Project BFR (1973 Mimosa Sprint)

[Mad Mart]

The bubbles didn't disappear but they were better today. I'm going to leave it 'til the weekend & if they haven't gone by then I shall peel off the driver's side just up to the swage line & re-glue it.

I fitted up the rear drums today. New seals in the wheel cylinders & new brake shoes. Fitted the steering wheel whilst Mary fitted the sill carpets & rear seat. Got the seat belts back in and the door grabs. It's looking a lot more up together now. The finish is in sight.

[bifold]

mart did you key your paint with a pad?

[Mad Mart]

No, I gave it a good wipe over with white spirit & let it dry before I started.

[shep]

Hey Mart, just like to say that watching your progress has been great, brings back memories! It looks fantastic and its well impressive have fast its coming on! Wish I could give advice on the roof but thats the one thing I left to a trimmer and it took him about 5 or 6 hours so I real admire you for tackling it. Keep up the great work!

[paulsprint]

mart,

When i did my roof it looked like there where loads of air bubbles and lumps of glue. After a week or so it all settled down and the bubbles all disapeared.
I found it best to leave it out in the sun so it got really hot and then I smoothed it over from time to time. Don't be tempted to peel it off, it will scrap the vinyl roof and the paint underneath.

[Mad Mart]

OK Paul, thanks for that, I'll leave it for now & see if it settles down.

[Mad Mart]

Tonight we fitted the sill trims, boot lid, rear screen, choke cable, throttle cable & finished fitting the parcel shelf.

[bifold]

I been thinking about your vinyl,you have some solvent vapour trapped under the vinyl,stopping the glue drying ,it will pass through the vinyl,to speed it up the park in the sun ideas good,but if its in the garage a fan blowing over the roof is good also ,you might see some blooming (white marks appear)but they go quickly.
I did a TGI fridays seating area ,and it bloomed on the flutted seats but I used a hair dryer and gone,heart stopping moment

[Mad Mart]

Ok, thanks for that, I'll try the old hair dryer ploy.


Carpet & seats went in last night. I think one last push this weekend should see BFR ready for the road.

[Lewis]

Brilliant work Mart. Hats off to you

[sprint95m]

Do you paint the vinyl roof. I was led to believe that the material is not waterproof so I have used a product called Vinylcote.
Or maybe a waterproof spray, as sold in Outdoor Activities shops would do the job?

[SprintMWU773V]

Mer do a nice product along the bumper black sort of line. It's a gel that leaves a nice satin finish to the vinyl and aids water beading and run off. Lasts ages too. Also recommended for slightly tired vinyl like this:

[Mad Mart]

That looks great Mark. I usually use shoe polish.

Getting close to finishing now. Fitted the stainless steel exhaust. You wouldn't believe how rusty a stainless exhaust can get (obviously a low grade stainless). I spent over half an hour with the wire brush attachment on my drill cleaning up the back section. Fitted the prop shaft & rear arb and tightened all the rear suspension bolts. Fitted the rest of the chrome trim.

[mahony]

cars looking really nice mart and a credit to you,how's the bubbles on the vinyl ?,have they gone down yet?

[Mad Mart]

The bubbles were still there yesterday so I got the heat gun on them & pressed them towards the edge of the vinyl. Seems to have worked quite well but I'll need to do it again I think.