®evo03 Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Mike, whats happening with the quarters etc, all ready painted? Are they getting another coat? Interesting method how are the doors gonna catch up in paint coats? i read somewhere, even after baking, paint isnt fully cured for a few weeks. great job, looking very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 (edited) The wings are now going to stay on, the doors are coming off as will the bonnet, the rear quarters at the moment only have one coat of 2K along with the outside of the shell. The whole shell will get another 3-4 coats of 2K and the doors, boot and bonnet will be put on stands and given the same number of top coats. Front and back bumpers sprayed separately as they are plastic and the rubber boot spoiler sprayed with plasticiser added. When the black gutter detail will be added I’m unsure but I have explained the masking lines, I went and looked at an exclusive coupe for this information and the location of the skirts gap below sill level as I couldn’t find decent pictures on the internet. I have requested that the painter keeps some polar white paint for me from his spray gun for touching up stone chips later on, not that I want any!! I will be keen to fit the GTE Decals, as I think these finish off the car but I’m going to wait a good while before fitting just to make sure the paint has cured. Edited April 19, 2019 by Mike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 This car is going to be better than original, keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted April 27, 2019 Author Share Posted April 27, 2019 I was hoping to get a phone call on Friday to tell me to come and pick up my Manta on Saturday morning, but no such call, I went in past the bodyshop (today) Saturday morning for a progress report, they have been busy with insurance work all week so no progress on the Manta, front wings stone chipped on the inside and painted polar white to match, sealed into place and fixed with a new pack of wing bolts, the old ones had seen better days, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I like to see the A post and hinge area clean, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. A photo of the inner wing, my Manta is the 1985 “B” registration with no side repeater, indicator on the wing, so no holes or wires needed here. The Manta GT/E decals will go just above the wing crease line, the later cars had to drop the decals below the wing crease as the indicator was mounted above, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. All I can do is wait, I did ask if I could pick her up this coming weekend as it’s the long weekend for May Day, I’ll just have to wait and see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 Hope you'll have it soon back in your garage, have the same problem with my bodyworker. But I had a nice talk with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 (edited) Appointment with the spray booth booked for Friday 24th May, as can be seen the paint has all been flatted in preparation. Black detail on gutters and aluminium trims booked in for Saturday morning 25th May, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Looking forward to seeing the paintwork completed, that I’m sure will be the biggest hurdle overcome in this whole restoration, boot lid seam sealed,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Doors seam sealed,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. all panels have now been seam sealed on the joints, the original factory applied sealer was removed when the shell and panels were taken down to bare metal, so now before paint they have the seam sealer re instated. Edited May 23, 2019 by Mike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bris jas Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Looking very nice there Mike, quick question on your door hinge pins. Never seen 2 piece before, is it something you have made or bought? I would think they would be harder to knock in once the door is hung? Always open to new ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Hi bris jas, the door hinge pins was a new set sourced from Autovaux, originally they came as a set of four but my bodyshop has cut them in half and if you look closely they have chamfered the ends so they start easier. The doors have been on and off for fitting a lot and the access is tight when the doors are on, they find it easier working with shorter door pins so as not to mark the Hinge post paint. Put both half’s together and it’s still roughly the same length. Small details like this I spot right away as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Wonderful Mike, I bet minutes seem like hours to you at the moment waiting for the paint to go on?! - not long now though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Too right they do! Every weekend I’m checking for progress photos, to no avail, the bodyshop gave me a date for final spraying, then moved it back a week and gave a new date for a weeks work, car went in and some work done that week but not completed and five weeks on and still waiting, getting the Manta painted has been the difficult job and most time consuming of the build jobs. One thing I can be sure of is they will make a first class paint job, that’s why I’m so patient. heres hoping this weekend............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) True to their word, progress at last, into the spray booth for finishing coats of polar white, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. black trims all prepared for tomorrow,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. bumpers, skirts and my spoiler from Shetland all prepared for paint,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. bonnet and boot all seam sealed, flatted and all good to go,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Doors look nice and shiny,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. manta shell all coated, can’t wait to see her in the flesh all panels, bumpers and skirts fitted,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Front scuttle panel and wing, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. hopefully tomorrow the black gutter detail is applied and the trims finished off. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Edited May 24, 2019 by Mike. