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Today I took off the screen and finally moved into the "end game" phase!
I enjoyed the work for a change, because I know with the windscreen at least, I am almost done.
I put what I hope is the last of the filler on it, and will leave it til tomorrow to really harden well.
I am looking into having the screen surround chromed, as per the XKSS,
and have rung several chroming companies, but as soon as I mention "filler"
they cannot do it.
I have rung several companies who advertise that they are able to chrome plastics and the like, but as yet, no one has a tank large enough for my screen to fit into.
They only do "small" things.
I am being forced into looking at companies that advertise the "chrome painting service".
I have discarded the idea of having it "chrome wrapped" as with the soft top going on and off a lot, it would not last very long.
If anyone out there knows a company that can chrome a steel windscreen surround about 4 feet X 1.5 feet ( which is painted, and has filler present)
I would be overjoyed to share your secret!!
Alternatively, if anyone has had stuff "chrome painted" successfully, I would love to hear from you too.
Chrome will only stick to metal, same with powder coat.
There is a company in Chertsey called VMC who vacuum plate plastic with chrome and I have and a few parts done in the past. Very helpful although your part may be to big. Be aware that any imperfection will be magnified, a speck of dust looks like a mountain.
Could you have it chrome wrapped and they painted with a clear 2k laquer? Not sure if the wrap would melt but if it could be sprayed it should make it as tough as paint.
I have also used RSchrome in Manchester who have plated a lot of motorcycle parts for me and compared with most platers are very reasonable.
You could see if they could plate it if you dig all the filler out and lead load it but again i'm not sure if they would be able to plate it.
Otherwise there are many paints that are close to aluminium which is probably the closest you will get and not too expensive.
The filler on the back of the screen looks quite thick, the screen surround will probably flex if you have a tight fitting roof, you maybe better using grp to fill it with the thinest layer of filler possible on top.
Jag TVR, The filler is only hiding the welding, so it wouldn't really matter if it had hairline cracks. Also, the screen surround is so slim, by the time the rubber is in place, there is only a strip either side which shows on the inside, and that will be painted black most likely, or covered in red leather.
As I said, I have discounted chrome wrap, as it would strip off too easily when the soft top went on and off a few times.
I have spoken to the companies that are able to chrome plastic, and they first spray the object to be chromed with an electricly
conductive paint, usually copper-based, then it is chromed, as the chrome will adhere to that coating, as, if you like, the chrome is "fooled" into thinking it is in fact metal.
The main problem is that my screen is too large to fit in their tanks, (so they tell me)
Its beginning to look like a chrome paint job I fear.......
Thanks for that Paul, yes you are right there, I have taken so much trouble to get a lot of the things right, and to have a screen the same colour as the body would be (for me) a huge no-no.
Even if I have to paint it myself, it HAS to be silver coloured.
Of course chrome would be ideal, but that looks to be not on the cards for me, Boo-Hoo. :-)
Paul and Landmannnn, thanks for your input I'll take a look in that area.
WCA, I HAVE to assume you are taking the piss, surely you would not have left yourself so wide open?? You are really asking for it, but I won't go there! :-)
The plastic strips look really nice on your car, I think they suit it well, it was made for them, well done.
Four days ago, when I finished filling and sanding the bonnet, afterwards I looked at it and was reasonably pleased that I had a better fit than before, and it that was "acceptable" to me.
Today I had a re-think, and came up with the fact that after all the "attention to detail" stuff I have done so far, a "reasonable fit" and a "better fit than before" was really not what I wanted at all.
I wanted a perfect fit, and four hours later, after much more filling ,sanding and messing around I have it.
Now I am genuinely happy with a clear conscience!
I did not take any pictures as they would have looked exactly like the ones I posted before.
I now look like a dusty miller, who's been working in a busy flour-mill for a month without a shower.
Except that unlike Dusty, I'm going to have one now.
I feel a bit mean not posting any pictures, so here is one to be getting on with, I stripped and rubbed down the boot lid, while waiting for the filler to harden, and then put it in primer ready for the big day, here is a pic:
This is a replica Scottie, A very good one. It was owned and built by the owner of the unit I used to rent, my friend Steve Guy. I drove it once, about 2 miles, my left leg went to sleep being pushed against the trans tunnel, not comfy!
I had another small setback yesterday, when I welded the captive nuts on the inside of the drivers windscreen side, I was aware at the time that one bolt was 2mm longer than the other.
Being too lazy to cut it off, I put the longer one in the bottom, and the shorter one in the top hole.
When bolted up tightly they were fine.
The screen is on and off a lot for different work related reasons, and when I put it on last, I forgot about the different length bolts.
This was a BIG mistake, as when I bolted them tight, the longer bolt in the shorter hole forced the steel outward cracking the filler on the outside, and making a lump appear!
Oh dear! back to proverbial, and its now all done yet again.
It really does make one think if the damned thing will ever be finished!
I have not put the screen back on the car yet, and will not until I have trimmed the offending bolt, which I should have done in the first place.
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