Oh B*gger

[wheeljack888]

JoolzB said:

So how much effort is it to get the bodyshell lifted. The bits that worry me are the bits you can't get to when waxing or painting (along with the bits detailed in this post). Anybody done it? Would a task like this be overkill and unnecessary.

I'm just in the finishing stages of a body-off restoration on my 1996 Chimaera at the moment. I started it in June this year not really intending for it to be a full restoration but a service, cleanup & paint and fitting new shocks. But after inspecting round decided the wishbones needed shotblasting, then I found out the rear crank seal needed replacing which meant taking the gearbox out, also I wasn’t happy with the job I was getting by cleaning wirebrushing & painting. So I thought sod it just do the lot. This is what I found out:






As you can see it is mainly surface rust, probably never waxoyled before I bought it, but a couple of years down the line with no treatment it probably would have needed welding. There is no way I could have got to all the areas without taking the chassis out. I was therefore very glad I took the plunge. I then got it shotblasted, prepped it in a zinc phosphate solution, and painted in 2 coats of POR15 silver then 2 coats of POR15 black topcoat.



I decided not to get it powdercoated because I wasn’t impressed with the job on my mates Locost racer, too many inaccessible areas that didn’t get painted. Also I heard great things about POR15 on here and the caterham lads.



It’s now starting to take shape with the chassis, engine & diff back in but there is still lots of fiddly jobs to get done which will take another few evenings and weekends. So have 5 months and a lost summer off the road been worth it? I really hope so!

Cheers

Phil


>> Edited by wheeljack888 on Wednesday 20th October 00:39

[loose cannon]

exceptional effort sir

[JoolzB]

wheeljack888, that's a superb effort! The chassis doesn't look that bad but you can see where its got surface rust in some of the inaccessible areas. I'm sure the effort is worth it and if the POR15 stuff is as good as people say you'll never have to do it again.

Just out of interest how many hours would you estimate to get the chassis off. My car isn't garaged at the mo but I'm trying to get a new house with one so it'd be a nice winters project.

Well done on taking the pics aswell, very useful.

[groucho]

All I can say, he must know what he's doing. Wish I had the facilities and skill to do things like that.

Grouch.

[wheeljack888]

Thanks guys. Sorry for the late reply but work is cracking down on internet usage.

In all it has probably took me 150 hours so far and still counting. It has been only done on weekends and evenings, apart from a morning and afternoon to get the chassis to and from the shotblasters. I've not worked on it solidly but my social life has taken a bit of a dive.

One thing I have learned to be is a contortionist because I'm doing it in a single garage! Much of the kit has been borrowed like the engine crane and large axle stands, although I do some kit built up over the years. The body was lifted to 20" between floor and underbody, dropped 1" on to the timber body supports that I created, the chassis was dropped on to highload castors, engine lifted up, then the chassis rolled out. Also you can see from above I turned my lounge into a paintshop for August bank holiday weekend (Can only do this because I'm 28 and single!) These pictures show the timber supports:




I initially tried supporting the body at six points but the body is so stiff I could remove the centre points.

JoolzB I see from your profile your in Southend, I'm in Billericay so if you want those front body supports your more than welcome to them.

>> Edited by wheeljack888 on Thursday 21st October 23:38

[JoolzB]

wheeljack888 said:

JoolzB I see from your profile your in Southend, I'm in Billericay so if you want those front body supports your more than welcome to them.

Damn, I thought for a moment you were gonna say you had a spare 5 months to paint it for me. Thanks for the offer of the supports I appreciate it. Would love to give it a go but will def have to wait until I get the new house + garage before I even contemplate it.

TBH thinking about the work involved and the level of expertise I think it's a bit beyond me if I'm being realistic.

cheers
JoolzB

[Ballistic Banana]

JoolzB said:

wheeljack888 said: JoolzB I see from your profile your in Southend, I'm in Billericay so if you want those front body supports your more than welcome to them. Damn, I thought for a moment you were gonna say you had a spare 5 months to paint it for me. Thanks for the offer of the supports I appreciate it. Would love to give it a go but will def have to wait until I get the new house + garage before I even contemplate it. TBH thinking about the work involved and the level of expertise I think it's a bit beyond me if I'm being realistic. cheers JoolzB

Joolz, Theres plenty of us with 95-97 Griffiths on here that will all be needing a boody off at some time prehaps.

So we could have a body off tour and help eacjh other out

BB

[wheeljack888]

JoolzB said:

Damn, I thought for a moment you were gonna say you had a spare 5 months to paint it for me. Thanks for the offer of the supports I appreciate it. Would love to give it a go but will def have to wait until I get the new house + garage before I even contemplate it. TBH thinking about the work involved and the level of expertise I think it's a bit beyond me if I'm being realistic. cheers JoolzB

No problem, I think they will make an excellent pair of bird tables!

Good luck with finding your new house.

Cheers

Phil

[andy43]

You've left your lights on

Seriously though, what a top job Looks beautiful all painted up, corrosion in your pics doesn't look as bad as mine was either. All credit to you for having the balls to D-I-Y. Think I'd be on for a D-I-V-O-R-C-E tho' if I converted the lounge to a spray shop How long did it take to get rid of the POR-15 smell?