DBGaither@aol.com wrote:
>
> I'm struggling with a decision and I'd like your input.
>
> Background:
> I purchased a '66B in July of this year. The motor was toast and has
> been removed and is at the local specialist being rebuilt ($1,800) So I
> started out stripping the engine bay to repaint it (color change).
>
> Dilemma:
> The car does need to be painted. I was originally planning on
> finishing all the mechanicals and then having it painted and put in a new
> interior. But a little voice is saying to me "Strip everything off the
> car, paint it, and then re-assemble it. C'mon Doug, let's do it the
> 'RIGHT' way!"
>
> Considerations:
> My money tree is not quite as large as others. This decision will mean
> being able to drive my car next spring or probably a year from next
> spring. I asked a friend of mine that owns a body shop about the cost of
> straightening and painting, he says $3,000. Now his work is top notch,
> but I don't know if I want to spend that much. I am also a little
> concerned that I might get the mechanicals working and never quite get
> around to having the car finished. I am a terrible procrastinator, but
> when I do things, I do them the right way. I get a great deal of
> satisfaction taking things down to the most basic parts. But this is my
> first LBC and I don't want to lose the 'fire' that drives me by putting
> the time-of-driving off another year.
>
> Question:
> What are the advantages of stripping everything off the body and having
> everything painted at once? This is not be a show car, but I do want it
> to be a 'looker'.
>
> I look forward to your responses.
>
> Doug Gaither
> Hey Doug:
It was a pleasure meeting you last month and welcome to the Chico Area British
Car Club
as its newest member! You and many other enthusiasts face the same issues when
restoring their cars. When no local clubs are available to lend moral support
and
encouragement, going out to the unheated garage (even in Southern CA) to work
on the car
during winter begins to lose its appeal over time! There are few feelings that
compare
with the realization that your car is so far apart, and the garage is so
disorganized
that you car will never regain recognizeable shape! (Why do I have all these
EXTRA
parts??)
Doug, you have a great car! The minimal rust we noticed can be taken care of
quite
easily and I know you have that under control. You see, some people try to
skip over
sill rust and just figure that paint and a little bondo here will take care of
the
cosmentics. I've even seen old newsparper, steel wool and fibreglass stuffed
into sills
to make them appear to be "rust free". What idiots!!
Painting the engine bay while the engine is out for rebuild makes perfect
sense. It is
a major hassle to remove everything to get to the paint. As I mentioned during
my
visit, "aircraft stripper" (available at all auto paint stores) is excellent.
Just
remember to wear gloves and flush all the parts really well with water to
remove all
traces of the chemicals. Costs about $25/gallon. Don't get too anal on the
engine bay;
once all components are replaced, most of the sheetmetal will be hidden! But
you will
have the satisfaction of knowing a job well done!
When strapped for money, I paint the engine bay and the scuttle (where the
windshield
bolts on) my new colour. Replace engine, leave scrappy interior, continue to
focus on
mechanicals. Remove front wings; paint sill area with "Corroless" anti-rust
paint from
Eastwood. Rebuild front end (use V8 or urethane bushings for A arms),
including new
rotors, bearings, examine wire wheel hubs, etc. I'd leave the rear end
alone...they are
very reliable and shouldn't cause a problem! Replace rear spring bushings as
in the
fronts. Have gas tank dipped and sealed; replace/rebuild Lucas electric fuel
pump.
Then start working on body dings. Maybe take a auto body class at local junior
college
at night (hard to do with 3 kids!). Sandblast and paint your wire wheels if the
car
looks too grungy for your taste! Don't replace carpets and cockpit stuff until
after
the car is re-sprayed. Paint dust gets everywhere!
keep in touch...Jim Boyd Paradie, CA diehard MGB nut!
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