It had to come....questions from a new wedge owner

[laup99]

I'm getting to understand and enjoy this wedge owning lark!!!!

Have a list of things to do on my new wedge....Thought I would pop out for a quick spin for 10 minutes before cracking on...3 hours later I return home, after taking my mate out for a quick spin....Fantastic...other half not happy though!!!

Anyway my questions if any of you would be so kind as to offer your advice:

1 . Stone chips - best way to tackle, what to use?? (see profile pic...needs doing!!! )

2. Headlamp ring/Cowl ? Missing black plastic ring that goes around light. Are they easy to get hold of? and where from?

every thing else I think I have covered....

Thanks in advance every one who replies...

Hopefully see you at the Ace Cafe this Friday.

P.S. I managed to do number 1 on my list.....I cleaned the car!!!!

[wedg1e]

1. Paint is always my favourite.

2. If you find any, let the rest of us know where

All the ones I've seen look like they were butchered from something else...

[bobfrance]

1) On the picture in your profile, it looks like it's the bumper that's worse for wear. I which case just repaint the bumper in it's entirety.

2) If you've only got one headlight cowl, just take it off so both headlights match.
I didn't have any on my old 280i FHC, but I (obviously) only used the lights in the dark so nobody noticed.
My latest wedge has the cowls on, but you're not having them! Unless you make me a good offer for the entire car

Bob.

[laup99]

Cheers guys.....

So being glass fibre is there any diffrent way to prepare the car for painting?? and I assume that normal acrylic based car paint is ok or is there anything else any one would recomend??

I take it touch up pens are no use for small spots??

And is it worth me getting a quote from a mobile stone chip guy....??? Are they any good??? or will I save vast amounts doing it my self???

As for the cowls....I get it...Dont' put your lights on in the day time...And if i do find one count myself lucky...there like hens teeth.

Bob...I'm half tempted with the weather like today...only I couldn't drive round in a car with both cowls intact....Wouldn't feel right and would upset the balance of the car surley!!!

[wedg1e]

Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway!

But I bet your sills don't look like this:

[dexy]

havent you done that yet ian what you been upto all day !well rear suspension all put back on the Granny ;bushes fitted ney probs .its starting to look more like a car ..
neil

[wedg1e]

dexy said:

havent you done that yet ian what you been upto all day !well rear suspension all put back on the Granny ;bushes fitted ney probs .its starting to look more like a car .. neil

Excellent! Worth missing a ride out for...

[wedg1e]

laup99 said:

Cheers guys..... So being glass fibre is there any diffrent way to prepare the car for painting?? and I assume that normal acrylic based car paint is ok or is there anything else any one would recomend?? I take it touch up pens are no use for small spots?? And is it worth me getting a quote from a mobile stone chip guy....??? Are they any good??? or will I save vast amounts doing it my self???

The trouble with stone chips is that you get fixated with them and overlook the overall condition of the car. Find a good match for the paint, use a modellers paint brush and take your time to fill the chips in. Use the money saved for petrol
You'll soon have more chips anyway...
As for painting fibreglass, it's much the same as painting anything else. Preparation is key. Modern paints should be OK (you'll struggle to get cellulose now anyway... )

Have a look at my profile pic and you'll see a massive scar across the front spoiler of my 390SE; I fixed it with materials from :cough: Halfords... though getting a match for the paint was an ar53-on, tuns out it's a Lancia colour...

Edit: Ah no, you won't see the scar: I Photoshopped the pic, I remember now


>> Edited by wedg1e on Monday 2nd May 00:35

[laup99]

The trouble with stone chips is that you get fixated with them and overlook the overall condition of the car. Find a good match for the paint, use a modellers paint brush and take your time to fill the chips in. Use the money saved for petrol



>> Edited by wedg1e on Monday 2nd May 00:35[/quote]


I take it the picture of the car with the rotten chassis had no stone chips at all then!!! Spent to long concentrating on the chips and forgot about the rest of the car!!

Thanks for the advice Ian....looks like a yearly job. Just need to find piant to match my car...shouldn't be to tricky. Sort out the chips...watch the car collect some more and do it all agian next year.

weather is good...think I'll go out for an hour or 2 to colect some more.

[laup99]

wedg1e said:

Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway! But I bet your sills don't look like this:

I hope not...I spent long enough under the car before handing over the money. Is that your car Ian??

[wedg1e]

laup99 said:

I take it the picture of the car with the rotten chassis had no stone chips at all then!!! Spent to long concentrating on the chips and forgot about the rest of the car!!

You're not too wide of the mark there. There is a large element of TVR owners (as with many other cars) who don't give a monkeys about the crusty bits as long as the shiny bits are OK. Then when they find a problem, they sell it quick. Luckily the guy who owns this one is keen to have it sorted properly.

[HeyAndy]

I'm actually going through the bodywork phase of my restoration which started off due to my rotten outriggers requiring a change. Of all the things I can do, bodywork is my speciality.

If your bumper is speckled with stone chips my advice is to repaint the bumper in its entirety. The fact that it will be separated by the bumper rubber will sort out matching the paint - provided you have got a close match. If you need any tips on what to do, drop me an email.

[laup99]

Cheers Andy.....When i come to spray the bumper I might just do that. Thanks for the advice.

[Uriel]

wedg1e said:

Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway! But I bet your sills don't look like this:

[FHCNICK]

wedg1e said:

Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway! But I bet your sills don't look like this:

some MOT stations are just too picky

[wedg1e]

Uriel said:

wedg1e said: Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway! But I bet your sills don't look like this:

That scraper is showing that the plate is no longer attached to the front section of the sill tube...
The other side is the same....

[Uriel]

[andy390]

wedg1e,
glad to see its the same with all paint codes on TVR's
Myself and Paul(gsx600) have been having a 'mare trying to get paint for our wedges. His 400SE is TVR AZURE blue,same as mine, and we both have the same paint code under the bonnet,which is utterly useless!!
ICI have a TVR Azure blue, its not the same paint code, but its nothing like our blue!. the closest match i found other than the Ford Azure, was another ford Gemini Blue.
Am trying to get my front and rear bumper resprayed.

[petej280+2]

wedg1e said:

Bl00dy hell, there's an almost identical 280 to that sat in my driveway! But I bet your sills don't look like this:

funny old thing... mine are the same.... but hopefully not for too long now, hoping to get on the road later this year (or early next!!) .... check out the photos at the link below...

http://community.webshots.com/user/tasmin280

[nads]

The closest match to my old white FHC turned out to be 'appilance white'- the stuff you use on a fridge!!!