Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Off Topic Subjects => Topic started by: dakazman on Monday,January 16, 2023, 04:38:22 PM
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While nursing an injury I decided to work on some honey do’s. Her and the grandkids favorite Christmas ornament was jammed up by something… hmmm after taking it apart I found that I need some gearing to make it work. I found a miscellaneous bag of 90 pieces for $10. on eBay but I decided to try to narrow down a bit . I can make it a manual slide with a wheel for the kids to turn , which would probably work better.
Another job replace a microwave door switch that was intermittent. What a pain getting to it.
So since august it’s been sitting on the floor in a spare bedroom. I went out a purchased another right away but I can’t stand throwing something out without trying to fix . So for 8$ I changed out the switch and 4 hour later resembled the microwave. Now what to do with it… I can hang it in the garage and get my coffee easily. 🤣
I can’t wait to feel better.
Dakazman
Dakazman
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You ok?
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Thanks for asking turbo,
It’s a reoccurring Piriformis muscle, yep it’s a real pain in the arse. 🥱. Yes it’s getting better but I don’t want to push it. Doing my stretches a few times a day and sitting on ice. A little bit of degenerative disc in my lower back that I’ve had for years thrown in also.
Just getting old I guess , I keep telling myself,”walk it off “, but it yells back , not today, lately.
Dakazman
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Finished the wife’s’ and grandkid’s favorite Christmas toy. More interactive now that they have to turn the gear to watch the kids slide down slide. Lights work and wife happy.
Pulled the gear shaft out and relocated to to front side . Drilled through and surprisingly got the hole for the shaft perfectly centered.
Onward progress 🥱
Dakazman
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Trying to take it easy I decided to rip into the body panels yet again. This time going after all the spider cracks and stress cracks.
Another with a complete inner armrest section repair, and a repair to a door that the window was used as a handhold.
The doors, in the jamb area had a few along with damage when the doors sag.
This engine cover was and is a PIA having been hit from the rear and possibly been towed backwards
After spending most of the day grinding out and feathering surfaces for repair I think am almost ready to cover in the veil or composite.
Dakazman
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On my driver's door (not sure why the passenger door doesn't have the same issue but it could be because it isn't opened and closed as much), there is a small crack going forward from the corner of the quarter window. It makes sense since this would be a good place for a stress riser. If you can get behind it, you might want to see if you can reinforce that corner while you're working on the doors.
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I wonder if it could be the door seal pressure behind the window flange area. A brief experiment would be to try to pull a piece of fabric behind door seal when door is shut.
Window up and someone inside to saw it back and forth to find a tight area. Just a thought. 🤔
There is not too much unused area in that cross section of the door.
Dakazman
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Another round of locating, cutting, sanding scarf cuts then refilling. Sleeping great except to scratch.
I don’t know what works better my pain killers or resins 😂 . I added in a section of the interior door pull area the next step is to clone the insert and drop it in. Can’t wait to apply the veils.
Dakazman
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I decided to deal with a different fiberglass today, I coated two doors with veil. one the composite and one continuous strand.
First the composite. laying it down onto a wetted surface slowly made a huge difference with air bubbles and pulling and stretching the material.
after applying I gave it a layer of resin and allowed to dry.
Then the continuous, I didn't know what to expect so I wet the surface of yet another door. The veil laid down easily with no air bubbles at all , but wetting out took a few more mixtures of resin, but still no emergencies. I completed the panel and let dry . I did however apply a contrast agent to the surface of the door before applying the veil so if sanded to deep afterward, I would see the absence of the veil. which is the subject of this test.
after drying the composite had a much cleaner and flatter surface than the strand, but could be corrected by another coat of resin.
Then I attacked yet another door that had extensive hairline cracks grinding out the cracks in the fabric to a paper thin scarf. then on wards to the engine lid repairs. I like to clump all the grinding and sanding to one session then repairing another.
That's where I stand .
Dakazman
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Those all look pretty good, Dave.
Your last pic is a close up of the continuous filament veil.
Do you have a close up of the polyester veil, please?
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Gavin , that would be the second pic.
