jack ... prep advice

[fmichaels]

jack ... i know your tub is similar to mine in that it has no wheels or suspension installed. have you had any issues with the underside edges being bent or crushed under from travel and moving? did you have that checked and corrected before they primerd and painted. i do not want to install the rear end since its already painted. any advice would be appreciated. thanks

 

[BWillis]

F,

Im not Jack but thought I could help.

I built a cheap dolly that fit under my car from the spring boxes to the forward crossmember and used thick matress type foam on top to protect the underside and allow for transort at home as well as in the painters shop.

My worry was compounded because I painted the bottom of my car myself and flipped the car back over for the painter. I didnt want any damage in transport or while it was at the shop. The first two pictures HERE show my tub on the dolly prior to adding the foam.


Hope that helps!

 

[jlaird]

No problem with bottom of tub, is is going to ride home on a foam mattress. It has been my experience that the bottoms are tough, well the paint is not but that's another issue.

 

[fmichaels]

ben, thanks for the response. sounds like i will have to build something similar and then even more importantly, make sure i am around when the car is moved or turned. that way i can ensure the edges are maintained.
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two things i noticed, your tub had some undercoating still on it after blasting. mine is the same and looks the same. i was told to remove this using lacquer thinner. i am currently doing that. did you paint over that? it comes off pretty easy except for some corners. i guess the blaster media bounces off this stuff.
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second, i noticed you fly RC plances. i used to fly gliders years ago. great hobby but like healeys, it is expensive.
thanks fred

 

[BWillis]

I removed almost all of the remaining undercoating using a mixture of solvents but the best and quickest I found was of all things 'carb & choke cleaner). I was able to find it for .99 a can at a store called BigLots (you may not have these) and used maybe 10 cans to do the job. Although I removed the majority of it from the pass compartment I wasn't as worried about this area as I planned to spray another layer of a modern sealer in there for future protection and sound deadening.

I wondered when someone would notice all of those planes hidden back there. That hobby has been put on hold until I finish the Bugeye. The great thing is they'll all be ready to fly when I am /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Oh, The most expensive part of my dolly was the casters. I got them for $7 each at a local tractor supply store. Another good source is Harbor Freight. If you need any measurments or material info let me know.

 

[fmichaels]

thanks ... i was thinking carb cleaner as well since i have used it often and there isn't much that doesn't melt when its applied.
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i have a few gliders hanging in dark corners of the basement . perhaps some day i will refit and fly ... it's pretty hard getting the wings in a healey trunk though ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jlaird]

All the undercoat was removed from Miss Agatha. Blast, scrape and blast again. It will not be replaced. It was not orginial to the cars.

 

[BWillis]

"It was not orginial to the cars. "

You are correct jack. I did add a modern coat of a thin seam sealer. Its a smooth product much like a thick primer under the paint in the pass comartment. This will help with sound and provide a little more protection fot the floorboards should any water get in. The best thing about this product is you cant tell its there by looking.

So do you have any new pictures or an estimated time for pickup for Miss Agatha?

 

[jlaird]

No pics new.

I understand that starting today they are going all out on Miss Agatha and it will be ready for pick up by the 16th or so. Tony says all has been skimmed so they working that out and then a couple of coats of primer all over hand sanding between etc etc.

Yes my guy used seam sealer as well in all the seams.

 

[Blackjokr]

I;m a newbie o this, but do you guys mind if I asked how you "blasted"?? What kidn of equipment is this and where do you do it? Outside? inside? in a contained area? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I really would like to learn!

 

[tony barnhill]

Didn't get there today, Jack...spent the day on the pinion bearing in my big Dodge truck - might as well do all 6 bearings....will run down tomorrow in my Sonoma.

 

[jlaird]

Blasting is sand blasting or media blasting to get everything off down to bare metal.

Normaly done by a firm who does this type of thing.

 

[fmichaels]

would be nice if i had my own set up for blasting, but like jack said, it normally is done by a firm. it's not cheap but worth it from a results and timesaving standpoint.

 

[Baz]

Christmas is coming....
A Gift?

 

[jlaird]

Glad I am not trying to do a car with that little bitty bit of a blaster.

 

[fmichaels]

not bad for small parts and i am not about to tell you the hourly rate for blasting at my local machine shop.

 

[Baz]

For a one time job, it might be an economical alternative, pop it in the want ads after you're done.
Sure it's small, but if I was restoring a Panzer tank or something, then I'd take it to a firm!

 

[fmichaels]

agreed ... and i'm preping for a second trip to the blaster before primer. a lot of undercoasting to remove. i started last weekend and what a killjoy. lacquer thinner and carb cleaner .. i'll be singing before you know it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif