Whilst the bodytub is at the paintshop I've turned my attention to a number of smaller tasks. (actually quite a long list!)
First up is to repair the radiator cowl......
The radiator cowl had been damaged at some point before I purchased the kit. I think it had been rolled into a wall which had cracked the grills central bar. I first dug out the grill retaining bar and then Araldite'd the cracked GRP back together. This was just to hold it aligned.
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
The kit is supplied with what is called a grill retaining bar. It had been bonded into the radiator cowl but the resin had deteriorated so much that I could remove it by hand with an old chisel. Moisture had been absorbed by the bonding resin so the bar was quite rusty. After a good clean up, it was coated with rust converter to neutralise any rust left..
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
The grill retaining bar is a pretty rough bit of steel wire with threaded studs welded on.
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
The grill retaining bar was then given a coat of black paint. I've been trying out this Rust-Oleum hard hat paint which covers well and drys in 15 mins.
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
I then cut two lengths of woven glass tape. This has very high tensile strength and was chosen to strengthen the central bar.
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
I then embedded the glass tape and steel bar in resin. You can't see the tape after it is wetted but it is there!
Radiator Cowl repair by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
I just need to pour some more resin to cover both ends of the bar. It should now be a lot stronger than before.
I had a call from the paintshop yesterday to say that the body tub had been baked, sanded and primed so I popped down to take some photo's. Not very exciting photos but really pleased with the progress so far....
Painting by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
Painting by
Sabrebuilder, on Flickr
Next up on the list is to modify the fuel tank sensor.....
....peter