Berlinetta restoration

[angusgrooby]

Re: Mini window regulator

Hi Cameron, would there be any chance of a picture of your top wishbones please they do not look like mine standard cortina, looks as if you have adjustable wishbones. Thinking of getting some adjustable ones made to correct the negative camber on mine so some pictures would be good.
Thanks

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Mini window regulator

Problem solved. I had inadvertently swapped the winding regulator mechanisms from side to side! The springs help raise the window and now that I have swapped them over I see the mechanisms work really well.
Meanwhile I am unhappy with the repair to the door I made. I reinforced the hinges on both doors but the passenger door is not so good. There is still some minor movement in the metal so I am going to look out for a better door before I strip it and repair again.
Paint is coming on well, just rubbing out the last of the orange peel to get the shine back, I don't want it too shiny as I don't want that plasticky 2k look.
The wheels were another thing letting the car down so I have got hold of some multispoke alloys to replace them with. If anyone would like a set of 5 BBS style compomotives in excellent condition (but painted a kind of grey) let me know and I will get my bartering cap out. They currently have a set of unworn 195/60/15s on which I may transfer to the new set, let's see what happens. Will try and get some pics up soon.

[scott h]

Re: Mini window regulator

From memory each arm has a coil spring. I wonder if you could wind it up so to speak by turning each one an extra turn?

[Cameron F]

Re: Mini window regulator

Hi Scott, that's what I thought too but there is no difference between the two regulators I can see?????? I was confused because it was stiff in the frame before I took it apart. The only think I can think off is the old window strips were holding it up, now they are new and smooth that no longer is the case. I shall just have to get another one.

Glad I finished painting last week as it about freezing today!

[scott h]

Re: Mini window regulator

The window dropping is surely the springs not doing their job properly? I would take another look and maybe compare it to the one that works.

[cameronfurnival]

Mini window regulator

Refitting the doors today and everything seemed to go ok - well mostly.
The passenger door glass wont stay up - the regulator just allows it to drop - question is - what have I done? It was working fine before I cleaned it! All the springs seem ok - ie not detached or broken?
Advice gratefully received!

PS the choice of OEW as the colour was influenced by my missus's new mini - in white!

[David]

Re: New grille and almost finished the paint

I love the 'old white' colours, we had one of the new Mini's (the Clubvan) in Pepper White as BMW call it.

[cameronfurnival]

New grille and almost finished the paint

Hopefully the final day of paint today. I will then spend a couple of days buffing to get a nice shine although I have to say 2K solid colour does come out nice straight from the gun.
Meanwhile I bought a role of Stainless wire mesh to make a nice shiny grille. I have loads left so if anyone wants it? (I have used 1/4 of a square meter but cut it on the bias so the chunk missing means almost 60cm chunk taken out). It cost about £40 for the whole sheet and I reckon there are at least two more grilles to be got out of it. And yes, here's a pic...The new colour is a nice classic Old English White.

grille-Berli.JPG

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

finished the primer layer now, waiting for it to dry off before blocking then put on the nice new top coat.

tubby.jpg

[Cameron F]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

Ran out of the poly filler, used 1litre so far.. Reckon the amounts needed are 1litre etch primer, 2 litres primer filler and 2.5 litres top coat for a Berli.

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

No just a solid colour, shouldn't need a clear. Should be good to go straight from the gun or so the manufacturer states.

[wiggiesworld]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

Are you putting some clear (lacquer) coats on at the end?

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

Paint!
Finally after what seems like years of rubbing and fettling I have begun to paint. Heater on full blast even though the weather is still mild (turn it off when spraying of course!) coat of etch wash 2k followed by polyester filler. Never used the poly before but it goes on well and covers nicely. I use a 2.0 jet for primers and a 1.4 for top coat. Pic shows the ally panels. Second coat of poly should go on today then a bit more rubbing before the top coat tomorrow. Once these panels are done I will start on the grp. I will use 2k waterborne paint for the top coats - again that will be new to me so I will let you know how it goes.

DSC_0081.JPG

[Cameron F]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

Spot on Ben...

[b_caswell]

Re: Berlinetta doors cracking and splitting - any fixes?

If I am right the fouled plug came from the same bore that had the restricted exhaust????