1275GT - Paint Stripping Results
Turbo Mini Forums

I thought some of you guys might be interested in this. I'm not going to go into the project as a whole as it is basically a strip and rebuild with no turbo and no outstanding feats of engineering.

However below are the results of having my shell paint stripped by dipping. This was done by a company in the North West, considerably cheaper than Surface Processing and with a much shorter lead time (ie 2 weeks notice and car away for 1 week!). As yet they can't do e-coating but the shell is given a phosphate wash which keeps the rust at bay.

I know there are people in both camps for this type of stripping, but given the shell condition, and the poor adhesion of the paint that was on it, this seemed the best way to go.

So off it went:



And as if by magic......




A few close ups:

Edited by graemec on 9th Jun, 2010.

Excellent results

How much if you dont mind me asking?

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

Looks a very very solid shell apart from anything else!

Can you tell us the name of the company- a mate of mine is lining up to have a car dipped in the next 18 months or so.

For the shell, doors, bonnet, boot lid and a few odds and sods - £450+VAT

Saved time, noise and hassle with grinders etc to get at the rusty bits plus saved rubbing down time saved at bodyshop rates = priceless!

Tom - yes, the shell is excellent, the best I've ever come across. Just 3 small pin prick rust holes!!

It was done at Ribble Technologies, Preston
www.paint-strip.co.uk

Edited by graemec on 9th Jun, 2010.

Hi Graeme,

Very interested in this. Could you PM details of the company and a rough cost?

EDIT: Too late!

Edited by John on 9th Jun, 2010.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Well... I was thinking about having the outside of my shell blasted, I'm now re-thinking that!

What does the phosphate wash do for you? Is it just a temporary coasting and does the car need to be primed asap?

The phospahte coating stops the shell flash rusting, obviously the car has to be kept in a dry garage though.

A friend had an Imp done over 8 months ago and it is still not in primer - the only surface rust is where he has attacked the shell with grinder and welder.

Mine is due to go to paint early July - I will post pics of how the shell fares in that time as I (currently) don't have plans to prime it other than painting and stonechipping the underneath.

Am I correct in assuming that this will remove any body filler/seam sealer on the shell too?

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Yup - removes everything. I will be having a day in the garage with a few tubes of seam sealer!

Thanks Graeme - you just cost me £500

That shell is a minter

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

fook me that is a good shell..

i would get both mine dipped but i wouldnt be able to make 1 mini out of the 2

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Thats a great result, I can't believe how tidy that shell is!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

mate of mine said dipping costed like £1,200. just forwarded this to him as he is currently prepping his escort for paint.

that shell is mint, will get lisa's done once my engines back together

Surely BL could have rust proofed most of there cars with something in the factory?

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

They did, paint.

An Escort may be dearer - in fact I would advise ringing and checking it will fit in their tank (although I think he mentioned having done a Sierra).

I think Surface Processing are somwhere around £600 + VAT and then similar again for e-coat so I can quite believe quote of £1200+. They also have about a 9 month wait!

To be fair this shell was bought as a 'spare part' from a Rover delaership in the early 80s. As such I think it had had much better paint (if not an e-coat) from new - it certainly did the trick in helping it last 30 years!

Be warned - this process will find every bit of rust and remove it, if your shell isn't good you may end up with a teabag! But at least you'll know what panels to replace.

Edited by graemec on 9th Jun, 2010.

Thats better than my shell, and mine has had 30 years of sun to keep it happy.

In boost we trust

yeah he said something about dipping, them primering then him having to rub back fix panels and then dip again and spray etc and at 1200 i can see it being expensive.

but i cant imagine an escort be much more expensive than that surely :o

That shell is so good.. wish i had one like that!

nice, but do you need to bring them stripped car or they are doing that?

Edited by chominsh on 9th Jun, 2010.

Nothing special!

Thats very good and a brilliant price to be honest.

I cant beleve how amazing that shell is.

rick

I tried to get mine done but the cheapest I found was £1300

The shell looks pretty good, why did you get it dipped?