Lookee Ma! I caught a big 'un!

[John Moore]

woo hoo! Look what bit my hook!

I borrowed a hoist and engine stand from another MG buddy and got my engine out last night. I plan on getting the engine out in the yard and degrease and powerwash it. I plan on doing the same thing with the engine bay. I have been making slow progress, getting many little things done, like rebuilding the calipers, rear brakes and other stuff.

Right now, I'm thinking about chemically stripping the body then blasting the rusted areas for repair.

 

[John Moore]

Here's the nasty bay.

 

[Bruce_B]

Looks good John...progess, progress, progress!

 

[jlaird]

Progress is a wonderful think, way to go.

 

[zimmy]

been there!
i just put my motor back
in yesterday, and u know what?
it started! :wink: ...zimmmmy

 

[jlaird]

Oh boy. Way to go zimmy.

 

[John Moore]

Zimmy, that's great news.

And yes, a little progress definitely keeps one motivated.

 

[jcatnite]

I'll be interested to see how everyone rings in on the chemical stripping portion. Are you talking about having the tub dipped or just using paint stripper and the old truty putty knife? I've heard differing opinions on the whole tub dipping process. That was originally my plan but I have been talked out of it and will probably have it soda blasted instead. Anyway, congrats on the progress. Pulling the engine is a major step towards your goal.
JC

 

[John Moore]

JC,

I'm talking about chemical stripping and a putty knife in the garage. I've found a few places that will soda blast the body but they cost $900 - $1200, more than I have in the budget right now.

 

[mccalebr]

I'll be interested to see how everyone rings in on the chemical stripping portion...

I just hand stripped the hood, both front fenders, the cowl, and both doors of my '62 Sprite a couple weeks ago. I used "Aircraft" stripper, a putty knife, and a couple wire brushes. It took about two days to do those parts, so I'm thinking less than a week to do a car. (Keep in mind that I'm retired and my typical "work" day is 4-5 hours)

The stripper works well; you'll peel off the color coat first, then another application for other color coats that may be there and the primer. Get some rubber gloves as the stripper will go right through the thin disposable latex ones. The stripper will soften any body filler (Bondo) that you find, but a grinder with a flapper sanding disk works better.

There are some photos detailing my adventure in stripping...did I say that? ...on my web site at:

https://www.raysmg.com/rays_mg_midget_62_sprite_bodywork4.htm (about halfway down the page)

Ray

 

[bugimike]

Has anyone else had the b**ls to try it like I did for stripping years of old stuff? I took my propane torch, a putty knife and a big ol' wire brush and just scorched the old stuff off! Made short work of a nasty build up of stuff! (Just work fast and don't put too much heat in one spot at a time!!)

 

[John Moore]

Ray,

I'll check out your site. That looks like what I want to try and like I said, blast the crispy bits.


Mike,

I don't know if I would want to burn off the paint, but when I stripped off the undercoat on my MGB, I used a plumber's torch!

 

[bugimike]

I found it made short work of removing old Bondo and paint!! Like I said though, I had to go easy with the heat application so as not to distort the metal!!!

 

[asoupley]

Has anyone else had the b**ls to try it like I did for stripping years of old stuff? I took my propane torch, a putty knife and a big ol' wire brush and just scorched the old stuff off! Made short work of a nasty build up of stuff! (Just work fast and don't put too much heat in one spot at a time!!)

I did most of my car that way about 15 years ago - back when I was too young and dumb to know any better. Not sure if I would try that method today! It did work fast though, and like bugimike said, don't use too much heat in one spot or you'll warp the metal. Learned that one the hard way!

 

[JPSmit]

not a torch but a heat gun was actually pretty good for the undercoating