Car #069
- Thread starter ratrog64
- Start date
ratrog64
Well-known member
9.24.19
Got in a couple hours in before and after work today.
Started with getting the flopper stopper bolted up to the body (makes a nice solid feel to the nose!)
Got the fuel tank mounting brackets attached to the tub. I was pretty disappointed with the flaking paint already on the brackets and just didn't think repainting would really stay nice. I instead covered them in rubber. This will be good between the aluminum tank and steel bracket, and prevent scratches on the tank.
I also mounted my windshield washer bottle. I originally bought a nice universal plastic tank and motor but later thought I could do better. The blue aluminum tank is a coolant expansion tank that I will re-purpose. The blue will look nice with the body color.
Lastly I got the hood latch bracket mounted and the latch aligned.
I still need to make a cover to hide the steering box. For this car and my other 2 cars.
Got in a couple hours in before and after work today.
Started with getting the flopper stopper bolted up to the body (makes a nice solid feel to the nose!)
Got the fuel tank mounting brackets attached to the tub. I was pretty disappointed with the flaking paint already on the brackets and just didn't think repainting would really stay nice. I instead covered them in rubber. This will be good between the aluminum tank and steel bracket, and prevent scratches on the tank.
I also mounted my windshield washer bottle. I originally bought a nice universal plastic tank and motor but later thought I could do better. The blue aluminum tank is a coolant expansion tank that I will re-purpose. The blue will look nice with the body color.
Lastly I got the hood latch bracket mounted and the latch aligned.
I still need to make a cover to hide the steering box. For this car and my other 2 cars.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
*laugh* Well, you won't have to refill the washer bottle for a couple years!
ratrog64
Well-known member
The washer bottle is the blue one *hee-hee-hee*
I'll have to fill it every time I use it.
ratrog64
Well-known member
9.28.19
Started building the seat mold. This is after the tooling Gel & a skin coat of .75 oz. Let that kick for an hour and a half then 3 layers of 1.5 oz mat. I'll add 2 more layers of 1.5 oz mat tomorrow and some wood blocking to make the mold stable while making the new parts.
The original seat had been body worked pretty extensively since they were originally laid up without gelcoat. Then shot with 3 layers of highbuild primer, blocked and then shot with 2 coats of epoxy primer. Before making the mold I wet sanded the seat and buffed it to a nice shine. Next I used a mold release wax for 4 coats and then shot it with PVA mold release as an insurance policy.
All told I'll have about 20 hours in getting the seat ready and making the mold. Each seat will take about 4 hours to make. That's a big investment in time and materials just for a place to sit your ass and that doesn't count making the seat covers.
Started building the seat mold. This is after the tooling Gel & a skin coat of .75 oz. Let that kick for an hour and a half then 3 layers of 1.5 oz mat. I'll add 2 more layers of 1.5 oz mat tomorrow and some wood blocking to make the mold stable while making the new parts.
The original seat had been body worked pretty extensively since they were originally laid up without gelcoat. Then shot with 3 layers of highbuild primer, blocked and then shot with 2 coats of epoxy primer. Before making the mold I wet sanded the seat and buffed it to a nice shine. Next I used a mold release wax for 4 coats and then shot it with PVA mold release as an insurance policy.
All told I'll have about 20 hours in getting the seat ready and making the mold. Each seat will take about 4 hours to make. That's a big investment in time and materials just for a place to sit your ass and that doesn't count making the seat covers.
Last edited:
ratrog64
Well-known member
Vertical fiberglass work is no fun at all! I'm glad it's finished now. That was the last major repair / alteration I have to do to this cars body.
ratrog64
Well-known member
9.30.19
Got in a few hours after work today. Got the drivers side lower pod blocked out, trimmed and mounted hopefully for the last time in its life. I was originally going to paint these off the car but I figured the risk of scratching them between now and the time of the final assembly is pretty good. As most of you know, getting these bolted up through the side pocket hole is loads of fun. I think I spent over 30 minutes on just one bolt. *very frustrated*
One down and one to go!
