My first build: Kobra

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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.

Anyway, back to the build ...

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I used a 50L 'hobby' compressor to spray the car <-- a big mistake

From a distance (with squinty eyes) it doesn't look bad for a base coat ...



But on closer inspection, there are imperfections all over the body.

This was because:

1. My compressor was not powerful enough, it failed to atomise the paint consistently, and instead, randomly 'spat' the paint onto the body
2. I am newbie without the proper skills or knowledge for such a task
3. Several other factors that I am still blissfully unaware of

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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.

Anyway, I had to sand the whole car down again

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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 ...

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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.

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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.

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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.