Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

This really nice early Bristol 401 has some paint bubbling and I am interested to know if a total respray is the best /only answer.?

I am sure the dealer would play down the issues but it would be enough to hold me back from doing a deal.

I am always a bit nervous about metallic paint ...and this one was done back in 2008...so it may have faded a bit. Added to the fact that the body is aluminium I am quite out of my depth and would have to pay a professional to put it right.

Given (in my opinion) the high price being asked
for the car, I am wondering just how much should be allowed for any paint correction.??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVr8QLpkfKo

[ukdave2002]

Local repairs to metallic paint can and are frequently completed by body shops, the base coat will be blended into the original paint, a larger area of the clear will be removed and re coated, using fade in thinner to further improve invisibly of the repair.

However, blisters such as the ones in the video are commonly due to poor prep, e.g. the panel has some filler and was left for a few days before painting, in other words the job may be bigger than a simple re spray, as the filler really needs to be removed back to bare metal replaced then painted.

Would the dealer be prepared to complete the repairs and give you a couple of years warranty? If not I?d factor a complete re spray in the negotiation.
The current visible blistering may just be the start of paint issues.

Dave

[Ray White]

[bjacko]

You might need to go over it very carefully as there may be more filler than metal. Check the frame underneath for damage or distortion etc for evidence of a major prang.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

[Ray White]

[badhuis]

[Ray White]

I don't know if it is an illness of some kind?? but I actually prefer working on old cars rather than driving them. Perhaps it is why I always try to improve on what I consider to be a poor design.

There are more serious cases than me and they tend to be 'hot rodders' who have no intention of realising the potential of their creations.

Maybe the most extreme case I have come across is the incredible restomod MGs turned out by Frontline. They have turned a dream into a reality. I discovered recently that they have a two year waiting list for their reimagined MGB that sells for 230,000 pounds.

[ukdave2002]

[Ray White]

[alastairq]

A few years back i came across an MG..possibly a T, maybe even a P? It was decried by all the cognoscenti, just because it had a Ford sidevalve 1172cc engine installed.

I simply couldn't see what all the fuss was about?

The car ran, drove, stopped and did everything those old MGs could do...but with a much easier to repair engine installed. there was even a bonus increase in power from the Ford sidevalve [10HP] engine, over whatever was originally stuck in there.
I'm sure if it overtook oneself on a road, nobody would ever be any the wiser as to its engine....
But, there it was, shunned!!!

My old '39 Morgan 4/4 Series 1 had a Standard Special engine, which was an engineering wreck. The rest of the car passed an MoT easy as pie...spring ball joints and all!

A sage MOC member...a tech expert on the type advised not to spend too much money and effort trying to get the original engine running properly [it did run....not sure how many of its original 39 BHP were still alive & kicking, however...Still took the car up to 70 mph, though]..but instead, find a half decent BMC A series....maybe even a 1275cc engine ..[but a 948 or 1098cc would both be an improvement over the original......] and fit that! The shaft between engine and Moss gearbox took the Sprite clutch as standard....even originally[although possibly the Sprite copied the Morgan/Standard fitment? Age -wise? }

His view being, better to see such a car motoring around the countryside, than sat in a shed , simply 'awaiting the parts or Mr Moneybags to come along!'

Hot Rods? What are they, in practice?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

The MG midget has always been a target for tuning and modification. One of the problems with the pre War TA for example is that the original MPJG engine - although not without merit - had a habit of severe cracking so a cheap and cheerful Ford engine which was tough as old boots was a sensible option. It could also be tuned within an inch of it's life and be made more reliable. (I remember my Dad had a nice little side line converting Ford engines to shell bearings.)

If I had a TA that needed a replacement engine I would probably opt for a later XPAG; a better unit in many respects and generally worth fitting despite the difficulties involved.

IF one is looking at Morgan then there is, I would say, even less cause to be precious... as they themselves have utilised many different power units over the years!.

Quite a long way from the original post...but here is all anyone could hope to know about MG engines...

https://www.mgexp.com/article/mg-engine-history.75

[Ray White]

This is something I had not considered before.
https://nuagane.co.uk/product/1l-cellulose-celly-high-gloss-clear-lacquer-coat-solvent-car-paint-free-post/#:~:text=Cellulose

Would there be any benefits to applying it to cut and polished cellulose paint ?

[ukdave2002]

I would flatten the existing paint with 800 grit, to give the lacquer a decent key. The end result may give a slightly darker colour than the original.

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]