Dave
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Here are two more , first a bonnet, then a door after a light sanding with 120 while I sanded the excess around the edges off.
Dakazman
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I’m totally impressed with both the composite and continuous veils. The composite and the continuous are extremely dense making to difficult to sand even with 36 grit. I managed to sand and file down to an acceptable appearance both both will get a light coat of resin.
The composite did immediately have a better finish appearance than the strand . I accomplished my goal of finishing the resin before expiration but now need a few things to paint before the primer expires so I’ll pick up a small batch of resin to finish them .
The first two pics are strand and the last pic composite.
Dakazman
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After sanding with 80 grit the layer of resin I applied I can see why you don’t need a contrast agent.
You cannot sand through this veil, the continuous strand is very strong also but you can burn through it easier.
I’ll be painting this bonnet and two doors tomorrow. I also have a shipment of 48” Matt coming in tonight to cover the seriously damaged door and to make another bonnet. Paint is expiring, so these 3 panels will get a coat or two . I almost finished all the repairs to an engine cover but I’ll need to put some veil on it also.
I ordered a few hoses for my ac system so I can continue the layout.
Dakazman
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When I veiled my bonnet (my first example of cloth print-through) my veil wasn’t wide enough to cover the whole part with one piece. So I cut two, and overlapped them by ~1/2” running front to back. It took me so long to sand down that small ridge. Veil is surprisingly tough stuff.
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I wasn’t going to go through that , I’ve been there before.
Added so pics of the weight without paint.
Dakazman
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Kendo, did you use clothor weave?
Did you see it in the final layers after a paint job?
dakaznan
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Someone else had repaired the hood with cloth. And I noticed the print through for several years before starting the restoration. After repairing the front edge properly, with regular mat, skinned the whole thing with glass veil. Didn’t know about your fancy synthetic :)). Final paint is smooth, or as smooth as I can get it. I don’t have your mad polishing skills…
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Lol , thanks.
I’m new to this veil , but I give it two thumbs up over the original glass fiber finish.
It will be awhile for the final result, by then someone else will come up with a better product.
So let’s not go into the wrapping process 🥱, not that I don’t like some of the exterior schemes they come out with it’s the repair if damaged process.
Dakazman
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Started off a so so day of paint and glass work then the grandkids and their dad went for a drive in pop pops car. Their first ride !😃
Tomorrow is another day.
New heater plan in play after a second look at an electric heater. Tapping into the radiator lines to a separate heater ducted into the blower fan. It’s dual input so I’ll block off whatever side I don’t want.
Re skinned one door completely after sanding to a paper thin. Just way to many stress and impact damage. The 50” wide role of Matt came in just in time.
Dakazman
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I was able to put the first coats on these panels coated with two different veils . Both produced a very nice finish free of pinholes. The pinholes did appear on the un-coated sections making me smear primer into the voids.
Dakazman
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More jobs came in the mail today 🥱. The dual weber throttle linkage and my carburetor diaphragms for my Honda Sabre 1100 , they were out of stock for 2 years.
Also included the complete reskin of a door . Now to grind out the inner section to complete the repair.
Dakazman
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Then on to completing the door pull area repair. This door had way too many stress cracks to do independently hence the total skin.
Dakazman
Then I had time and almost finished the engine cover. I post pics of the weight soon.
Dakazman
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Tell me you didn't finish the inside (under the door card) of the doors and the underside of the engine cover!! :huh:
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Not finish presay, after the new skin went on the thinned original skin. Basically grinding out all damage . I did go under the door car that wasn’t there . Po cut it all out. Grinding out the interior of the door to the new skin in areas made it easier to inspect later. Erasing all the previous damage.
The engine cover had a po repair with an abomination of material. Now it ready for any form of strut base.
I did get to block sand the continuous strand covered door, almost perfectly strait with two coats of hi build primer. Covering you original fiberglass with a veil is a definite improvement and easier to get a good base of primer without pinholes.
So far the composite veil uses less resin and a smoother surface, requiring less sanding. I’ll post a pic of that panel tomorrow.
It’s much more pleasant looking at these in a usable state.
