Snagger Posted April 9, 2023 Author Share Posted April 9, 2023 No need - it introduces warping concerns, but these guys have been restoring very crumbly classics (and Classics 😉) for a long time and know their protective products. Besides, the chassis has lasted this long without it. This won’t be used for launching boats or playing in the mud. They are going to remove any rust and then use all sorts of fancy primers and paint before using body coloured Raptor, applied smooth, to the entire shell and black to the chassis, suspension and axles. Just about impervious and no need for covering with messy waxes or goos. The shop hate Schultz and the like. So, it should end up extremely resilient but also pretty and not too difficult to clean up or work on. I’ll have the cavities waxed, though, where paint can’t reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted April 9, 2023 Author Share Posted April 9, 2023 One thing the restoration boss and driver couldn’t believe when they collected it - those tyres haven’t been topped up in a decade. I’ve never seen tyres hold pressure that well; I have to check them every couple of weeks out here, whichever brand I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 This is all very exciting!! No temptation for anything resto-mod like? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThreePointFive Posted April 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2023 On 4/8/2023 at 12:11 PM, Snagger said: This is the sort of stuff they do more on. Pure porn. Pure filth. Great to see updates on this, different to see it being done by the professionals but gives it a slightly Harry's Garage feel. No bad thing. I think you're going to end up with something incredibly special. Even if it is a diesel. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 Snagger Metcalfe? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted April 10, 2023 Author Share Posted April 10, 2023 11 hours ago, ThreePointFive said: Pure filth. Great to see updates on this, different to see it being done by the professionals but gives it a slightly Harry's Garage feel. No bad thing. I think you're going to end up with something incredibly special. Even if it is a diesel. Their work is incredible, so despite the financial pain of having it done by such a company, the final reward should be more satisfying as it’ll be to a way higher standard than I could have done. I expect it to be noticeably better than the same coloured, highly tuned sister car shown on Harry’s Garage. As for the diesel, and Steve’s question on whether I am tempted to do any resto-mod stuff, not really. The Tdi doesn’t sound great for a RR, but it pulled well with the R380 (they are terrible with a ZF), and the head was modified by Turner Engineering when they did the engine (original, not exchange) 10 years ago, so it should pull. I added the bulk of the aircon system (factory parts) a while back, and these guys will finish that off. I also added seat heating and a heated screen using factory parts from SE models, and the previous owner added police spec rear springs and De Carbon dampers that give it a good ride without the usual wallow and a slightly raked stance like an early RRS. That is as far as I’ll go on the visible mods. The rear floor being bolted in, and likewise the radiator panel being removable like the early RRCs (I asked for studs to be brazed to the underside of the centre panel, nuts under the headlamp panels, so it unbolts invisibly and looks like how it was made) and installing ATBs are invisible and don’t change the character at all. The guys did say that almost all Classics are being restored with late V8s and modified ZF 4HP22s or 24s, but that wouldn’t be my car, would take something away from an uncommon spec vehicle and would also cost a bucket load more cash to build and drive in the future. So, I’m keeping the identifiable characteristics and as much of the original vehicle as possible - the original engine and head were done, the original gear box is being rebuilt, and I’ll be using the original diff casings and gears for the ATBs. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Nice project - looking at their workshop and its contents I'd be inclined to think they should be up to the job! I understand the reasoning behind not galving the chassis and using the raptor stuff on the body, is there any risk of the raptor stuff doing what other semi-rigid (i.e non-waxy/oily) coatings do and allowing water underneath through any small holes or scrapes? I've seen a lot of people use it on off-roaders and I know the yanks love to throw it around pickup beds but not seen much about its performance as a serious long-lived coating like this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 8 minutes ago, FridgeFreezer said: Nice project - looking at their workshop and its contents I'd be inclined to think they should be up to the job! I understand the reasoning behind not galving the chassis and using the raptor stuff on the body, is there any risk of the raptor stuff doing what other semi-rigid (i.e non-waxy/oily) coatings do and allowing water underneath through any small holes or scrapes? I've seen a lot of people use it on off-roaders and I know the yanks love to throw it around pickup beds but not seen much about its performance as a serious long-lived coating like this. Retropower have been through it on their YouTube. The blasted/raptor-ed panel was then scratched through to the metal and the salt spray test was canned at something like 3000hrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 That was zinc metal sprayed as well, not just raptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 33 minutes ago, Bowie69 said: That was zinc metal sprayed as well, not just raptor. Well remembered! Knew I was forgetting something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 On 4/12/2023 at 1:55 PM, Bowie69 said: That was zinc metal sprayed as well, not just raptor. Yep. This RR won’t see any significant off-roading, which may seem a sin to some. Maybe some mountain tracks or woodland paths, but laning trips and the like would be done in the 109. Mind you, some of the pot holes