6 Jul 2019, 8:42pm
Figured it out, thanks!
Almost - My 250 SWB Coupe
12 Aug 2019, 11:48pm
Small update.
Major task!
Decided to completely remove the body and reinstall correctly. Too many work around's to fix from previous "friends" work.
Major task!
Decided to completely remove the body and reinstall correctly. Too many work around's to fix from previous "friends" work.
13 Aug 2019, 9:30am
Oh a 'Major Task!' - sometimes you have to just pull things apart and start again rather than try the easy route. It is often a difficult decision to make but normally results being quicker and the end result better. You would always regret not doing it as well. Good luck.
13 Aug 2019, 9:34am
It has to get worse before it gets better
Are your “friends” helping ?
Are your “friends” helping ?
13 Aug 2019, 12:17pm
Haven't seen or talked to them since I "rescued" my kit.
Currently patching the door skin cut outs I had to make for
mounting the window frames. After that I;ll struggle with removing the body.
Currently patching the door skin cut outs I had to make for
mounting the window frames. After that I;ll struggle with removing the body.
17 Aug 2019, 8:30pm
body ready to come off today. Had to use a heat gun to carefully
get the adhesive to where I could peel away the fiberglass.
Most difficult were the door jambs that were also bonded.
get the adhesive to where I could peel away the fiberglass.
Most difficult were the door jambs that were also bonded.
18 Aug 2019, 9:54am
Hate the idea of bonding the body on, the convertible all bolts on.
Would it be possible to bond the front of the coupe roof to the header rail of the discarded soft top?
That way the body could be unbolted and the header rail catches simply released?
Would it be possible to bond the front of the coupe roof to the header rail of the discarded soft top?
That way the body could be unbolted and the header rail catches simply released?
18 Aug 2019, 11:17am
Good idea, however, the roll cage brackets would interfere.
It is removed now, and working on a fiberglass part for a headliner
today, As I'm using the Grassbank rear screen, a new parcel shelf will be created and interior upholstery will follow.
It is removed now, and working on a fiberglass part for a headliner
today, As I'm using the Grassbank rear screen, a new parcel shelf will be created and interior upholstery will follow.
18 Aug 2019, 12:25pm
Sounds like it’s moving in the right direction again ..well done
18 Aug 2019, 2:28pm
Sounds like it’s moving in the right direction again ..well done
It is moving in the right direction, finally!
19 Aug 2019, 10:21pm
Tribute Owners Lunch / Tea Meet
[LEFT][SIZE="6"]Saturday September 7th
Lunch at The Pelican Inn[/SIZE][/LEFT]
[SIZE="4"]Froxfield, on the A4 between Hungerford & Marlborough
[url]www.pelicaninn.co.uk[/url]
We are welcome and booked from 11am with lunch at around 12.30pm
There are two spacious car parks, where we can have a drink and talk Tribute Cars.
Afterwards you / we can drive round a bit of Hampshire to the [/SIZE]
[SIZE="7"][SIZE="6"]Silk Mill at Whitchurch[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE="4"]for tea, overlooking the river Test, last orders 3.30pm.
[url]www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk[/url]
If you are interested the Pelican Inn also has a room or two overnight on the Friday and or Saturday. We are staying there Friday night.
Please let me know if you will attend or at least think about it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="5"]REPLY to Kidge on his site
OR The Owners site
OR PM me
OR email [email]kidge.elder@btinternet.com[/email][/SIZE]
[SIZE="6"][SIZE="7"]Owners Meeting[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[LEFT][SIZE="6"]Saturday September 7th
Lunch at The Pelican Inn[/SIZE][/LEFT]
[SIZE="4"]Froxfield, on the A4 between Hungerford & Marlborough
[url]www.pelicaninn.co.uk[/url]
We are welcome and booked from 11am with lunch at around 12.30pm
There are two spacious car parks, where we can have a drink and talk Tribute Cars.
Afterwards you / we can drive round a bit of Hampshire to the [/SIZE]
[SIZE="7"][SIZE="6"]Silk Mill at Whitchurch[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE="4"]for tea, overlooking the river Test, last orders 3.30pm.
[url]www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk[/url]
If you are interested the Pelican Inn also has a room or two overnight on the Friday and or Saturday. We are staying there Friday night.
Please let me know if you will attend or at least think about it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="5"]REPLY to Kidge on his site
OR The Owners site
OR PM me
OR email [email]kidge.elder@btinternet.com[/email][/SIZE]
20 Aug 2019, 8:56pm
Molleur - It is a real shame that you have had to take so many backwards steps with this build. 
So, hopefully, this is the last major fix required and it is all forward progress from here.
Good luck, Paul.
So, hopefully, this is the last major fix required and it is all forward progress from here.
Good luck, Paul.
20 Aug 2019, 9:14pm
Thanks Paul,
It's coming along. Have to make an FRP headliner part.
Experimenting with release methods. PVA attacks the Flex Seal bedliner that was sprayed inside everything. Cling wrap from the kitchen cabinet works but does not "cling" to the bedliner stuff.
experimenting now with some spray adhesive to hold it in place.
It will get there!
It's coming along. Have to make an FRP headliner part.
Experimenting with release methods. PVA attacks the Flex Seal bedliner that was sprayed inside everything. Cling wrap from the kitchen cabinet works but does not "cling" to the bedliner stuff.
experimenting now with some spray adhesive to hold it in place.
It will get there!