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Wasnt this car painted before? Confused? Did something go wrong, looks stunning, flawless, its all downhill from here, its the cleanest you will ever have it, not even a full week of pampering will get it this clean again. Im afraid to ask.... but that has bound to cost a small fortune, regardless it shows the time effort and skill needed to pull it off, fair play Was it painted and flattened, take it next stage is a flat and mop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 Hi evo03, the Manta was into the bodyshop first time on a dolly to get all the underside painted and stone chipped, engine bay finished coated and inside boot Matt black finish, then only one coat on top to keep her from rusting, then I took her home to install engine, running gear etc then now here we are back at the bodyshop a rolling shell for finishing, didn’t want to put a ding in it when I was doing all the heavy engine, box and subframe work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The General Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I think this is probably better than any museum car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Hmm, love that pic of the scuttle panel/wing, one of those details that makes a car. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 (edited) Went in past the bodyshop today to have a look at the black detail that was applied this week along with all the panels fitted,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Under the bonnet all painted but the box section cavity’s will be treated to some wax oil,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. she is now sitting better in height at the back but I still have petrol tank, glass and interior trim so she will still have to settle a little more yet,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. matt blank masking detail on B pillars,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. coupe louvres still to go on,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Matt black masking detail on A pillars,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. front quad light and under bumper trim detail,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. lights to fit yet and adjust beam for MOT, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Original small black rubber bump stop fitted inside petrol flap to keep fuel cap flush with rear quarter,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I’m absolutely delighted with the paint finish and panel gaps, Manta GT/E decals being fitted next week, along with laser wheel alignment, wax oil all cavities, chassis rails, Sean necks, inner wings, sills etc Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Im getting her home next Friday/Saturday weather dependant, got to get her home dry. Boot lip spoiler has turned out really well, fits perfectly, bolt holes treated with wax oil before being fitted,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. again box sections inside boot lid going to be wax oiled,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. new rubber boot seal fitted,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Side skirts and rear arches all fitted, retaining original joints between straight sections and arches,Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Edited May 31, 2019 by Mike. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monaco Blue Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 (edited) Superb! Looks factory fresh! Probably better! 😊 You must be delighted! Edited May 31, 2019 by Monaco Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 She looks a picture Mike, I’m so pleased for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Yep, looking very factory fresh, even opel would be proud of this one, or you have put opel to shame, whatever way you look at it, you will be surprised at now much the glass will pull the height down. Have you any idea of value of this car for your insurance purposes when complete, or a rough estimate at how much it took to get a entry level car to this level of perfection....... it will give other club members an idea of what cars are worth, be it their oen, sellers, buyers or any one else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limeysore Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Wow Mike, that is one fantastic looking car. I think you've moved the restoration bar up a few notches with this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bris jas Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Car looks great Mike, as they say the finish is in the detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 (edited) I am trying to restore as much of the original details as possible, some missing parts have been difficult to find but perseverance always pays off, what I won’t miss when she is complete is the hours lost searching on line, e bay etc trying to find or source parts. I’m hoping to be able to put the mobile away or off every evening and weekend and free up my time to drive her. i have kept a build portfolio of all receipts, records and paperwork associated with purchasing parts, professional labour, materials etc. I haven’t been brave enough yet to tally these up, but I have tried to keep a lid on expenses by doing as much as possible myself then I don’t feel too bad about getting experts on the job for the skills I don’t have. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. its nice to keep a record, all filed in date order, from the receipt of sale up to present, hopefully not a lot more to go in! I have also amassed approx 1500 progress photos again taken from delivery up to present, at every part of the build. Manta GT/E decals looked out for application next week, I think these add a nice contrast to the polar white paint, looking forward to seeing them on, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. engine bay sticker will be added at the same time. Edited June 1, 2019 by Mike. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 - looks like your just coming into the home straight now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1200bandit Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Hi Mike l see your Manta is in polar white.Do you have a paint code for the paint as l am having some difficulty getting the codes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 Hi 1200bandit, the paint code for my Manta is E452 which is polar white, this is located off the VIN PLATE, the later Exclusives had glacier white but I didn’t know the paint code for them. polar white has a warm look, slight touch of cream in it under certain lights, Glacier white is colder looking, pure white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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