I saw when visiting these guys the other day make driving on road as rough as any green lane these days. Raptor over the top of the various primers and paints should do a good job. It’s only a few parts of chassis or axles that tend to get abraded off road, and they are easily accessible for repainting should that be needed. The shell and the bulk of the chassis only suffer from stone chipping, which thorough preparation, strong primers and the Raptor should almost completely prevent. Having a smooth and dry surface, they should also be easy to clean, so eliminating caked on mud or salt. At worst, it might start getting a little surface rust a way down the line and need a coat of wax, but it managed 30 years so far with only mild surface rust patches and far inferior protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 I thought there was more… 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Snagger Posted April 20, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 20, 2023 The chassis has been stripped bare and is waiting for blasting. The suspension and axles will get the same. The body panels are almost finished with the guide coat on the polyester primer and a shell panel list has been drawn up. The rear body cross member isn’t on it, and though it is good externally, I know it’s crusty inside, so I’ll be querying that. Another big invoice, though… 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L19MUD Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Snagger said: The chassis has been stripped bare and is waiting for blasting. The suspension and axles will get the same. The body panels are almost finished with the guide coat on the polyester primer and a shell panel list has been drawn up. The rear body cross member isn’t on it, and though it is good externally, I know it’s crusty inside, so I’ll be querying that. Another big invoice, though… Watching this with interest to see how professionals do it. I wish I managed to keep my work areas as clean as that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 4 minutes ago, L19MUD said: Watching this with interest to see how professionals do it. I wish I managed to keep my work areas as clean as that! It seems to be much as seen on Retropower’s YouTube videos, but without all the modifications. There is some fabrication to repair rusted panels, but the sills, front wheel arches and head light mountings will all be new. The boot floor is being replaced with modified new Discovery floors. So, not much English a wheel work, but the rest is comparable. They probably do that level of fabrication for some of the rarer classics with panels that are unavailable. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreePointFive Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 11 minutes ago, L19MUD said: Watching this with interest to see how professionals do it. I wish I managed to keep my work areas as clean as that! Completely agree, please keep the updates coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 *taking notes for when I eventually get round to my 2-door* 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Snagger said: I thought there was more… This reminds me of a set of Airfix model panels 😁 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 21 minutes ago, mickeyw said: This reminds me of a set of Airfix model panels 😁 I want to see the giant tin of Humbrol to go with it! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 The interior has been fully stripped out, the boot floor removed (probably just lifted off by the look of the flanges, though it had been good where it attached to the rear cross member), outer panels and roof have been repaired and prepared for paint. They are waiting for delivery of the replacement shell parts before going much further. The chassis was due back from blasting yesterday, but apparently the weather caused delays. Due to a change in circumstances, I have told them to sort out the interior trim issues too - the fabric on the front seat bases separated from the backing fabric because of the seat heaters getting too hot, the steering wheel stitching needs replacement and I asked about bolt side boxes and parcel shelf reflocked. Also enquired about having them do the axle rebuilds which I had intended to do myself later. We’ll see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 … 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 … 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 Even made a roll-around jig for it, that's proper work... I might have to steal that idea if I ever get round to mine! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 1 hour ago, FridgeFreezer said: Even made a roll-around jig for it, that's proper work... I might have to steal that idea if I ever get round to mine! Not just body trollies but tracks into the paint booth. Clearly going to be a high quality renovation and as others have said it will be interesting to see it develop and how some of it is done. You must be pretty excited Nick, a very original RRC to start with too. Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 I just paid them a visit. A little bit of progress. They have all the exterior panels repaired and in 2k primer. The shell will be getting attention relatively soon, once the few remaining panels have been received. They still need the bulkhead kick panels for the A posts to be reattached to, as the old ones are bad around the bottom edges and under the A-post spot welded flanges, and the new floor, which is being made as a new complete panel as per factory spec, not a pair of Discovery floors welded together. This is an imminent new product from the same supplier as the other panels, which all look extremely good. It’ll be made removable in my case, as will the original slam panel between the new headlamp mountings. The chassis is back from blasting. I wasn’t concerned about it, but they want to remove the few spots of slight rust pitting and the Solihull weld spatter before preparing and painting it, but it is rust free and didn’t need any repairs at all. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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