Chassis

The Chassis

Just a few thoughts about the chassis. I'm not a great lover of powder coating. Once it chips, then corrosion can run straight under it, just the same as certain hammer finish paints. (now that's going to cause some controversy !) My plan is to give the chassis a damned good wire brushing, then spray it with zinc loaded primer, and then with acrylic car spray, better know as touch-up cans ! Should only take a two or three cans. Finally, the underside will get a coat of underseal.

The insides of the tubes are going to get waxoled.

1st Jan 2001

Well, it's going to plan - sort of ! The chassis has been degreased with cellulose thinners, rubbed down with sandpaper and a wire brush, and has had a brush cost of zinc primer. I was a bit out on my guess that it would only take a few cans ! I'm used to spraying models, and the paint goes a long way. It doesn't go very far when you start doing BIG THINGS like a real car :-(

It going to get painted black next.

2nd Feb 2001

I decided to cut the ally panels to size next, then fit them with a couple of rivits and drill all the holes. The reason for doing this next is that I'm scratching the chassis. When this job is finished and the panels have been taken off again then I can paint the chassis without worrying about damaging the paintwork too much.

17th Feb 2001

I've got the chassis sprayed now. It took a whole can of back QD90. So much for the 'should only take a few cans !'
Before I sprayed the chassis I bent the fuel and brake pipes to shape and drilled all the holes for the P-clips. That should save me scratching the fresh paint.

The poly sheeting sort of kept most of the garage clean. The tumble dryer is a dirty grey colour now, rather than it's former brilliant white !
The body, which is hanging up, just out of sight got wrapped in cling film. I'm leaving it wrapped for the moment, but I hope it kept it clean.

19th Mar 2001

I waxoled the chassis a while ago. What a messy job that was. I had a few problems getting the waxol to spray properly, but once I had stood the can in hot water for an hour or so, then refilled the bucket with boiling water, and warmed the sprayer hose in hot water it went OK. You need to keep everything nice and warm, otherwise the damned stuff just sets in the sprayer !

14th April 2001

I've decided to put the front tunnel panels, the footwells and the floors on first. The differential will go on next followed by the rest of the panels. It should be easier to get the diff on without the rear tunnel panels and back panel in place. I've also fixed a bracket for the speedo sensor and brake compensator valve.

The floor panels have had a coat of 'RubberCoat.' I'm hoping that this will provide a bit of protection from stone dents and corrosion, and reduce the road noise a tad. (Reduce the road noise ? Fat Chance !) Rubbercoat is like painting on tar. It's very sticky, and very messy. If you decide to use it, wear gloves !

17th October 2001

The chassis is now up on axle stands with the front suspension removed and it's ready to take the body.

	I've decided to put the front tunnel panels, the footwells and the floors on first. The differential will go on next followed by the rest of the panels. It should be easier to get the diff on without the rear tunnel panels and back panel in place. I've also fixed a bracket for the speedo sensor and brake compensator valve.
	The floor panels have had a coat of 'RubberCoat.' I'm hoping that this will provide a bit of protection from stone dents and corrosion, and reduce the road noise a tad. (Reduce the road noise ? Fat Chance !) Rubbercoat is like painting on tar. It's very sticky, and very messy. If you decide to use it, wear gloves !