Got in a few hours after work today. Got the drivers side lower pod blocked out, trimmed and mounted hopefully for the last time in its life. I was originally going to paint these off the car but I figured the risk of scratching them between now and the time of the final assembly is pretty good. As most of you know, getting these bolted up through the side pocket hole is loads of fun. I think I spent over 30 minutes on just one bolt. *very frustrated*
One down and one to go!
ratrog64
Well-known member
I guess the only advantage is the ability of being able to remove them if needed. Not that I have any plans to take this car apart ever again. My hope is that this car has a long and happy life is some futures owners garage, being cared for and appreciated for what it is.
Molding them in, in my opinion looks better but is not a simple task. If you just bolt them together and then from the outside try and make the line disappear, cracks will appear later on. I think using a body adhesive between the 2 halfs and then bolting it together you have a much better chance of not getting cracks at the line later. #114 had cracks at the body seam that I repaired but will likely get them again in the future as I did not split the panels apart. I just ground into the seam and did the best I could filling and blending it together. So far so good but then again, I've only put about 4k miles on it so far.
I want this car to have the seam line. I'm ok with the panel look since its supposed to look like a race car. Or at least that's whats in my head anyway. The paint scheme will also accentuate the panel look and there will be a stripe / detail line between the panels.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Only for replacement if one side were to get damaged.
ratrog64
Well-known member
OK Rick, so whats happening with the Sterling company? It's October 1st and you said by Oct you'd be up and running! We are all anxious to see the brand alive again. Don't keep up waiting for details. *freaking out mad*
Really, I'm jealous, regardless of what direction it goes, I wish you the best of luck. But I am too damn anxious to see what you guys do!
letterman7
Honorary Admin
*laugh* I guess I should keep people abreast here that aren't on Facebook. In short, some parts have been cast. The company we are using are having some issues with fitment with the canopy halves and they have to sort that out. I'm personally still trying to find reliable wholesalers for minor parts - the window hinges and latches specifically. What Dave was selling is no longer available, and finding parts that work the same is actually proving to be a challenge. We want to make sure that everything is 100% tested, accurate and ready to go before the site is launched, so hence the delay.
ratrog64
Well-known member
You can send me samples of all the parts you want tested since I seem to be the only one building a car that can give you honest feedback! *laugh*
letterman7
Honorary Admin
*laugh* Don't say that. I've got a car that I can test on...
Honestly, I'm waiting for parts to arrive from the UK... it's a 12 week turnaround... grrr...
Honestly, I'm waiting for parts to arrive from the UK... it's a 12 week turnaround... grrr...
ratrog64
Well-known member
What? You have a Sterling? I haven't seen any recent build updates from you. Here I thought I was the only one! *na-na-na*
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Oh yes... I still have the infamous Rose car. I look at it from time to time... but I do need to seriously start paying attention to it now that I'm part of the company. The shareholders wouldn't like projects sitting around. Oh.. wait..... *laugh*
Oh, and I also have the first or second Sovran made as well. That one is in way worse condition..
Oh, and I also have the first or second Sovran made as well. That one is in way worse condition..
ratrog64
Well-known member
10.3.19
Got about a half day in today. Started with fitting the passenger side lower panel. Got the car up on jack stands and tires off. Did a few misc things here and there. Lastly I installed my hood pads. These are pretty simple but worked really good on #114. Keeps the hood off the paint and keeps it nice a firm.
Spent the last couple of hours on the nose of the cars blocking with 400 and filling any last remaining imperfections. Now that the car is on stands and can't be rolled out of the way, I need to get some paint on it soon. I'm getting anxious to see come color on it.
Got about a half day in today. Started with fitting the passenger side lower panel. Got the car up on jack stands and tires off. Did a few misc things here and there. Lastly I installed my hood pads. These are pretty simple but worked really good on #114. Keeps the hood off the paint and keeps it nice a firm.
Spent the last couple of hours on the nose of the cars blocking with 400 and filling any last remaining imperfections. Now that the car is on stands and can't be rolled out of the way, I need to get some paint on it soon. I'm getting anxious to see come color on it.