paulmanta Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Wow, That is super straight. The paint has gone on and been finished well by the look of it, the reflections are nice and clean and not fuzzy, being black its a bit harder to get that sort of finish so they know their stuff !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Yup Black is a pig to get right, the slightest mark shows in it, that head lining is ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted March 13, 2008 Author Share Posted March 13, 2008 Cheers everyone. Yes very pleased with the job. James, I have the corner pieces but I beleive the trim shrinks back slightly when been in the sun a few times. So I thought I would let it all settle down before I fit them in case they pop out and get lost. Wish I knew you had the tool. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fish Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Thats lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entwistlecymru Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 We're gonna have a sexy looking Billing convoy from the South West this year The work looks spot on - I'm using it as a target finish for my B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted March 13, 2008 Author Share Posted March 13, 2008 Just realised I promised to mention the people responsible. All bodywork - ARG Garage Services Pottery Road Bovey Tracey Devon TQ13 9DS Tel 01626 833222 Headlining - Westcountry Trimmers Blue Waters Pottery Road Bovey Tracey Devon TQ13 9YF Tel 01626 833722 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted March 26, 2008 Author Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hello, James! Are there any fullsize pictures of Your pretty manta on the forum or on the web? I'll probably soon gain black pre-restyled manta b in bad condition, and I wonder how it looks in black with all crome. I had big problems finding such images in the web. Thanks in advance. Hi Mate. If you let me have your email address I can send you some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 Have started the next stage of this years restoration work. Removed o/s wing and have started removing the underseal. Found a heat gun good for removing the bulk of it, then a wire brush attachment on the angle grinder to get back to bare metal. Awful job though. Found this hiding Jacking point very good though! Not much holding the lower wing! This looks worse than it is. Note the clear silicone! Nice touch!!! Has anyone used that gel rust remover? Dont fancy grinding off the surface rust inside the car. Does it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 got to say love the pics of the ladder rack chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Has anyone used that gel rust remover? Dont fancy grinding off the surface rust inside the car. Does it work? The bilt hamber gel is like the gods own nectar Seriously tho, works reasonably well. Lil better than the hammerite and a bit more environmentally friendly. I've heard of some using the deox c powder to make a paste thats more potent. If its surface rust, then a flap disc might be an option. Or a nylon brush in powerdrill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny D114BCW Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Great job that, like it alot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Car is back from being welded. New section fabricated from left of the chin spoiler mounting point as you can see. Tidy job of this area Just trying to find the time now to paint the inner wing and fit a new pattern wing. Working a 70hr week at the moment so just doing bit at a time. Spent too much money on her for this year so decided to carry out projects that I can actually do myself rather than pay someone to do. So decided to refurb the wheels Had this one shot blasted, then applied two coats of etch primer. Fingers crossed it will turn out ok after the filler primer, silver paint and lacquer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Sorry to jump in on your post James, how much did the replacement headliner cost you? if you don't mind me asking? The car is looking great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted April 16, 2008 Author Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hi Keith. Originally it was supposed to be £200 + Vat but they had to make up the stainless rods that hold it in place as well. So final bill was £230 + Vat. A lot more than I wanted to pay but they have done an amazing job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fish Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Good work James, really do like this car a lot, looks like it will be around for a long time to come... good look with the wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 Slow but steady progress Fitted new shock eventually after having to cut the old one out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Thats a fine looking bit of metal in them picture's you've got there James I'm not sure aboot the jack tho James dinna go under the car with that jack tho (honestly) Its looking good tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 Thats a fine looking bit of metal in them picture's you've got there James I'm not sure aboot the jack tho James dinna go under the car with that jack tho (honestly) Its looking good tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 I've seen this B a couple of times and as shiruken says earlier the black and chrome combo suit it down to the ground. I was curious, have you considered fitting the earlier style chrome bumpers? This would really add that extra bit of bling, as would hi-polishing the alloys and then laquer over the bare alloy? I know the car wouldn't be strictly original as you've kept it but keep the black bumpers and they only take 10 mins to swap over should you need to. Just an idea. By the by, is that stone chip you're using underneath and under the arches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 Hi Rick. I would prefer to keep it original but I must admit I have been tempted with the chrome bumper idea. Maybe if a set came up for sale locally I may be swayed. And yes I used Tetrosyl stone chip followed by a couple of coats of good old hammerite smooth. I also sealed all the seems and joints first with an overpaintable silicone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opel2000 Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Now that is what I call some superb welding, that looks absolutely so damn spot on from the pics, an absolute pleasure to see. Lovely to see something being done to such a damn good standard James. Would also agree with your thoughts that fitting chrome bumpers onto this would make for one hell of an already superb 'B' even more superb. Getting hold of them is the problem though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 From what I gathered from the recent club OCP pilgrimage, they have maybe a couple of chrome front bumpers left, the rears I don't know. The best thing would be that when someone decides to sell me a B shell for my V8 I'll sell the bumpers in favor of the facelift type. That may take a while. Original's fine mate and this is a lovely example (you've won a concourse or two haven't you?) but I can never keep anything 100% original, since I want that personal unique-ness and as much as I love mantas there are some ugly components, just look under your bonnet James, some German's left his frying pan there! I've been following a couple of your topics, since I want to get started on my early B resto, get the wings off and can see what to look out for, but trust me your arches and inner wings look mint compared to mine (before your welding obviously) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vauxsenb Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 On the subject of black with chrome bumpers, here is my mates Cavvy to give you an idea . . . Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 Have finally got round to removing the n/s wing. Decided to repair this one as its not too bad after grinding out the rust. Inner wing surprisingly very good. Only a couple of small holes needed welding up. All seam sealed and primed now. Found a company locally that will shot blast and powder coat alloys at 35 quid a wheel all in! So have decided to not to refurb them myself as I wont be saving that much really and of course a powder coat finish will be a lot more durable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Always use stick on wheel weights with powder coated wheels when you get the tyres balanced, if you put the clip on ones on the clips dig the coating away and the water gets under the coating and the aluminium will fizz up and push the coating off in no time. Also watch kerbing. I stopped using powder coating a while back because it looks good for a couple of years then goes bad if you scuff it, etch primer and spraypaint works for me now plus it shines up better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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