|
In the Beginning |
Book References |
| Work | NZ$ | US$ (0.50) |
|---|---|---|
| Rustproofing | $400 | $200 |
| Heater Checked | $65 | $32.50 |
| Alloys Painted | $400 | $200 |
January
- Back from Holiday, now what?
January already. Got back from a trip over to the UK.
Didn't buy any bits for the stag as my supplier is about 7 hours drive.
also the baggage allowance meant that even if I bought stuff, I would
not have room to bring it back!
Pushed the car out and washed it down with clean water and a chamois
to get rid of the dust that had accumulated over the past 3 months. Let
it dry , rolled it back in the garage and put a car cover on it. Ahhh...
that feels better :-)
Next step is to rustproof the car.
February
Took two days to rustproof the car. Use some Wurth Cavity
Wax... well a lot actually, 13 litres! Spent the rest of the month
cleaning off the rustproofing overspray off all the paintwork, inside
and out. Even though we masked off all the holes for each panel we did,
the air always found a way out!
March
Started to clean up and refit parts. Started with the front
side flashers, was able to make up a decent one out of the two. I now
have a perfect one and one that has broken glass, stripped threads on
back and dodgy brackets.... hmmm.. time for a trip to the parts
shop.
Sent the heater off to Cookes Radiators to get it flushed out and
checked for leaks. None found apart from the valve/tap. Need to get that
fixed.
Spent most of march cleaning the rustproofing out of bits of the car
rustproofing should not be. i.e. Outside panels and inside the car,
floor boot. Geeze the rustproofing spray sure gets about. Found
Wax and Grease remover solvent the best to use (painters recommendation)
to get rid of the rustproofing over spray. Followed by 3M Rubbing
Compound and HandGlaze.
April
Went for a drive up to Auckland (1.5hrs away) and dropped
the power steering rack and pump off at Air Flo (09........). whilst up
there dropped in to see Morris Turner at Stag 4x4
September
Contacted Spitfire Graveyard as the had advertised a Stag
windscreen trim for 25 pounds which was far better than the 60 pounds
another place wanted. Some positive feedback from the members of the
stag mailing list means I have a good chance of getting it in the
condition it is stated
October
Took a while for the windscreen trim to get here. A number
of calls were required. when it arrived it was missing the two trim
clips. A further call and and apology later a promise was made to send
them out. Finally at the end of October and no appearance a further call
was made. One clip had been found and they were trying to obtain
another. I also needed some sill kick plates , so they sent the one trim
clip out with the kick plates. I have had subsequent trim clips hand
made from the one I received and these are to go on the car.
All in all I think the Spitfire Graveyard provide excellent second hand parts, the people are friendly, they just do not appear geared up for overseas buyers.
December
Dropped round to Ken Braun Panel and Paint to see what it
would cost to get the alloys painted. It was suggested that to half the
cost I should mask the alloys myself. The best masking tape I thought to
use was the 3M 218 Fine Line tape (Beige/Geen in colour), but I had had
problems with it peeling back after the one spray. According to Ken the
best tape to use is the 3M 471 Plastic Tape (Blue in colour). It is a
bit like electricians tape and quite easy to bend.
So a night in front of the TV was spent first using the 471 tape and then normal masking tape for the large areas.
They were painted in a gloss black as it is easier to clean gloss black than satin black. I have decided not to clear coat them and will polish and wax the aluminium. The previous clear coat had sustained a lot of chipping , so at least this way they will only tarnish!
I used POR15 on the rim inner as there was a bit of corrosion probably due to moist air in the tyre and hopefully it will limit any more. I have spray painted the back of the rim satin black just to tidy them up.