MadaboutKitcars

It's been a while but managed to get some filling done on the rear panel. It's. It perfect but a glaze ontop should make it smooth as glass hopefully

Oh, how I miss those days of filling and rubbing, filling and rubbing, filling and..........

Yep. Never ending ! Still filling and Sanding and filling and sanding. Didn't actually realise how many imperfections are in the kit. Just when I think I've finished one section you notice more holes and dints. I know I'm getting there but gosh it's taking forever ! At least I managed to break off and attach the rear hinges and lock to the boot lid.

Looking good that man



Dave

Thanks Dave. I know theres lots still to do at the paint shop to get the smooth finish but i guess more i can do the cheaper it'll be.... hopefully !

Managed to get the car out to turn round and start the front.

It is looking great, crack on.

Cheers. Yep still lots to do, hopefully we will see some sunshine soon and I can get some good full days in !

So with this nice weather managed to get filling and sanding on the front light pods. One side had no shape at all really and they both didn't match so done my best to match these up. Also started fitting the bonnet which also needed a little filler around the front edges but will also need sanding a little at the side and back to give good space when painted

Finally see some light from the end of the tunnel with all the filling and sanding. It's not perfect but will leave that to the body shop, but I've done all I can and to be fair it looks pretty good, just difficult to tell with it being Matt.

Try a coat or two of rattle can primer, will then show up any holes and dips

I would 2nd that. A lot of the builds I've read about all have similar results when doing that... you think it looks great in primer, add a fine layer of contrasting colour over the top (ie. black), lightly sand and then realise just how wobbly all the panels actually were. Seems well worth doing, as the last thing you want is the paint shop re-shaping a line to smooth it out, and not following the lines you wanted.

Managed to get the car out today, took me hours to adjust the suspension to get the wheels to fit which they only just do at the rear, still not sure about height at front but will have to check vs speed bumps so it at least clears. Still lots to do before going to the paint shop but added all the lights and trimmings just need to add some mesh around the front back and sides. Really pleased with how things are going and looking forward to getting the inside done too.

Let me fix that photo for you.



Good luck, Paul.

Lol oops never even noticed it was upside down

Hi, can I ask how you have fixed your headlamp buckets? Have you just screwed in to the fibreglass or have you fitted spring clips or other retainers?

Also, I have the chrome finishing rings to fit over the headlamp, but if I position the headlamp buckets correctly, the retaining screw is on the bottom, meaning that I can tighten it. There must be a way but I'm not seeing it.

Hi. I just drilled small holes and then screwed the buckets into the fibreglas, will add some clips at the rear once all painted just to add a little security. For the chrome ring just drill a hole at the bottom then you can get a screwdriver up from underneath. Hope that makes sense.see pic.

Hi. Get the chrome rings that attach without the screw!!!
They simply clip on , with the aide of a 15p (approx) spring clip. Available from europa spares (and others)

Thanks to you both. I'll take a look at the Europa parts.

Another silly question. In the opening for the front grille, there are two infill pieces either end. I guess they are strengthening, but I think I need to cut them to get the grille on. Should I remove them completely or just try to cut slots for the grille fixings?

I removed them, rubbed and shaped it all smooth, threw the trim away and fitted mesh behind the opening. A lot less fussy / messy and neat

So just got a small update. Put some trim around each side of the frame to attach a rubber to the windows which works perfectly. Next job is getting the car in for final prep and painting, which seems to be a little difficult at the moment, getting some crazy quotes from £7k, 4K and even 5k which is crazy for the amount of work I've put in. Quotes are just based off pictures so don't believe are accurate. Would have loved Jeff at Hilltop motors to do the job but he's busy for 18months which is too long to wait as I was really wanting the car in and finished off for summer. In the meantime going to leave all the smal bits of body work and get started on taking the interior out and refreshed.

So managed to finally get what looks to be a good garage to get the car sprayed up. Unfortunately now an expert has had a look there’s lots of lines out and lots of ripples in the body work which means a possible full coal of filler which means most of my work has been in vain. Going to get regular updates and pics and hopefully the car will be ready to come back home for Christmas.

Better to find out now rather than later.

Hi Mark,

If you used Wayne then you chose wisely, I have just seen the pics and the car looks stunning.

Please share Wayne's details (that sounds bad)