights and fittings.
I gave the body another rub down with 600 and then 1200 grit wet and dry. Then applied a layer of filler spray. Not sure if this is 'accepted practise', but I find it does help smooth out and remove those minor imperfections. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170729_182937.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170730_110119.jpg The body is now looking flatter ... if not a little too yellow for my liking. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170730_144153.jpg After another rub down with 600 / 1200 grit ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170730_154644.jpg I applied the grey primer, much easier on the eye ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170730_191433.jpg |
It is August 2017, 10 months since I started on the build (but 3 months of work).
I convince myself that as I have successfully got this far in the build, unassisted ... I can try my hand in spraying the top coat too. [Spoiler alert ... 2nd mistake looming] https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170729_100103.jpg I mask off the car (but nothing else in the garage!) in preparation for some colour ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170801_192304.jpg I thought it best to test my spraying skills first on the underside of the boot lid ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170805_120757.jpg To be fair, it looked OK to me. Good enough to continue. [Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but foresight is better!] |
I did toy with the idea of excluding my mistakes from the build thread (I am sure its only natural), and showing you the 'happy path'. However, I am purposely including them so that any other newbie may be able to learn from my mistakes.
Don't get me wrong, I am not proud of them. But, I have learnt from them. I now know my limits, and when to run ... when to walk. Anyway, back to the build ... |
I used a 50L 'hobby' compressor to spray the car <-- a big mistake :frusty:
From a distance (with squinty eyes) it doesn't look bad for a base coat ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_074559.jpg But on closer inspection, there are imperfections all over the body. This was because:
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_074625.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_074639.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_074659.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_074835.jpg |
Of course, I shouldn't have attempted spraying my car. I know that now. I guess I wanted to the do the whole build myself. Like I said, I know now where to stop, and pass it to a professional.
Anyway, I had to sand the whole car down again :mad2: https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_094326.jpg |
Still not prepared to throw the towel in, I swapped out my compressor for a 100L one, still questionably on the low side for spraying - but all that funds would allow.
I mask her off again, and try again ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_192436.jpg What I didn't appreciate, but swiftly learned, is how much space you need to spray a car. I am sure this sounds daft, but it was all new to me. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_192440.jpg I certainly could do with more space and a better 'dust free' environment. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_192449.jpg But the paint was flowing nicely with the new compressor, the finish looking better ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_192457.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170807_104054.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20170806_192436.jpg |
And that is how the car stayed for 21 months. I could provide lots of excuses .... work, life, chores, family ... but really, I just got distracted.
2018 came and went. Started to feel guilty around Spring 2019 and finally made my way back into the garage last month, May 2019. I took the masking off and drove her out of the garage to inspect my handy work nearly 2 years prior. I experienced a 'moment of chuffedness'. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...525_141638.jpg The paintwork is significantly improved from my first attempt. But, to be fair, its not perfect. And I want perfect. I decided (2 years too late) that I need to get her professionally sprayed. But the MoT has lapsed, and I want to be sure there's nought wrong with her, before investing in a spray job. |
I cleaned her up, and refit the lights and fittings, and take her for an MoT. I failed on corroded rear brake pipes. I had them replaced and it then passed.
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...13__01__01.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...526_172754.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...526_194854.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...526_194913.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...526_194939.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...526_194955.jpg |
Like the original AC Cobra, I wanted a chrome windscreen surround. I probably should have waited until after the spray job, but decided to do it anyway. The chrome wrap was purchased from ebay for about a tenner.
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_140731.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_151239.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_151303.jpg Also fitted the chrome roll bars behind the seats ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_151335.jpg In this last photo, you can just make out some paint fogging / orange peel on the rear drivers arch. There are a few patches like this. Evidently, I need more practise with the spray gun. But for now, the spray shop will deal with this. |
Continue tarting up the fittings. The wipers arms were black, I clean them up, sand them down, prime them and give them a few coats of silver.
https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_154035.jpg Refitted with the new chrome wiper blades of ebay, £20 a pair. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_155141.jpg |
|
The Kobra is taken for its MOT, fails on a rear brake pipe being corroded (common on these). I fix it, retest it, it passes!! Yay!! :surprised:
I drive it to the spray shop, have a chat, he laughs at my spray job. I decided against saying "Bob up the road sprayed it for me". It gets booked in for a couple of days time. I have chosen a similar colour to as it is now, but a little lighter, metallic blue with the 2 white stripes. I provided him with a few reference photos to use for the colour scheme. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/reference.jpg |
The bit i've been dreading. The louvre vents.
First I make a template ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_160841.jpg Using 30mm aluminium strip, B&Q @ £6, a vice and panel hammer, I make the vent surround ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_164223.jpg I then cut the louvres using the same 30mm strip ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_171258.jpg I tack them in (temporarily) with a hot glue gun and realise the louvres are too narrow ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_210625.jpg I loosely slot them into the vent hole to check their fit anyway. Not bad, but not good enough ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...601_210742.jpg Back down to B&Q, I purchase the 45mm alloy strip, cut and fit. Much better ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...602_165803.jpg Check how they look offered up to the car. Getting better ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...605_072120.jpg I replace the hot glue with araldite to fix the louvres permanently (hopefully). Then clean with wire wool, prime and spray with chrome paint ... https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...605_072205.jpg Not bad. But I am not happy about the inner joins. You can see a little glue (above). Will have to sort that. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...605_072210.jpg |
Today, Friday 07th June 2019, the car has now been in the spray shop for 2 days. I collect her next Friday.
Then, I will fit the MWS wire wheels and spinners. https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20160824_171512.jpg https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/20160824_171603.jpg |
I've enjoyed your 'Binge Watch' build thread approach. :cool:
I learnt a lot from reading about other people's mistakes. And I'm sure that others learnt a lot from my (many) mistakes. :rolleyes: However, I wouldn't beat yourself up for having a go at painting the car. I know my paint finish is rubbish, but it is my rubbish. :icon_wink: Hope all goes well for you in the professional paint shop. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Paul, thanks for feedback. I will keep trying with the spraying, but maybe start on my son's bike next time :)
I can't wait for the phone call saying "Your car is ready to collect". Seven days and counting. Once done, i'll update the build thread (in real time!). |
All times are GMT +0. The time now is 21:23. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright Madabout Kitcars 2022