Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 21, 2023 7:36:42 GMT
Door glass guide channel has been fitted to the door glasses
This is a friction fit with a glazing rubber that fits between the glass and the channel - Its essential that the channel is located correctly
No winding mechanism but a sprung assisted pair of arms that retain the window at the desired opening height - to raise or lower the glass their is a small bracket fitted to the top of the glass which enables the glass to be raised / lowered by hand
Trial fitted to the nearside and checked for operation
The glass felts fitted to either side of the glass on the door skin & door frame will be fitted once the van is painted
Then a repeat of the fitting on the offside door
Both doors were then stripped of the glass fittings and set aside - That's the last of the trial fitting prior to paintwork
I've collected the seats / spring bases / front inner door frames from the shot blaster
Panel profiling on the offside continues - The bonnet in particular on the Bradford vans were never a good fit from new - this one is compromised by that fact its had a hard life and is taking some time to get into shape - more soon
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 24, 2023 7:15:38 GMT
The basic profiles on all of the panels from the bulkhead forward are now complete - They still require a final skimming of a fine polyester (Cromax 769R) and I'm being properly messed about by the supplier - some bullets got fired at them yesterday and I'll hold my breath with the promise that it will turn up today
Offside front door is well on its way
Offside rear side panel & rear corner panel were keyed back for profiling
They are both also well underway with the profiles
Door glass guide channel has been fitted to the door glasses
This is a friction fit with a glazing rubber that fits between the glass and the channel - Its essential that the channel is located correctly
Had to do this many times on the Citroen BX as the channel was always falling off them. The glass was slightly curved and I was always worried knocking the channel on would brake the glass but it never did. Place the glass upside down on a piece of clean softwood and knock the channel on with a rubber mallet then breathe again.
Chris does the beltline extend behind the doors on the body? is it attached later?
I presume that was meant by "The panel beads have been removed from the rear panels in preparation for the forthcoming profiling work" in an earlier post.
Chris does the beltline extend behind the doors on the body? is it attached later?
I presume that was meant by "The panel beads have been removed from the rear panels in preparation for the forthcoming profiling work" in an earlier post.
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 26, 2023 8:22:14 GMT
The vast majority of the final profiling is now complete on the nearside front of the van - just one small area to address this morning
I want remain diligent to the original finish of the van in the respect of not going overboard in the terms of perfection - Being a commercial vehicle the vans were produced to a price - somewhat short of what you would expect for a quality car of the era - Made to work and not to exact detail - Hence areas like the bonnet panels carried minor ripples where the hinges were factory rolled - I'm keen to retain these details rather than the 'Pin Perfect' straight panels that is a common mistake often seen on over restored vehicles - Especially commercials
I have now started to progress the final profiling applications to the offside front panels
And also progressed the profiling on the offside rear door - both rear doors are equally if not worse in damage than the bonnet panels were
Thankfully I can put my powered long bed sander to work
Which can speed things along a little - more later
Post by grumpynorthener on Oct 27, 2023 7:05:32 GMT
I use vacuum extraction with the 'Mirka' abrasives
The hose can quite often get in the way but its just a matter of technique
And the difference it makes - I changed the vacuum bag yesterday - That's several kilo's of filler dust that would be hanging loose around the workshop or that you would be breathing / covered in - Using vacuum extraction will pretty much see 95% of the dust captured - It not a cheap option with the professional vacuum's but you can readily convert an old 'Henry' for home use - The abrasives again are not cheap but the lifespan of the product by far outweighs any cheaper alternative and therefore works out cheaper over the course of a job / restoration
All nearside front panels are now complete
And just the bonnet side panel on the offside to complete this morning
Final skimming of the profiles on the offside rear panel have commenced
Still a bit to do before it is paint time but getting there. The roof looks like it will be a tiring job but I am looking forward to the completed job.
Post by grumpynorthener on Nov 24, 2023 10:00:53 GMT
So after a short break to facilitate the clubs attendance at NEC show and having now returned all the show cars to their respective homes its now time to crack on with the final panel profiling
I've also been resting a repetitive strain injury on my right arm which is a critical element of completing the profiling - more later
Post by grumpynorthener on Nov 25, 2023 9:09:54 GMT
I removed the construction / transit primer from the nearside panels that had been applied by the previous owner
I still cant understand the mentality of people that think that applying primer / paint over the top of rust ingress actually cures the problem (Both the mentality and the rust)
I utilised a rotary wire brush over the areas then treated them with a good dose of Hydrate 80
The rear side panels are alloy but the rear wing & rear corner panel are steel
These were also keyed back - The DA with P80 discs soon made light work of these
Initial profiling skimming applied
Steel dashboard panel can now be removed
Stripped of components several areas required welded repairs - some redundant holes along with a few weak areas on the upper flange where the windscreen had been leaking
Once repaired & dressed back it was also treated with Hydrate 80
Post by grumpynorthener on Nov 30, 2023 7:28:39 GMT
Nearside door profiles are almost there - just a light skimming of finishing required towards the right hand bottom
Nearside rear panel is complete and I've made a start on the profiles of the small rear wing
With exception of the small areas that I cant access until the rear door hinges are removed the nearside rear corner panel is also complete
And I've made a start on the sanding back the profiles on the metal dashboard panel - this is going to require a few more skims to get into the correct shape before it gets primed