SoundillusioN - the re-united mk1!

[SoundillusioN]

Not a great update but its an update... Sun was out so best thing to do was a bit of painting

Sills were still rubbed down from when i took the kit off.  As the kit covers up so much I wanted to make sure everything it hides is absolutely plastered in paint and/or waxoyl wherever required so it stays as good as it has done after 27 years!



Rubbed down again, pulled out any bad jacking point bends so the seams are pretty damn staright now and painted both sides, this picture really shows the nasty fecking dent in drivers door that I need to sort out! 





The bit in the bulkhead that the Ignition Module is attached to was a mess so sorted that out too.  Removed the unit from the heatsink first before i did anything.







Also stripped and re-painted the top of the inner wings where the wings bolt down to.... No pics.

Cars quite high off the ground at the moment as i need to strip down the exhaust system and put it back together, its blowing and the hangers need replacing, really got in an ar5e though because i'm struggling to get the mid section off the manifold!... it started getting dark, I was in a mood so I gave up for now.    I hate working under cars, you just cant use your full strength for anything!

[SoundillusioN]

Managed to get the exhaust off in the end today.  refitted, sits nice and snug, re-sealed, new clamps and new hangers = no blowing! result...

think i did too good a job though as it rattles on a heat shield now, may have a fiddle after work tomorrow............

........oh and adjust the hangers! 

[SoundillusioN]

I've managed to have a quick look underneath and I think I've got the exhaust spot on now.... as high as it will go and doesnt touch anything when its running, we'll see how it goes when i finally get the chance to actually drive it again! Chris I have no pictures but I do have how the car sat when i did it  (took it today) and a pic of how she sleeps at night (the cover sits better when the wings are on).

[SoundillusioN]

OK, so i had a bit of lie in today and wasted some good weather... work has been killing me though so it was well needed!

quite a few bits I've ordered have turned up over the past few weeks, not put them up on here as I thought it would be better doing that when i'm actually doing something with them.

Got some heat wrap and some stainless straps.  The main steering rack boot is too close to the four branch, not normally a problem with a standard one but the supersprint is melting the boot.



I had to double the straps up as they weren't long enough for the big old boot.  Not an easy place to work but managed to do it from underneath while the car is still raised.

[SoundillusioN]

Bought an old bonnet from AdamMK2 from here a couple of months ago now, its a bit beaten up but in better condition than the temp one I had on...the underside of this one is pretty damn rusty so i may have to get a better one next year,  he also chucked in a front bumper but in the end it was in too bad a state for me to use and had a clip missing.  not complaining though as he only wanted £25 for both.







Its blistered like this all across the front and loads on the top so some heavy sanding in places required.



I'm going to leave the underside post MOT



Keyed the whole lot and went heavy where needed... looks like its just caught measels!





Zinc primer on the worst bits followed by normal grey over the lot.. no pics of that... doh



Few coats of Satin black... about one and half litres for now.. i know theres dents to sort so this is not the finished job





Pictures make it look better than it is.. probably the worst painting from cans i've ever done!  but at least its black for now!

got some of these, thought they'd be an easy 5 minute job but had trouble getting the struts on the ball joints and bashed the feck out of my thumb trying to get them on.. managed one and gave up as i was running out of time and not really essential right now!




Fitted up the bonnet in the normal fashion instead







Catch is different so doesnt shut, need to swap them over

[SoundillusioN]

My mission this weekend is to get the wings prepped, painted and fitted.  I'd already done quite a bit to the £25 near side blue one but needed more.

As I left it



after finding more imperfections I gave it another skim then sanded like a mofo, 80, 120, 200, 400 grit.



then primed it and hung it to dry



Got to work on the orginal off side wing, same again with the sanding



No need to prime as its original paint was very good, with the right surface out came the satin, you may notice lines around the arch, this is a marker for the kit.. sorry for rubbish pic but worked though the night!



Also started to crack on with the BBS bodykit... I had already made a start on the laborious sanding that was required!



Got one skirt primed



I have made a lot of progress on the rest of the kit.... more to come very soon! 

[SoundillusioN]

Soooooooooooooo... didn't get to fit the wings because the weather mucked me about today and also don't think it's wise to fit on same day as painting... Also I am concerned that the air is too cold and damp as the paint hasn't dried as cleanly as did yesterday.. at one point it went patchy grey!    Spent so long redoing stuff today it's unreal

Late last night I primed another part of the bodykit



Today gave yesterdays wing another coat and trial fitted the arch



found some more dings in the replacement NS wing so had another little go at it





Now painted this one satin and got the arch done too and put them together to have a look... was very dark at this point



sanded the front valance down too

[SoundillusioN]

Once the wings were properly dry they looked sh*t up close, grey patchy areas, I think the cold damp air fooked them as the stuff I did previously in proper daylight were fine... I used a rubbing compound and then polished them, looked worse!  Cleaned everything with alcohol and Keyed them both back.................. AGAIN!  Resprayed and the paint reacted!... FFS!!!!!  So did that step for another time until all was good.  And between coats I had light help from this to keep things warm... 



Not going to post all the pics for that as i'm sure you're sick of seeing my wings now!

Comparison Pic NS wing and BBS arch 



Now both done but after the disaster I am very unhappy with the finish on the NS wing but it will have to do as I need to move on!



Keyed the primed skirt and painted





and oh look..... what do we have here!!!!!?...................................













And with a BBS arch wedged in place!





Got to get my smaller tyres fitted!!! 

[SoundillusioN]

I have been busy but feel I could have done something by now... no more deadlines from me anymore as it seems to be a bit of joke when I set one.

Spent a lot of time cleaning and organising all the small parts that need refitting.  lost some interior trim already...  it'll be somewhere.

Fitted new frames and seats with original seat belt buckles.  I will be rolling with carpet but will be cleaning and fitting it post MOT, also might help MOT man see that my floor is solid.









I've got a slight clearance issue which I also had with the vintage Recaro that was in it before, I am quite tall and custom frames are always slightly higher than OEM.  I just fit comfortably but may have to look into this at a later date.
 
Shaun

[SoundillusioN]

Paint work stops, winter kicks in.  What's done has cured OK so will concentrate on the kit as that's nearly done, i'm going to have to jump in and out of the shed to finish, got gas heaters in there now which should help.  Broadband in via a pair of Powerline 9020 Adapters to keep me entertained or seek help. 

Still need a sort out in there but it'll do for now.....