21 Aug 2019, 6:18am
Try brown parcel tape. Cheap, will stick to pretty much anything and fibreglass resin won't stick to the shiny side. Does tend to leave wrinkles in the surface though, so moulded items do need more finishing.
21 Aug 2019, 10:31am
Tried some clear parcel tape, resin went through it. I'll pick up some brown and give it a go.
Weather has been rain all day, almost everyday for weeks now. Holding me up a bit.
Weather has been rain all day, almost everyday for weeks now. Holding me up a bit.
21 Aug 2019, 12:51pm
+1 for Mr T’s brown parcel tape suggestion.
I’ve used that on everything from a yoga mat…
To cereal box cardboard…
To modelling mesh…
If the spray adhesive doesn’t work, perhaps some duct tape might?
( Joined in circles with the sticky side out. )
If you are making a headliner, can you put the bodyshell (carefully/supported) on its roof?
That way, the weight of the fibreglass matting going on will help keep everything in place.
Good luck, Paul.
I’ve used that on everything from a yoga mat…
To cereal box cardboard…
To modelling mesh…
If the spray adhesive doesn’t work, perhaps some duct tape might?
( Joined in circles with the sticky side out. )
If you are making a headliner, can you put the bodyshell (carefully/supported) on its roof?
That way, the weight of the fibreglass matting going on will help keep everything in place.
Good luck, Paul.
21 Aug 2019, 3:53pm
plan is to invert the body. have stands made to support it.
I'll figure it out. The brown parcel tape is proving difficult to find here.
I'll figure it out. The brown parcel tape is proving difficult to find here.
21 Aug 2019, 4:31pm
If you get really stuck, PM me your address and I send a roll (or two) in the post to you.
21 Aug 2019, 5:05pm
Much appreciate the offer Paul, but I'll continue to search here.
Which brand do you use?
The postage to the USA would be several times the cost of the damned tape!
Which brand do you use?
The postage to the USA would be several times the cost of the damned tape!
21 Aug 2019, 10:36pm
21 Aug 2019, 10:54pm
Paul, John,
Thanks for the input. Finally found a tape that works.
local Walmart had it (like your Asda stores). Tested and works well.
I only need around 600 feet of the stuff.
Thanks for the input. Finally found a tape that works.
local Walmart had it (like your Asda stores). Tested and works well.
I only need around 600 feet of the stuff.
22 Aug 2019, 2:24pm
Asda isn't like Walmart because they haven't got a gun and ammo isle !
22 Aug 2019, 3:21pm
Asda isn't like Walmart because they haven't got a gun and ammo isle !
so true!
6 Sep 2019, 5:27pm
Update
Body is now completely removed without damage. Getting loose from the bonding compound required a lot of patience and carefully applied heat. A precision putty knife, reshaped and razor edged was used.
Next task is to await the rear panel that fastens to the bumper support (thanks Chris, again), I was sent the wrong one and it was never used by my "friends" when they bonded the body on.
Meanwhile, I am taping ( thanks for the lead on parcel tape) up the inner roof section to make a headliner hard part. Samples of vinyl on the way.
Delayed by the hurricane, it remained just far enough off-shore to cause no damage here.
I am trying some cross laced chrome true wire wheels 15X7 and plan to run with 205/70/15 tires. May have to do a pie cut at the rear. Easier with the body off anyway.
Had the body on and off several times now as my working space is limited. The temperature right now is a problem. 39 degrees C at the moment. Have to perform my 'glassing outdoors.
Body is now completely removed without damage. Getting loose from the bonding compound required a lot of patience and carefully applied heat. A precision putty knife, reshaped and razor edged was used.
Next task is to await the rear panel that fastens to the bumper support (thanks Chris, again), I was sent the wrong one and it was never used by my "friends" when they bonded the body on.
Meanwhile, I am taping ( thanks for the lead on parcel tape) up the inner roof section to make a headliner hard part. Samples of vinyl on the way.
Delayed by the hurricane, it remained just far enough off-shore to cause no damage here.
I am trying some cross laced chrome true wire wheels 15X7 and plan to run with 205/70/15 tires. May have to do a pie cut at the rear. Easier with the body off anyway.
Had the body on and off several times now as my working space is limited. The temperature right now is a problem. 39 degrees C at the moment. Have to perform my 'glassing outdoors.
7 Sep 2019, 10:08pm
small update today:
had the body supported on stands upsidedown. Five hours to
grind away (most effective method) the Flex Seal crap that had been sprayed on. It is rubberised and nothing sticks to it.
The remaining bonding material simply peeled away. FRP won't stick either!
As I had previously filled the rood vent, the inside "bump" was also cut away and a layer of 'glass matt applied. Because I'm using the Grassbank rear screen, the back of the roof section on the body had lost much rigidity. Another layer of matt on an area a foot wide right across the body and onto the cheeks really stiffened it up. Back on to the headliner fabrication tomorrow.
had the body supported on stands upsidedown. Five hours to
grind away (most effective method) the Flex Seal crap that had been sprayed on. It is rubberised and nothing sticks to it.
The remaining bonding material simply peeled away. FRP won't stick either!
As I had previously filled the rood vent, the inside "bump" was also cut away and a layer of 'glass matt applied. Because I'm using the Grassbank rear screen, the back of the roof section on the body had lost much rigidity. Another layer of matt on an area a foot wide right across the body and onto the cheeks really stiffened it up. Back on to the headliner fabrication tomorrow.