Hi Listers,
As the list has been discussing body off restos - it has got me thinking. This
may all be down the heat, you may all call me crazy, but hear me out first:
I can't resto my car, it doesnt really need it - but what it does need is a
paint job.
Now, although my car is used daily, I do have time off during holidays - and
depending on the answer to this question, possibly could fit it in. We are
talking next easter as the next oppotunity to do something like this - but it
would be useful to have a figure in my head.
First you might want to take some photos of my car that I took:
http://www.pbase.com/jcarruthers/spitfire
Sooooooo - how long would it take me to rub down my car for a paint job?
Now, Im not sure if I want to go down to the metal, but certain places might
need it. Im not sure how much of it needs painting... do I really need to
paint inside the engine bay? I only want the outside to be nice and shiney.
Now, Im not one to half do a job, but it is impossible for me to do a body off
resto - or it may be impossible for me to do a decent job of a full rub down.
A body off resto was done 5 years ago, the chassis is rustless, and the body
is rustless (ok - spitfire and rustless is a crazy combination of words - but,
yes its very almost rust free) too - its just that the PO did a terrible job
on the paintwork.
I don't have to rub down my boot lid, or hard top - as they'll have shiney new
paint jobs by the time it comes to doing the car.
In terms of time, I could work like a maniac for 3 weeks solid - if I had to.
Also, some of the time I guess I could rope my Dad in to helping me out.
There are certain places that need attention - the bonnet next to the lights.
There is some bad filler in there. And also around the rear lights there is
some suspect bubbles. Overall though the car has no bubbling at all.
I am also trying to figure out in my head all the stuff I need to do to do at
least a semi-decent job of this - remove the bonnet?, chrome stuff, trim (that
come off on its own at the moment!), front/rear lights, Im guessing those
front bits either side of the grill come off - for easier access to rub it
down. All that paint dust surely isnt good for the rest of the car - cover up
the interior? engine? take the windscreen out?
I've also got to figure out how on earth I'd get the beast from the garage to
the paint shop. I guess I could remove everything, rub it down, put it back on
and drive it there naked - then take it apart again. But thats the last of my
worrys.
As I say, Im thinking this through at the moment. Depending on what you guys
say, it may scare me off.
Im planning to keep this car a long time - I absolutly love this car - honest
to god - it will never be replaced by anything else. Maybe I could sell it,
and buy another one. But that could open up a whole can of mechanical worms.
The car has proven to be solid so far - the interior is good - the engine is
sound, mechanically its all good.
Last but not least, I have to learn how to rub down... heh!
James
1977 Pimento Red Spit
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