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 | February 10, 2007 - We've planned on running a hardtop right from the beginning.
While it would be fun to run as a convertible, we know what the weather in Newfoundland can be like in September! We'd want a top of some sort, and a hardtop with a Lexan rear window is lighter than a soft top. It's also more aerodynamic.
So here it is, our hardtop. It's a little hammered, with chunks missing from the paint and a shattered rear window. As part of a hardtop shuffle, I'm going to end up painting a white hardtop blue and a black hardtop white. It doesn't make sense until you see the pristine, perfect white hardtop beside our damaged black one! The white hardtop is going on a street car instead.
entry 43 |
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 | February 10, 2007 - When you're in a major project like this, do yourself a favour.
Put little parts in bags and label them. Even if you know the car extremely well - I'd like to think I fall into that category - it makes life much easier.
entry 44 - tags: tips |
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 | February 10, 2007 - It's time to start working on the paint job.
First step, make sure the car is clean. It's amazing how many little crevices there are in a modern car. After all, it's essentially fabricated out of sheet steel that's been folded and welded together in a very complex shape. Just how complex becomes clear as you try to get every little corner clean...
entry 45 - tags: paint |
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 | February 10, 2007 - Now that the body is clean, it's time to go over it again with wax and grease remover.
Despite the careful cleaning, an extraordinary amount of grime comes off the car.
By the way, I'm learning as I go with this painting gig. If there are any experienced painters out there who see me doing something wrong, don't hesitate to offer advice!
entry 46 - tags: paint |
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 | February 10, 2007 - The new paint won't stick to nice shiny baked-on factory paint - which is what we have here - so it's time to scuff it up.
On the interior paint, we're using scotchbrite pads. For the exterior, it's 600 grit sandpaper.
entry 47 - tags: paint |
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 | February 10, 2007 - The paint's been scuffed.
Now all I have to do is the final cleaning (again!).
entry 48 - tags: paint |
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February 10, 2007 - I've added a guestbook to the site.
It's always good to hear from other people who are watching the race effort. So if you have a question, a comment, a warning or just want to say hi, have a look.
entry 49 - tags: announcements |
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 | February 11, 2007 - Before the hardtop can be used, it needs to be prepped.
Step one is to remove the remains of the rear window. It's possible to do this without breaking the window if you're careful. If you're dealing with a broken window like I did, eye and hand protection is a must!
entry 50 |
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 | February 11, 2007 - We'll bolt the hardtop on.
This means the very heavy latches need to be removed. These are held in with some industrial threadlocker. You have to be very careful not to let the screwdriver slip or you can easily round out the screw heads. A previous owner did just that on the screw closest to the camera. Some careful screwdriver work and I got it out - I've learned some good lessons about recalcitrant and damaged fasteners from my old Land Rover.
entry 51 - tags: weight loss |
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 | February 11, 2007 - Who would have thought there were so many parts in a hardtop?
By the time all the latches, weatherstripping, gaskets and brackets are removed, the hardtop is significantly lighter.
entry 52 |
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February 12, 2007 - The guestbook actually works now.
Whoops. Sorry to anyone who tried to sign it and wasn't able to - it's working now. Sign or read it.
entry 53 - tags: announcements |
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February 13, 2007 - Those with sharp eyes will notice some navigation changes to the site.
You can now read the updates in reverse chronological order - in other words, with the newest updates at the top. Click on the link at the top or bottom of the page that reads "Show newest first". The site will remember your preference. Feedback is appreciated!
entry 54 - tags: announcements |
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February 13, 2007 - We would like to welcome Corbeau as a sponsor of the Targa Miata team.
Corbeau will be supplying the seats and harnesses for the car. We approached them because we found their seats were the most comfortable of all the ones we've tried - and we've tried quite a few.
The FX1 Pro seat is also a very compact one that will fit well in our small car while providing us the comfort and support we'll need for a full week of racing.
entry 55 - tags: announcements, seats |
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 | February 16, 2007 - It's time to paint, so how do you move a chassis with no wheels or suspension to another part of the garage?
With these handy dollies, loaned to us by Flyin' Miata. It's kinda fun driving the car around on these, one person can easily maneuver it around the shop with one hand.
entry 56 |
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 | February 16, 2007 - In the temporary paint booth.
Some inexpensive plastic sheeting is used to contain the overspray and the fumes. The floor has been swept, vacuumed and mopped and still the plastic picks up dust with static electricity. Oh well, maybe it will hold it instead of letting it into the air. The car's awaiting one final degrease and then it's ready to start shooting paint!
The goal is to have the chassis painted by the end of the weekend. The other body parts will be done later, as it's the chassis that's holding everything else up at this point.
entry 57 - tags: paint |
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 | February 17, 2007 - Tah-daaah!
A white Miata. Okay, it's just the primer coat and there's still a whole lot to learn before we can lay down a good paint job, but this is a major hurdle. Tomorrow the top coat goes on.
I'm using HVLP equipment to spray - the lack of overspray is dramatic. This is good.
entry 58 - tags: paint |
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 | February 17, 2007 - This is the first car I've painted.
At first, I figured that changing the color of a complete car was a tough way to start - but really, it's a pretty good one. I can easily see where I've missed a spot or where coverage is uneven. Also, since the car is totally stripped, there are very few exterior panels where the finish is important. Most of the work is figuring out how to get paint into all the nooks and crannies. The engine bay is a pain.
entry 59 - tags: paint |
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 | February 17, 2007 - While the engine bay was a pain to paint, the roll cage was truly difficult.
First, I kept painting myself into a corner and making it difficult to access the next tricky spot. Then there's the problem of trying to get all sides of all tubes. It's not going to be fun shooting the final coat on this. Still, it looks just as cool as I'd hoped it would, as if the whole car was just dipped in a big vat of paint.
entry 60 - tags: paint |
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 | February 17, 2007 - The biggest problem is the paint on the rear fenders.
It's, umm, textured. Obviously more time learning the spray gun is required, and I've had some good advice on solving the problem. I'll sand this down before the top coat goes on. Oh well, if I didn't want to learn I would have paid someone else to do the work instead.
entry 61 - tags: paint |
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 | February 18, 2007 - Hi Mom!
entry 62 - tags: paint |
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THE DIARY