Gladiators '90 MX5 NA6

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:47 am

Yeah but the weird thing is, there's plenty of access to the area from the boot.

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billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:05 pm

maybe it had a crease of some thought they were trying to pull out rather than bash it out

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:45 pm

I've been very time poor lately with my daughters wedding plans, & as such have not done much to the car. In two & a half weeks the wedding will be over & I can get some time back. But I had a bit of time today so I got the steering rack back in, so now when I push the car around on the dollies, the front wheels no longer have minds of their own.
I got a little bit more sanding done too, but now I'd like some opinions on how to deal with a small area at the bottom corners of the windscreen, where water has obviously been pooling (see pic below). I'm thinking of treating the surface rust, then building the area up with some of that liquid metal. I think it's called mollybond or something? That is what was there previously but had obviously been ineffective. Anyone have a better idea?

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:15 pm

I made some good progress the last two days. The engine bay is now pretty much prepared.

I pulled out the pedal boxes to inspect for cracks. I'm happy to say there were none. Just some surface rust which rust converter took care of. Rolly suggested reinforcing the throttle box while I have it out, as I'm unlikely to have this much ease of access again. Great idea, so I welded a piece of bar on to strengthen it. Before anyone says anything, I know my welding sucks big time, but it's not seen so who cares.

Before pic.

After

Then I went & painted them with red killrust, just because that's the only colour I had.

two40 · Postby **two40** » Sun Aug 06, 2017 11:30 am

Gladiator wrote:Five minutes after my last edit I made a decision. This has just become a bare metal respray.

It was always going to be a full restoration. You just didn't know it when you turned that first spanner. That's how these things start. You poke here and there and while you're doing this you might as well do that and oh look over here...

Following with interest. You're doing a top job so far. :beer:

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Aug 06, 2017 2:41 pm

a bare metal respray is no small undertaking. It will require the right timing and the right processes on a metal surface that has been prepared properly. Also need to choose the right type of paint - i.e. what to use for priming / base coat and then what top coat. Billy uses acrylic on the top but thats only a part of the operation. Good restorers use the very minimum of filler.

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:25 am

two40 wrote:
Gladiator wrote:Five minutes after my last edit I made a decision. This has just become a bare metal respray.

It was always going to be a full restoration. You just didn't know it when you turned that first spanner. That's how these things start. You poke here and there and while you're doing this you might as well do that and oh look over here...

Following with interest. You're doing a top job so far.

Cheers mate. You're 100% correct. That's exactly how it happened.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:31 am

Mr Morlock wrote:a bare metal respray is no small undertaking. It will require the right timing and the right processes on a metal surface that has been prepared properly. Also need to choose the right type of paint - i.e. what to use for priming / base coat and then what top coat. Billy uses acrylic on the top but thats only a part of the operation. Good restorers use the very minimum of filler.

Yeah, I do agree. I've already spoken to the pros at the paint shop. They're supplying me with the best products to suit my application/equipment/work area. Mind you, that was prior to the bare metal decision, so there will be more discussion before the final product choices are made.

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:35 pm

This could be the start of another 'Gina'

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:08 am

Magpie wrote:This could be the start of another 'Gina'

No way, I've seen this car on track! :mrgreen:

Your red car, now there's a garage queen :twisted:

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:24 am

That red car is not a garage queen it is an organ donor

Plus 'Gina' has been seen in the wild, however just like thylacinus cynocephalus recent sightings are believed to be rumors and not fact

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Sat Aug 12, 2017 2:37 pm

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

By the end of this weekend, the car will be ready for paint. I've only got the boot cavity, floor pan & parcel shelf left to rub back. I'll be buying paint next week, with the aim of having a coat of primer on before I go overseas in 3 weeks time.

I also may have made the worst decision of this resto too.

When it comes to electrics, I'm totally clueless, so it's a good bet I'll be calling for help to put them back in.

On a brighter note, John Pham gave me a brilliant tip to do with masking/wrapping for paint.......... ALFOIL!!

What a bloody great idea!!

Ok, time to get back to it.

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Aug 12, 2017 3:14 pm

I would not use aluminium foil because for a start it will not conform accurately to areas that will be painted. I would stick with proper masking paper and masking tape. You can buy special narrow plastic masking tapes for very fine work as well. Anyway its done now. I always buy proper masking paper ( different widths and easy to handle) which is clean and has straight edges and cheap in the scheme of things. Newspaper is dirty and hard to tear/ cut etc. The prep is the long job- rub back and then often need for guide coats and possible stop putty or spray putty etc etc.

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Sat Aug 12, 2017 3:51 pm

The alfoil is only as a central filler around things like fuel lines that I'm not pulling off. Of course I'll be using tape & plastic at the paint/no paint junction points.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:21 pm

I decided that before rubbing back the inside, I should give it a good degrease & a scrub. It's probably the only time I'll ever gernie the interior.
My only concern now is to get my wife's toothbrush back before she gets home.

I did find a few disturbing things though. This crack in the drivers seat mount. Nothing my mate the boilermaker can't fix.

It looks like some rust under this sealant in the boot too. I'll have to investigate further.

Can someone tell me if that sealant is just Sikaflex? Or something special?

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