My 1971 TVR 2500 restoration
Discussion
About a year ago I purchased a 1971 TVR 2500 (not the M version) and starting early this year we began the restoration process.
The car had, had a rough life and for the previous 15 years and (from my understanding) it had been baking in a field somewhere in the southern United States. By the time I purchased the car most of the paint (as well as the body) had become quite brittle and the body had about three layers of paint which needed to be stripped.
About three weeks ago i had the car media blasted to remove all the old layers of paint, and I was pleased to find that there were no major areas of damage to the car or the frame. But we did find that the body itself had become quite brittle and that there were a fair amount of stress cracks (I'm sure that this is fairly common). And these stress cracks, as well as the brittle nature of the body in general pose some questions that I was hoping that you would be willing to help me with.
There are a number of small areas on the body that will need to be filled and repaired. And the final coat of paint, as well as the primer that we use are all issues that I want to make sure we address properly. Also because the car has become so brittle over time I also want to make sure that whatever materials we use are as forgiving and flexable as possible.
Could you tell me if there are particular brands and names of products that you use in the UK, for restoring older TVR body's that you feel would be the best to use considering the condition and age of the car (as I've described it)?
And also if you think that these products won't be available in the US, do you know of any comparable products that would be available here?
Most of the material's I'm talking about are:
What fibre glass resin compound to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
What fibre glass matting material to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
What primer coat to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
And what final paint material to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
The other issue is, is there any way you could describe the mixture of resins necessary to be sure that the matting material will adhere to the old fibre glass? And is there any way you know to make sure that we can stop the progression of stress cracks that are already on the car?
Any help you could offer, I'd really appreciate. There are very few people remaining here in the US that are familiar with the car and it's been a real struggle trying to find the answers.
Fred Schoonbeck
2782 Coit NE
Grand Rapids MI USA
49505
Tele: 616-364-8614
The car had, had a rough life and for the previous 15 years and (from my understanding) it had been baking in a field somewhere in the southern United States. By the time I purchased the car most of the paint (as well as the body) had become quite brittle and the body had about three layers of paint which needed to be stripped.
About three weeks ago i had the car media blasted to remove all the old layers of paint, and I was pleased to find that there were no major areas of damage to the car or the frame. But we did find that the body itself had become quite brittle and that there were a fair amount of stress cracks (I'm sure that this is fairly common). And these stress cracks, as well as the brittle nature of the body in general pose some questions that I was hoping that you would be willing to help me with.
There are a number of small areas on the body that will need to be filled and repaired. And the final coat of paint, as well as the primer that we use are all issues that I want to make sure we address properly. Also because the car has become so brittle over time I also want to make sure that whatever materials we use are as forgiving and flexable as possible.
Could you tell me if there are particular brands and names of products that you use in the UK, for restoring older TVR body's that you feel would be the best to use considering the condition and age of the car (as I've described it)?
And also if you think that these products won't be available in the US, do you know of any comparable products that would be available here?
Most of the material's I'm talking about are:
What fibre glass resin compound to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
What fibre glass matting material to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
What primer coat to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
And what final paint material to use (the manufacturer, and supplier, and or what American replacement)?
The other issue is, is there any way you could describe the mixture of resins necessary to be sure that the matting material will adhere to the old fibre glass? And is there any way you know to make sure that we can stop the progression of stress cracks that are already on the car?
Any help you could offer, I'd really appreciate. There are very few people remaining here in the US that are familiar with the car and it's been a real struggle trying to find the answers.
Fred Schoonbeck
2782 Coit NE
Grand Rapids MI USA
49505
Tele: 616-364-8614
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