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I did toy with the idea of excluding my mistakes from the build thread (I am sure its only natural), and showing you the 'happy path'. However, I am purposely including them so that any other newbie may be able to learn from my mistakes.
Don't get me wrong, I am not proud of them. But, I have learnt from them. I now know my limits, and when to run ... when to walk.
Of course, I shouldn't have attempted spraying my car. I know that now. I guess I wanted to the do the whole build myself. Like I said, I know now where to stop, and pass it to a professional.
Still not prepared to throw the towel in, I swapped out my compressor for a 100L one, still questionably on the low side for spraying - but all that funds would allow.
I mask her off again, and try again ...
What I didn't appreciate, but swiftly learned, is how much space you need to spray a car. I am sure this sounds daft, but it was all new to me.
I certainly could do with more space and a better 'dust free' environment.
But the paint was flowing nicely with the new compressor, the finish looking better ...
And that is how the car stayed for 21 months. I could provide lots of excuses .... work, life, chores, family ... but really, I just got distracted.
2018 came and went. Started to feel guilty around Spring 2019 and finally made my way back into the garage last month, May 2019.
I took the masking off and drove her out of the garage to inspect my handy work nearly 2 years prior. I experienced a 'moment of chuffedness'.
The paintwork is significantly improved from my first attempt. But, to be fair, its not perfect. And I want perfect. I decided (2 years too late) that I need to get her professionally sprayed. But the MoT has lapsed, and I want to be sure there's nought wrong with her, before investing in a spray job.
I cleaned her up, and refit the lights and fittings, and take her for an MoT. I failed on corroded rear brake pipes. I had them replaced and it then passed.
Like the original AC Cobra, I wanted a chrome windscreen surround. I probably should have waited until after the spray job, but decided to do it anyway. The chrome wrap was purchased from ebay for about a tenner.
Also fitted the chrome roll bars behind the seats ...
In this last photo, you can just make out some paint fogging / orange peel on the rear drivers arch. There are a few patches like this. Evidently, I need more practise with the spray gun. But for now, the spray shop will deal with this.
The Kobra is taken for its MOT, fails on a rear brake pipe being corroded (common on these). I fix it, retest it, it passes!! Yay!!
I drive it to the spray shop, have a chat, he laughs at my spray job. I decided against saying "Bob up the road sprayed it for me". It gets booked in for a couple of days time.
I have chosen a similar colour to as it is now, but a little lighter, metallic blue with the 2 white stripes. I provided him with a few reference photos to use for the colour scheme.
Paul, thanks for feedback. I will keep trying with the spraying, but maybe start on my son's bike next time
I can't wait for the phone call saying "Your car is ready to collect". Seven days and counting. Once done, i'll update the build thread (in real time!).
Apparently the spray painting is all about having enough CFM from the compressor rather than the tank volume.
I just ordered a 9.6CFM with spray gun from SGS Engineering - or rather thought I did until a different compressor turned up with a nail gun. About to shout angry things at SGS when I double checked my order. I must have clicked on the wrong picture without realising it. SGS were very nice and agreed to swap for the correct one if I send it back to them.
It has 14.5 CFM which is at the low end of the acceptable 'spray painting' range. I read somewhere to spray paint a car, the compressor would need to output between 14-18 CFM.
Very nice work indeed.
one tip I read/saw with using a budget compressor for spraying, is to use an appropriate sized gun. I think it might have been MCM who said to get one of the little guns used for small details, as it gives a good spray pattern with cheap compressors. it might take a while to spray with the small coverage it does, but for a DIY job that doesnt always matter.
I look forward to seeing the results from the pro paint job
Cheers Barber. I am not sure which is more effort, update as you go, or spend a day updating at once
I am confident the paint job will be good. He's done work for me in the past, and does a cracking job. That said, I haven't had a full respray done with him before, but I am hopeful
I can't wait for the phone call saying "Your car is ready to collect"
I know this feeling so well: I also know that holding my breath isn't an option....
10/10 for grasping the nettle and having a go yourself, it looked a lot better than anything I could have done, that's for sure! I also loved binge reading your build. Once in a while I look back through my Monaco thread and despair at my feebleness when I see some of my huge 'commitment gaps'. Your car is an absolute credit to you and I look forward to seeing it in the flesh.
Nice build, well done ! Like you said with a bit more practice your paint skills will improve, it is a big learning curve !
Like your choice of wheels, not many have been fitted with wires. With some chunky wide tyres they look good on a K/Cobra. Only advise would be to get them spaced in the arches correctly.
