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A fun day with the sander and grinder on Bugsy

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Jim_Gruber

Jim_Gruber

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Temps great in Dayton yesterday and I had a garage day to myself. Did all of the shop cleanup jobs I had on my list and I decided it's time to take the finishing sander to Bugsy's, my '68 Sprite, BE Bonnet. Bonnet was installed last year with front tilt but has been resplendent in multiple shades of grey and black primer, unsanded bondo, and overall rust patina from being sand blasted probably 20 years ago, primered, unsanded bondo, and then sat under a covered carport on end until I purchased about 7 years ago. Bonnet must have been installed on a racecar at one time as there were side latches installed and had been twanged pretty well and repaired.

Anyway, I've been afraid to get started on this one, not knowing what was really underneath all of the primer and rust patina. To my surprise the heavy, heavy layer of primer began to sand out, rust was strictly surface, the really rough unsanded bondo began to smooth out and after 4-5 sheets of 80 grit on the finishing sander I thought this thing is starting to shape up pretty well. A couple of hours of sanding after dinner, metal forming with a hammer and dolly, and I had things in good enough shape that I mixed up some Bondo myself to fix some things I could just not sand out. In the light this AM it actually looks pretty darn smooth.

Bonnet will now come off the car for painting, 2 bolts, I love being able to do that with a forward tilt bonnet, and it will come off. Lights and wiring harness already pulled out. Will need to do some sanding on inside of bonnet but will be fairly quick cleanup. I could be in BRG by next weekend and I can stop driving ugly. Plans also call for twin Bright Yellow Stripes.

It's coming together, pics when I'm done.
 
Great news Jim! My BE is also coming along nicely. I installed the new door lining today and put in new side pocket parts. Also installed a better emergency brake handle which was purchased off Ebay. Carpet and redone dash are coming up as soon as the new wiring harness arrives. This warm weather makes me want everything finished so I can be out driving. Soon!
Charlie
 
And for the last 2 nights, I have been making patch panels and guessing at what the radiator shroud was supposed to look like as the bonnet I am working on was just a tad rusty, like no lower corners where it meets the rockers, and swiss cheese across the front valance.
Lots of metal and welding, tomorrow I can start slinging bondo.
Meanwhile, the doors and tub of this Bugeye are looking good, remember I had to put on part of another car on the back of this one.
I cut it off from the center of the rear wheels and made one car out of 2.
It is also de-seamed front and back.
 
Soooo, if you had put the two parts together with fasteners you could have taken it apart for storage.
 
Yes and I learned that the sheet I put over the engine compartment to keep sanding dust off of everything catches fire easily when you get out the welder to touch up a spot. Small, not make that a significant 12" hole burned quickly in the sheet but quick action with the spray bottle prevented it from being a major issue. Let me reiterate that note about the importance of having a fire extinguisher at hand in the garage, espacially when the welder is out.
 
I might buy an extra fire extinguisher and mount it to my welding cart so that it is always close.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
Bonnet will now come off the car for painting, 2 bolts, I love being able to do that with a forward tilt bonnet, and it will come off. Lights and wiring harness already pulled out. Will need to do some sanding on inside of bonnet but will be fairly quick cleanup. I could be in BRG by next weekend and I can stop driving ugly. Plans also call for twin Bright Yellow Stripes.

It's coming together, pics when I'm done.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: One of the great benefits of the tilt-front bonnet! I have actually simplified removal of the bonnet with no bolts! Of course, I have a much lighter than stock, 'glass bonnet. I have a 3/4" bar across the frame-horns, and forward facing hooks on the bonnet that hook to it. Spitfire latches hold it securely at each side at the rear!
 
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