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 RT M2 1191 reborn (currently 2,717 views) |
| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 10th, 2017, 10:50:25
 Attachment: dsc02321.jpg - 183.29 KB (3027 views) |
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So onto the strip down which is by far the easiest bit, even with all those rusted nuts and inaccessible niches. Time to find out that I can't actually fit into a Mini Jem (the clue is in the name John) before months of bending and craning, reaching and stretching finally transform me into the lithe supple man I am today. Surprisingly, the subframes turn out to be almost pristine (good old red lead) and once the underseal came off, I discovered that the rear one was once owned by the Air Ministry, so obviously not from the original donor. MiniFins all round, again in remarkable nick, as was the tank which was still shiny inside! so most bits looked eminently reusable, Hurrah. After a few |
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Reply: 15 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 10th, 2017, 10:54:14
Attachment: 123.jpg - 167.22 KB (3030 views) |
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Reply: 16 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 10th, 2017, 10:54:43
Attachment: dsc02335.jpg - 180.03 KB (3008 views) |
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Reply: 17 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 09:43:21
Attachment: dsc02283.jpg - 141.26 KB (3038 views) |
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| I think I mentioned that I was rubbish at bodywork, well here's the proof. After extensive research on repair methods, you guessed it, I ignored all the good advice and did it my way (and you wonder why I'm so bad). All hairlines got ground out and filled with Isopon P40, then skimmed with P38. Proper cracks got the 'grind both sides and lay up glass' first. Osmosis was ground within a hair's breath of its life first. Then came the rubbing down. Who'd have thought it would take forever to rub down such a small car? The observant amongst you will have noticed that I didn't skim the whole car (mistake) and that creating a mirror finish with 600 grit at this stage is not conducive to getting paint to stick. Still I was still pleased with the result. Then on to paint next (lovely). |
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Reply: 18 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 09:44:08
Attachment: dsc02307.jpg - 126.42 KB (3032 views) |
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| Mid way through |
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Reply: 19 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 09:44:47
Attachment: dsc02396.jpg - 151.63 KB (3026 views) |
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| After (Hmmmmm....) |
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Reply: 20 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 09:46:12
Attachment: jem_email.gif - 91.16 KB (3029 views) |
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| All done front (see it doesn't look so bad). |
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Reply: 21 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 09:53:27
Attachment: dsc02494.jpg - 69.26 KB (3036 views) |
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And rear.
BTW I took her out on her first long run yesterday to see my 97 year old Mum up in Grimsby. Yes she fitted in and of course she loved it (after all she is my Mum). 240 miles, Norwich to Grimsby, looks like around 50+ to the gallon?? No real issues, the only minor (?) one was a slight hesitancy at the sweet spot between accelerating and decelerating. |
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Reply: 22 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 11:06:02
Attachment: bonnet_top.jpg - 177.03 KB (3025 views) |
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| Oh! I forgot all about the bonnet. I was missing the bonnet (no surprise there then) when I got the Jem so I put a plea out on this site. After a few false starts Good old Richard Porter offered me an old dusty one that he had lying around to see if I could use it. |
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Reply: 23 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 11:08:33
Attachment: bonnet_strip.jpg - 162.88 KB (3012 views) |
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| After a little (a lot actually) elbow grease, it started to look a little more presentable, of course you had to be there. |
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Reply: 24 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 11:11:33
Attachment: bonnet_email.jpg - 153.09 KB (3033 views) |
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| The problem that I could see (how could you miss it?) was that the vent in the bulge was a bit bigger than I needed. Fortunately I did have the original bulge cut from the original bonnet so I decided to do a transplant. |
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Reply: 25 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 11:16:08
Attachment: bonnet2.jpg - 111.52 KB (3025 views) |
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| Then a bright shining thing appeared at the the garage door and 'Voila!', a transformation occurred. |
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Reply: 26 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 11:19:19
Attachment: dsc03054.jpg - 125.03 KB (3026 views) |
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And if you don't believe that then look.
The observant amongst you will note that it doesn't accurately show the finished article (i.e. as it is now), but more of that later. |
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Reply: 27 - 68 |
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| mike brown |
| Posted on: June 13th, 2017, 16:49:58 |
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Big Member
Location: Southampton
Posts: 419
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Your method of repair whilst not the best will give good long lasting results. It's much worse when people use just filler or gel coat as the cracks just come back through. P40 has fibres in it so all good.
Your car looks great in just wish I had the time to start mine but alas to many other projects in the queue at the moment.
Mike |
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Reply: 28 - 68 |
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| John_Campbell |
Posted on: June 14th, 2017, 09:13:22
Attachment: dsc03027.jpg - 191.81 KB (3026 views) |
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Thanks Mike, Which of your many Jems is first?
So on to paint. Before I explain, I want you to take a deep intake of breath and make yourselves a strong coffee as this makes difficult reading for traditionalists, (but you do get the last laugh).
My other current project is a VW T2 camper, and during my research I found that 'Dubbers' (as they're called), have found a paint which a) is oil based, b) can be hand painted, c) is rust inhibiting and d) is cheap as chips, called Rustoleum. Well that suits me down to a T (especially the cheap as chips bit). It takes a bit of elbow grease but seems to give a great finish.
So buoyed with this secret out came a £35 tin of Rustoleum and a roller! |
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Reply: 29 - 68 |
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Mini Marcos Forum > General Boards > Mini Jem > RT M2 1191 reborn
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