1972 250C - Painting Operations complete

[pj67coll]

Did you paint it youself or just strip it and take it to a shop?

- Peter.

[thorsen]

Did everything myself, with the exception of reinstalling the front and rear glass. Oh, and my wife helped bleed the brakes after I replaced all the calipers and hoses.

Here are the time-lapse videos of most of the wotk; most recent first.
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=thorin2004&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

[pj67coll]

That's absolutely awesome. I have been thinking I'll have to attempt something similar myself one day if I'm ever to have the type of car I really want. Well done.

- Peter.

[Cr from Texas]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Did you paint it youself or just strip it and take it to a shop?

- Peter.

I'm preparing one to paint and will also stay with the original color. The original is a single stage paint. I'm considering going to a two stage base coat - clear coat in the original color.

Which did you do and how did you decide?

Charles

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

I'm preparing one to paint and will also stay with the original color. The original is a single stage paint. I'm considering going to a two stage base coat - clear coat in the original color.

Which did you do and how did you decide?

Charles

Charles,

I used these guys for paint. http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/ I really like the Urethanes for ease of use and durability.

Personally, I wanted a super bright white and ended up going with their Restoration Shop line of products. http://www.tcpglobal.com/restorationshop/rspcolors.aspx
I was tempted to go silver but stayed white. The color I used was #1105 Arctic White.

If you have any more questions let me know.

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

That's absolutely awesome. I have been thinking I'll have to attempt something similar myself one day if I'm ever to have the type of car I really want. Well done.

- Peter.

I made the comment several times, usually after I uncovered a new area of rust that needed to be dealt with, that I did not fall in love with the car enough before I started. To be honest, I had never really seen a 114 before I found this one, and I did not even test-drive it before I bought it. I was really in the market for a project to keep me active through the Chicago winter. I figured I could fix anything mechanical easy enough, and I thought the body would be fun enough to fix.

I have a binder on my desk full of all my receipts. Maybe one day I will add them all up.

[vtxflyer]

First of all, GREAT VIDEO!!!! The time lapse is awesome and It was fun to watch it all go together....and some areas were really funny to watch

I have been working on my W115 for the last couple of months also. (read..... IL/WI winter ) I bought it without driving it, and planned to make it my practice car. I'm pretty good mechanically, and suspension wise, but the rust is going to kick my butt!! I have cut, ground, cut more, ground more.........and found even more rust. So I cut, ground......uh, you get the point. I just finished welding in the new floor on the pax side and have to get started on the drivers side. It is definately a learning curve as I have never welded mig before and I just taught myself. The results aren't too bad, although it'll never be in a concours show.......... The engine runs great and I even ventured out with it yesterday and put about 30 miles on it.........It was FUN!!!

So, about the sound proofing you put down, where did you get it? I would like to put it on my floor also as the little Diesel is kinda intrusive in the cabin. I like your idea of the double layers too.

Your car looks great, I hope my next addition to the fleet will be a Coupe.

Sam

[alabbasi]

I just checked your youtube video. You work fast!

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by vtxflyer

So, about the sound proofing you put down, where did you get it? I would like to put it on my floor also as the little Diesel is kinda intrusive in the cabin. I like your idea of the double layers too.

Sam,
I think this is the insulation I used. http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=51

[pj67coll]

Ok. So the next question is, how did you learn all this stuff? Are you a mechanic or trained as a restorer or something. Because I've been thinking about trying to do something similar but after looking at your vid's I think it may be more than I can attempt.

- Peter.

[alabbasi]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Ok. So the next question is, how did you learn all this stuff? Are you a mechanic or trained as a restorer or something. Because I've been thinking about trying to do something similar but after looking at your vid's I think it may be more than I can attempt.

- Peter.

The nice thing about bodywork is that you can (unless you cut something structural) undo most cock ups that do if you make a mistake. There are a couple of videos on painting that you should get because it helps you figure out how to mix and how to paint safely. Other then that, just keep safety in mind, take your time and get take it one step at a time.

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Ok. So the next question is, how did you learn all this stuff? Are you a mechanic or trained as a restorer or something. Because I've been thinking about trying to do something similar but after looking at your vid's I think it may be more than I can attempt.

- Peter.

Nope, I am an accountant. I have been working on cars with my dad (an engineer) since I was a kid. I learned some of it from this forum, I learned some from reading books, and I learned most of it by picking it up and doing it.

You only fail when you let yourself. I rebuilt the Laycock de Normanville overdrive unit in my MGB 3 times before it worked. I could have called it quits at anytime but I kept going until it worked.

Start off small - replace a differential, change out a hood, change your own oil. You don't want the first think you to do be a complete knock down restoration. Just pace yourself, set realistic goals, and when you get completely flustered just set it down and come back tomorrow.

[pj67coll]

Interesting advice. I'm not a complete noob at this. I have done things like replace radiators, fix air cleaner mountings, replace seats, fenders, brake boosters, adjust valves etc. It's mostly the whole scope of doing a complete vehicle that you did that seems overwhelming. But you're right. Take things slow I guess and pace oneself.

- Peter.

[thorsen]

See, you're already ahead of most of the general population. Just take your time and don't be afraid to ask for help or advice.

[TheDon]

impressive. Maybe I should go buy that W111 I found and restore it .