Problem is I purchased more resin to cover the engine cover, and this reskin in veil. Then I also purchased 50” wide continuous mat for another bonnet skin that I’ll turn into a foose type bonnet.
That’s a long term goal.
Now that I knocked out some of these other problems I’ll get back to my baby.
Dakazman
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Worked on the last 2 panels , the rear lid all minor touches. The reskinned door inner panel needed the insert , it’s come along way but still needs a little more glass work and veil.
Before pic shown.
Dakazman
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Nice work, D'man.
It just shows that even poor panels can be brought back from the dead. That's something many would find much more daunting if they were made of steel.
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Nice work!
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Thanks guys ,
Worked on several things today squeezing in rebuilding my carbs for my motorcycle. The diaphragm’s were on back order for about a year . It needed a wash and an oil change also .
Then went on to install the intake manifold on the crossflow , posting that on my normal page.
Dakazman
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I completed a layer of continuous stand over the bonnet for a different look and purpose. It’s for the Foose look and application. Still to frail to turn over and s as did a layer and the edges.
I also competed the repairs to the engine cover, so I decided to go for the composite veil cover on it.
This time it went much better and was able to remove all the air bubbles as I worked wetting it in .
I added the minimum of hardener to the resin to give me more time to play with the edges and the grill area.
Dakazman
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The irony, 3 Doors down, also my favorite heavy band, second to Bruno mars.
The rest of the pics are the engine cover ready for primer. Then I’ll add the substructure for the prop rods. Weight in at…
Dakazman
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3 Doors Down 8)
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I have been just playing around with some panels. Doors mostly now in primer, save the really damaged one that I re-skinned. Double veiled now. Last pic.
On to Bonnets, I made my first complete large panel using a bonnet, as the template, for what was going to a dumpster. I'm thing of a JPS logo on one, using up my gold paint. Secondly either one of two designs, on the other. See pics. Building up the edges that were formed around the template bonnet. my nightmare was that it wouldn't keep its bow when flipped over to add material on the edges. Alas, it worked out just fine and I'll continue to build up the inner panel with one of the two designs..
Dakazman
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Nice!
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Pecking away at the honey doos and painted my garage and some of the exterior doors with only the front double doors to go. Weather cooperated and the winds calm. Looking forward to a cold front coming on Tuesday so I can finish the attic insulation. 2 more batts of 88 sq.ft.
Rain possible tomorrow so I’ll finish up putting a new flex plate in the el Camino . Then replacing the leaking new power steering pump. 🥱.
Then onward to my bike that I just finished the carb installation. Setting up chokes and then closeup.
Dakazman
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A bonnet is born!
After some heavy sanding I have a start of a bonnet that I will cut up and bend into the newer Elise look only for a Europa. Not the foose look. It almost doesn’t need the supporting cross brace.
Working with the weather I finished my attic insulation, along with the doors and engine cover. Too windy to spray with a final coat of primer. The JPS bonnet will get a coat of gold paint which has had its second coat of primer.
My motorcycle is assembled and it’s going through a deep cleaning and polishing before running.
Last time I polished it was about 5 years ago so I have quite a bit of work ahead of me.
Dakazman
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Finished up my old stock of primer and some other paint supplies, much more room on my shelves 🤣
Hung my repaired , primed, panels from my ceiling and out of the way. The bonnet the was repaired, veiled with composite was primed and painted with iridescent gold base for the JPS Livery. That will take some time to cut out the overlay so that panel will come inside my house.
Two more panels to go, a door that was completely reskinned and a newly formed bonnet. They will just get a little more glass work and hung for later.
After the bike and getting the elky running it will be clear sailing on the Europa.
Dakazman
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My peel and stick vinyl wrap came in so the JPS livery will be cut into it slowly.
My fabricated bonnet fit snugly in place and laid down nicely. Centerline mark so that I can make the same cuts for the vents. The bobbins were also cut out of some spare aluminum I had laying around, they were pictured laying on the door. So far so good and I’m so relieved on the fit. . Not going with the foose look , just too much slope.
The reskinned door also sanded down and ready for prime but only when I finish the bonnet.
