filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
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Oct 29, 2020 12:12:43 GMT
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Question for the floor, if I may: I have permission to redecorate the conservatory in an automotive theme (I know, she's a keeper). I have a few ideas for this, with one of them being a mini front end as a piece of ‘wall art’. Not very original I know, but hoping to set it apart slightly with headlights and spotlights acting as room lighting, and also a couple of fans behind the grille to disperse some heat build up in summer. I picked up a cheap GRP front end, intending to fill, sand and paint all nicely… however I am quite liking the patina:  I have the lights, indicators and spotlights, but no grille/surround or bumper yet, although I would not fit a bumper if leaving as is. So, would you make it all shiney, or leave it with ‘character’? |
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'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention
'02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think
'03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic)
'09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
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Oct 29, 2020 12:25:05 GMT
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Paint it. I think that will be the difference between "interesting room centrepiece" and "piece of scrap nailed to the wall"
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Oct 29, 2020 12:54:34 GMT
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If it was a garage wall, I'd say as is. In the house I think smarter is better.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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Oct 29, 2020 14:03:21 GMT
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Tidied up, that can work. Do not shy away from giving it a decent make over. Non car guys do not get “patina” and age related wear. Making it a useable and functional adds to the appeal. I gave a nice bootlid to OGDB and am still waiting for him to collect. But having it as a fold down door on a cabinet, with some rear lights on both sides could work as part of the theme. You could get real lucky if some of the guys on here have bits to put your way, to get the right look. I would be happy for you to have taken the bootlid here, but Big Tee has first dibs.  |
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Oct 29, 2020 14:10:27 GMT
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I take it youre just going to chop off and hang the front 6 inches or so? Personally i quite like the patina, and I'd probably keep it like that, just fit new chrome and shiny bits for contrast, maybe even treat the bodywork to gloss clearcoat too.
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765 
Club RR Member Number: 12
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Oct 29, 2020 14:42:02 GMT
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Yep, fresh chromework and a splash of lacquer will look good.
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I voted to do it up nice. I’d also be tempted to fit some soft/dimmable led strips behind it (all around the outer rear edge); that way at night you’d light up the shape as well, rather than just have the headlights.
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Sorry filmidget I didn't mean my last comment to come across as negative - I think it's a good idea! In a house setting I think painted and shiny would be more fitting. In a garage scenario that's a different matter and both would look good! |
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filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
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Oct 30, 2020 10:44:11 GMT
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Pretty strong in favour of a proper job.
Benzboy - no apology necessary - was admirably succinct!
firenzaboxer - genius thinking, especially as I was already on planning to use an Arduino to control various modes/functions via a little IR remote.
Thanks chaps.
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'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention
'02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think
'03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic)
'09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
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Oct 30, 2020 12:14:42 GMT
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I'd say paint it, what else are you putting in there?
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1966 Ford Cortina GT
2018 Ford Fiesta ST
Full time engineer, part time waffler on Youtube - see Jim_Builds
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filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
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Oct 30, 2020 12:41:10 GMT
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Shhhh... secret at the moment...
But things like the SPAM FROM at one end having some nice car door handles, couple of sets of plastic drawers replaced by mid size tool drawers, that kind of thing.
Will possibly start a thread on it when I get around to starting as the foundations went in for our new house (and garage!) extension yesterday so I might be a bit busy!
EDIT: Didn't realise 'cupboards you might put in a place of cooking operations' would be censored!
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Last Edit: Oct 30, 2020 12:43:08 GMT by filmidget
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention
'02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think
'03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic)
'09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
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Oct 30, 2020 14:48:47 GMT
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I would certainly paint it for in the house. Making it look nice will earn extra brownie points - as stated above, unless your Mrs has lots of car buddies, they won't "get" the patina's look. However, the "Magpie effect" of a nice shiny bit of decoration will lead to lots of positive comments from non-car enthusiasts.
If it was in the garage, I would totally leave it as it is. However, it isn't, so I would make it look pretty.
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Oct 30, 2020 15:18:31 GMT
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Once youve got the colours sorted for the room, id recomend painting the mini to match, or at least compliment it to make it look like part of the room. Personally id do it in full on mk1 style. Incidently ive found Valspar is a great place for choosing colours.
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Oct 30, 2020 15:42:34 GMT
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Metalflake
I have no more to add 😂
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765
Club RR Member Number: 12
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Oct 30, 2020 17:18:32 GMT
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Metalflake I have no more to add 😂 Or flames, or over sprayed lace.😂 |
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Oct 30, 2020 17:30:08 GMT
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Metalflake I have no more to add 😂 Or flames, or over sprayed lace.😂 All of the above 😎 |
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,000
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Oct 30, 2020 17:56:54 GMT
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Italian job replica?
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