Red Rallye resto

[Ben_w]

What a damn fine morning this morning turned out to be. To coin some more lyrics…..what a difference a day makes.

Finally dragged myself from my bed (started back at the gym with my cousin on Tuesday and God were my muscles meeting me know they weren't happy!!), made a cup of tea and ventured forth.

Now, my garage is set behind my house with the drive running down the side of the house. My front door points pretty much west, meaning the sun shines on the side of the house opposite to the garage. Not an issue. My jig has wheels. Rallye, walkies! Nothing better than finally feeling a little warmth from the sun on my skin.



Id bought a spray can of Electrox as part of my Bilt Hamber booty box, planning on using that for hard to reach areas. However, having had a think, a spray finish is much better than a brush finish so I decided that for all things engine bay, I'd use the spray as you are likely to see much more and finish is critical…

Suspension turrets and engine bay…






Rolled her on her side and got on….handbrake cables have been annoying me for months…not getting in the car now it's on the jig so….



Mr Angle grinder and his cutting blade pal sorted them….




Cleaned up the rear arch. Deox Gel did a job, but not as well as I expected. The grinder finished it off…





Further up in the arch, I noticed a scab..



I'm glad I found and treated this as I've seen so many 306’s rot through here, mostly estates though.nQuite why, I've no idea but it's right next to a seatbelt mounting point sound normally sounds the death knell for a 306 if left….

So after doing lots of little bits and pieces, I got onto applying another coat of Electrox. It had already had one, but I think it was a thinned down coat to allow it to flow into the seams etc..I can’t remember for sure so I figured a full fat layer of Electrox wouldn't hurt….

Going on…



Finished…



Close up of finish. Seems odd painting a car with a brush and when striving for perfection, almost downright uncomfortable. The stuff is very thick and solvent based so spraying wouldn't be an option unless thinned significantly, which will then detract from lifespan performance I'd imagine. It's like glossing in the house and I HATE that bloody job. In the end, the finish wasn't too bad….



Browsing the BH website, I discovered they do a product called Flatface:

https://www.bilthamber.com/flat-face

Touted as:

‘Sprayable polyester filler allows very high build levels in one application – easy sanding.’

Apparently sits over the epoxy mastic very well, providing a flat surface for final coats. There go the worries about brush marks in the mastic. The guys at BH really do seem to have thought of everything. I can't praise them enough.

Biggest issue I came across today was jig issues…was a bit more difficult to push and having had a look, I can see why. Thought I'd got the centre spar/brace positioned correctly but clearly not. I looked at the video that the guy selling them linked in his advert and the people have added a ratchet strap between both uprights. I plan on taking up the strain, loosening the bolts on the brace, ratcheting until the uprights are vertical and retighten the bolts which will pin it all together.





All in all, a bloody enjoyable day working on this.