Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[luke.sibley]

hi everyone im new to this site, basicaly im restoring my bodyshell and i have a few rust holes that i can see already! however i am going to send the shell away to surface processing to be acid dipped then e-coated.. but i just wanted to ask peoples advice on weather i should fix the rust that i can already see now.. then get it dipped etc and when i get it back fix what ever was hidden. or just fix it all when it comes back for the dippers ??
any advice would be great thanks.
luke.

[traction39]

I spoke to surface processing last week. They suggested dipping the body shell to remove the old paint and rust etc. Do the remedial welding etc and then re-dip (half first dip price) and e-coat. Any further "filling" would then require the e-coat to be removed back to bare metal in those area that require it. I have to say, I thought I could maybe do the repairs first and then send it off to them to reduce extra dipping costs assuming I go that way! $$$$!!!
I would also be interested in anyones views who has gone the surface processing route.
_________________
Alistair

Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932

[ukdave2002]

Hi
I have used them;

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5790&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

The process is not cheap, but does exactly what they promise, in the "acid concoction" dip the only thing that will be left is solid steel, any lead seams will be dissolved, as will aluminium and any filler. In an ideal world need to identify and complete all the repairs before its shipped it off to them, so they can do the whole operation in one go.

Dave

[luke.sibley]

cool, well as im in london to its not so much needing the second dip etc its the traveling. i would rather do it one go... im tempted to repair what i can now.. plus gives me something to do wile im saving up

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum luke, what are you working on?

Rick
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[luke.sibley]

thanks... well this is the thing.. you lot will probably kick me off the forum for this but this is the best place for information on restoration on the internet! its only a ford fiesta... but if this goes all well "its a like a practise" i want to get my hands on a mustang!! please dont kick me off..

[CMI-Cars]

with not nowing what it cost in uk, but I can imagine its a bit pricey.
I would save the money to the mustang, cause as you say: "its only a ford fiesta"

Just my opinion
_________________
1938 Ford 10 7W
1948 Ford Anglia E04A
1949 Ford Prefect E493A
1950 Ford Prefect E493A
1952 Ford Anglia E493A
1953 Volvo PV 831
3x1953 Ford Anglia E493A
3x1954 Ford Popular 104E
1955 Ford Popular 104E
1956 Ford Popular 104E
www.cmi-cars.com

[Kelsham]

Hi, dont apoligise for trying to teach yourself how to repair old cars. You will learn a lot on your first attempt,which will enable you make a better job of your later projects. A Ford Fiesta will get you around cheaply while you save up.
regards Kels.

[weldingclassics]

Hi im a newbie to this forum too but just wondering what year the fiesta is if its a mk1 its probably worth hanging on to if done properly, I mean who would of thought Mk2 escorts would fetch £2500!!??? as they are now.

[weldingclassics]

by the way I would probably steer away from the dipping method on this and get on with the welding but if you really want to go that route check out soda blasting its very enviro friendly and not so harsh on the panels, type it in to ebay theres a chap on there advertising we saw a chap blasting a fibre glass marcos bonnet near our workshop we were impressed with the results and the soda just washes away when finished!

[luke.sibley]

its genuine mk3 rs turbo fiesta. i have built a 2.0 zetec turbo engine for it, standalone management etc etc going to be about 400bhp!!!! iv had the car for a long time so not wanted to get rid of it... im a fully qualified mechanic and do it for a living but have a very keen interest in restoration. iv always wanted to do it and have a decent car to start with. like i said i want to move onto bigger and better things such as a mustang and build a couple of hot rods to! but have to start somewere. the acid dip and e-coat for my car is £1500 so not actualy to bad i dont think... reason im thinking of taking the acid dip route is im not looking to get rid of the fiesta so want to do it properly the 1st time. but like i said this is the best site for information. if anybody needs any mechanical help im sure i can help out there.

[pryantcc]

Hi,
I used surface processing on my Alvis chassis. I only got it diped once, but in hindsight, that was a bad plan. I lived in Scotland at the time, so the journey was a big consideration for me too!

The chassis is fairly hefty stuff,so it didn't matter so much about loosing a little of it to the acid. When I picked it up, the dip had revealed holes in sections I ghtought were solid. I had to cut these out which broke the e-coat which is why I should have dipped it twice!

They also damaged my chasis a bit by bending two outriggers. It looks like they used the outrigger to lift it. They blamed the painters and only gave me £50 off the price

It's a great way to clean complex cavities, but be warned, you may be sorely dissappointed by the frilly heap they hand you back!

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

My experience of Mk1 Fiestas is that you are likely to get a lot of welding practice!
Paul

[Rusty]

My nephew got his 69 HT Holden Monaro GTS body dipped and was very glad afterwards that he hadn't done any of the rust repairs before it was dipped because the rust under the paint and proofcote was a lot more extensive than he realised. A whole lot of pinnholes appeared after dipping and if he had done some of the rust repairs first he probibally would have had to do some of them again. This body was a lot rustyer than most but is coming along nicely now.