Dakazman
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Trying to finish up some pain in the a** jobs. Oil leaks under my El Camino main/ timing chain cover and a power steering unit that was just purchased new.
After finding out the power steering unit does not come with the reservoir… what , so I removed the old reservoir and silver soldered the seam in tank .
Now watching for leaks.
On another topic, my nightmare squirrels are hiding nuts one of my neighbors are feeding them .
Arghhh . This time I’ll post pics!
Dakazman
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I guess I can’t win all the time . I’ve been working on my taxes and shredding documents and going through piles of Medicare advertisements for different companies. After 3 days I emerged from my office and went back to work on my El Camino. Tightened up all the belts and topped off fluids, checked my work for leaks , arghhh, power steering reservoir still leaks. Okay I’ll try to find a pump with the reservoir. Then as I’m under the running car water started flowing all over the place. A “new” thermostat housing sprung a leak, right through the assembly not a gasket.
Oh well, tomorrow will be another battle, but the larger front oil pan leak is gone. My ex machinists work.
Dakazman
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This is a good start to being close to finishing.
A/C system on my El Camino holding vacuum. Tomorrow service with 134.
Then on to making the lines for the Europa.
Dakazman
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Just because a Europa looks like an El Camino (the TCs do anyway) doesn’t mean working on an El Camino is the same as working on a Europa! You have to get your priorities straight! :)
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BDA, I missed my target date of November in which to get on the road with it. At least it has no more oil leaks and power steering case isn’t leaking. Now just ac , I promise. I think of it as a dry run for the Europa.
Lol, they do look alike . Big brother and little sister.
Dave
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I feel for you DMan! My dates are sliding by.......
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Turbo, What was the cartoon characters name that would say, "Which way did they go" all the time?
Trying to plan ahead is a daunting task, which bring me to another fork in the road.
A well known member, Paul, of Lotus groups brough me a care package all the way from NY. I wish I"d taken some pictures of his short visit but time slipped away. He delivered a 821 block for me and some much needed misc parts to finish up the crossflow and the pieces I have from the block that needs a line bore. We have a really good bunch of members that are in it for all the right reasons. THANK YOU, PAUL. :trophy: :trophy:
Dakazman
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This is a great forum!!
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Instead of starting this thread as downtime, I should have said diversions .
Storm damage caused me to change my direction yet again. Tearing out screening on my pool enclosure. Day 5 today and should finish this . I rather be in an un-air conditioned garage than in this blazing hot sunlight.☀️🔥. Then I get to cut the lawn.🥱😂
Dakazman
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You're a trooper, Dave and the last thing we need to see is you doing "downtime" from that ladder.
The older I get, the less happy I am about going up tall ladders.
It doesn't seem all that long ago I was painting the eves on my last house using all of my 33 foot ladder.
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Thanks for your concern Gavin,
I’m Getting a little more cautious in retirement, but found some pictures of the last time I did it in 2016 without water in pool!
Luckily I’m not afraid of heights working with Ariel devices in the snow and rain 60- 80 feet changing out HF antenna and other problems.
Finished it all up today and now safely back on the ground.
Ps, found some pictures from a day at work .
Hanging out these windows all most daily, Boeing 747 . 😇🤣
Dave
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Nice job. Swimming pools are a lot of fun but they are a lot of work too! Especially with your enclosure! Glad you're safely on the ground again D'man!!
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Me to. :beerchug:
I actually started fitting and cutting the front windscreen seal to accept the glass today very intricate cuts.
Dakazman
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If my most recent application of 'Glass/Microspheres works well I should be about ready to apply a layer of synthetic veil in the next day or two.
How did you handle the corners and vent radius?
All one piece cut at the corners, or separate top, sides, and radius?
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Hi Rich,
All 1 piece. Then cut a slit down center from front to back , two cuts to the sides on the half circles then cut pie pieces to go into the radius. 3 in all. It payed down easily. After drying I trimmed it level to bottom.
The outside edges were pinched together and cut after drying. You can use a clothespin with a piece of plastic or even tape under the jaws.
Dave