It's not easy being green - 1971 TC

[dakazman]

Thanks to all for the input on the door pins. I suspect it'll end up as a hacksaw job, given the way everything else not made of fibreglass seems to have fared...

Worked on with the stripdown this afternoon, another session of mixed progress.    N/s door is now stripped of its door card, internal door locking mechanism, striker and electric winder motor. Drilled out the various rivets, and dug out the mastic round the frame, which is now loose as far as the quarterlight glass, which is not feeling like it wants to move. Am I missing something here? Do I need to winkle out the rubber seal round the glass?  Don't want to break anything, so have left it overnight to read up on.

The electric window winder wouldn't work when I tested it, but you could hear the motor trying both ways. Will separate the motor and mechanism tomorrow and hopefully it's just the mechanism gunged or rusted up, and will free off.

Removed the remains of the seat runner fixings, carpet and underlay/sound deadening, and looked at the seat belt. The buckle mount was not even fixed in, sill mount for the belt will not unfasten so far - I fear the problems that EuropaTC (Brian) had with the strengthening plate may be a problem for me too. Will have a look from the wheelarch, where I will also have to retrieve the door catch that fell into the void!

Finally removed the centre console, which as you can see has had a tough life. plan is to strip it back, fibreglass it up to put the strength back in it, and re-cover it. However, if I delete the ashtray then I can put a screen or phone mount in the space freed up, as a nod to the 21st century. 

Sorry if this sounds a bit whingy - I can't afford a Lotus and a therapist.    Back to it tomorrow.

   I first want to say making a mold of the console is pretty easy. I did what your suggesting with a much less complete donor.  I elimated the ashtray and added A/C vents.
    Then you mentioned ,"stripdown", ...I hope not with chemical strippers to remove paint. fingers crossed.
dakazman

[Cheguava]

I first want to say making a mold of the console is pretty easy. I did what your suggesting with a much less complete donor.  I elimated the ashtray and added A/C vents.
    Then you mentioned ,"stripdown", ...I hope not with chemical strippers to remove paint. fingers crossed.
dakazman

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I think that it would be easier to repair what I have than make a mold and duplicate it, particularly as I will then cover the console and my repairs with vinyl. Have you got a pic of your modified console?  If it's already on here I can search for it.

No fears of using chemicals - the stripdown referred to the removal of all parts from the shell. Then I've got to rub it down as best as I can before handing it to the bodyshop, for its return to gleaming L13.

[Bryan Boyle]

I first want to say making a mold of the console is pretty easy. I did what your suggesting with a much less complete donor.  I elimated the ashtray and added A/C vents.
    Then you mentioned ,"stripdown", ...I hope not with chemical strippers to remove paint. fingers crossed.
dakazman

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I think that it would be easier to repair what I have than make a mold and duplicate it, particularly as I will then cover the console and my repairs with vinyl. Have you got a pic of your modified console?  If it's already on here I can search for it.

No fears of using chemicals - the stripdown referred to the removal of all parts from the shell. Then I've got to rub it down as best as I can before handing it to the bodyshop, for its return to gleaming L13.

Repairing with fiberglass won't work.  I've seen that a few times...the patch just peels off.   The console is ABS plastic, which is a PITA to repair, and requires adhesives specifically made for ABS.  There are various glues you can get at the big box hardware stores which will work...look in the plumbing supply aisle where you will find them.  You WILL have to cover the faces after you put all the pieces back together/fix cracks/etc.  but covering it after fixing is probably the best course of action (unless you come upon an unmolested/cracked example...I just gave away my last solid console a couple weeks ago from my stash.)

[Cheguava]

Repairing with fiberglass won't work.  I've seen that a few times...the patch just peels off.   The console is ABS plastic, which is a PITA to repair, and requires adhesives specifically made for ABS.  There are various glues you can get at the big box hardware stores which will work...look in the plumbing supply aisle where you will find them.  You WILL have to cover the faces after you put all the pieces back together/fix cracks/etc.  but covering it after fixing is probably the best course of action (unless you come upon an unmolested/cracked example...I just gave away my last solid console a couple weeks ago from my stash.)

Thanks for this Bryan - I had just assumed it was fibreglass when the complete absence of fibres in it should have alerted me different. D'oh!  I'll look out for suitable adhesive - info very much appreciated.

[Cheguava]

Stripping out of the interior continues, but it was too hot to work in the garage today, so spent some time cleaning up the passenger seat to see how it would come up. Still needs another clean or two, and the foam and backing boards on the seat bases and possibly the back need replacing, but I think the cover is savable.

The problem I have is that the driver's seat has some damage to the bolster, and the seat back cushion. And although Martrim in the UK seem to sell the basketweave vinyl, it doesn't have the "ribs" which seem to be melted in, which gives me a dilemma. Do I try and replicate the ribs using heat application, or does anyone know if the right material is available elsewhere? Or do I recover both seats, which would be a shame - I'm assuming that the vinyl is original? I really want to get the seats "right" if I can, they're as 70's as an orange Spangle!