1600 Coupe Restoration.

[MattNoVAT]

After some thought and a quick chat this morning I've decided: After seeing what the wings and front valance look like after shot blasting I want the doors, bonnet, petrol flap and bootlid to be shot blasted too.  (2 x wings, 1 front valance and a rear cross member cost £80)

The added bonus is that this only leaves minimal panels to strip back to bare metal by hand - obviously given my available "spare" time, this works out better for me and appeals to the lazy part of my character!
 

[HFStuart]

Petrol flap???

[MattNoVAT]

Petrol filler cap flap/cover.

[HFStuart]

Yes, I know what it is 

I just don't think I've ever heard of one being shotblasted before!

[MattNoVAT]

Given its small and shot blasting will remove all the paint I reckon it will do a better job than I could do with manual effort.

[MattNoVAT]

The paint stripping has begun.    One of the most boring and labour intensive jobs so far...  even with the assistance of Starchem!!

I have taken the day off work on Thursday to try and get enough done to keep to the schedule of the car going to the bodyshop in December.  

I've decided to purchase a bonded windscreen removal tool so I can get the screens out myself.  Hopefully without damaging them!

Doors, bonnet and boot are all scheduled to be finished being blasted on the 25th - but I'm expecting a few days delay as they are very busy.

I'm getting close to handing it over and the real transformation beginning.

[rossocorsa]

I've decided to purchase a bonded windscreen removal tool so I can get the screens out myself.  

length of cheese wire and a couple of handles??

[MattNoVAT]

The proper tool is not that expensive so will be purchasing one soon as my Paypal account is sorted out (long story)

[MattNoVAT]

Day off work today and put in a solid 7 hours of paint stripping.

It's interesting seeing first hand the quality of the painting that Lancia did, pretty much the only place there is any primer is on the flat panel areas, door shuts etc it's paint direct onto bare metal.

The car is pretty much 50% stripped.... estimate another 10 - 12 hours of work to go before it is ready to be transported to the body shop.

We are starting to discuss actual dates when it will be moved...  14/15th December  

[rossocorsa]

The proper tool is not that expensive so will be purchasing one soon as my Paypal account is sorted out (long story)

strangely the cheese wire and handles is pretty much how lancia suggested you do it! I think i had the tool at home at one time two metal handles which clamp onto a length of wire then saw the screen out 

[MattNoVAT]

I like to think that over time a better tool has been developed, while the cheese wire method no doubt works the later "bladed" tool looks easier to use and less effort too.

[thecolonel]

Be very careful, if the original hot bond wires
are still in place you can snag the cutting wire
and crack the screen, I know, I've done it and
I was 3 cars up in a scrap yard at the time.....

[rossocorsa]

with laminated screens I think it's always a bit of a risk once they are out of their frame sometimes they just crack for no apparent reason probably stress from an old impact 

[joe1999]

Your right there Rossocorsa removed my screen to get to rust wrapped in bubble wrap and stored in my spare room went to put it back in and hello dirty great crack through it for no apparent reason 

[Watshot]

I like to think that over time a better tool has been developed, while the cheese wire method no doubt works the later "bladed" tool looks easier to use and less effort too.

I tried that once Matt, it was a horrendous effort, and eventually I gave up and put a hammer through it. It was easier to clean up and pop a new screen in than persevere with the tool. I'm sure you'll give it a good go, just be prepared for a lot of effort though. Conversley, the rear screen pretty much fell out. Now I think about it, the front had been replaced in the late eighties so maybe the sealent had improved, if yours is the original screen, you never know, it might pop out easy! Of course I made sure that I could get a new screen okay before I went mad, that was about ten years ago and it wasn't a problem then. Any way good luck with it. (I've still got the rear screen if the worst comes to the worst let me know.)

[MattNoVAT]

More paint scraping fun this weekend, no pics because its all just dull monotonous work. Just the drivers side to strip now and it wont come a moment too soon, my right thumb is numb from the constant pressure of the scraper!

Have found a few patches of filler on the rear panel that cover a few historic scrapes!  They are nothing major and seem to have been done pretty well. 

Off to see the bodyshop tonight to confirm transportation date. 

Also arranged a visit Hertforshire to see the re-trimmer on 10th Dec.

[cheeky monkey]

Hi Matt,

enjoy the scraping.

is this a re-trimmer youve used before.? My drivers seat top section is looking a bit sad.  i have a whole new section for the lower seat, so am looking at how to recycle the old lower seat section for bits of the top half - like the the bolster where you get the seat belt and hand grabbing wear if you see what i mean.

i need to have a word with a local upholster but good if youve got anyone else to recommend

g

[MattNoVAT]

Yes, I've used HRS before on my Hawk Stratos.

Finish wise I was very very happy with the result but like most things you get what you pay for. I did not think they were outrageously expensive given the end result.

If your happy to wait then you'll get to see results when they do my burnt orange interior.

Getting some feeling back in the thumb today do will turn the car around and finish the other side.

Car booked for transport to body shop on 15th December

I do love a deadline!!

[redvxcoupe]

Hi Matt,
Regarding interior....I'm still on to re-trim my S1 silver Coupe.... 
Looking forward to se your burnt orange interior.
Have you mentioned my gold Series 2 interior with piping (if possible) for the re-trimmer?
Maybe I would go for orange if that's easier price wise / delivery time

Tore

[MattNoVAT]

Hi Tore

I have not forgotten!!

I will most likely have two interiors retrimmed in burnt orange.  

I will be asking about the gold too and also be saving the gold material from the interior that's fitted at the moment.