1948 Triumph Roadster Supercharged plus other stuff…

[gazzam]

Did a little more on the glass this morning, but I got sick of chasing sanding scratches, just couldn’t seem to get rid of them.
So I walked away from it.
It’s so very boring, and it must be said, unsatisfying. At least so far. There’s no huge improvement in the appearance.

So I finished sandblasting the bonnet latches, and gave them a coat of Hirsche Miracle paint.
Brushed on the first coat, then sprayed another, an hour or so later.







The bonnet halves have spent the day in the sun. Probably give them another day or so of that, and then sand them, hopefully for topcoat.

Thanks.

[glenanderson]

In the UK at least, getting flat tempered (or laminated) glass is relatively straightforward. Can you go that route, or do your regulations mean it’s a minefield?

[gazzam]

Haven’t considered replacing it tbh.
It’s not actually flat, has about 3/8 inch bulge in it, but flat would be ok.
I don’t think regs would be a drama.
But I have no idea where I’d get replacements, might do some ringing around the windscreen suppliers.
Thanks for the suggestion.

[jamesd1972]

Nov 2, 2024 9:28:12 GMT gazzam said:

Haven’t considered replacing it tbh.
It’s not actually flat, has about 3/8 inch bulge in it, but flat would be ok.
I don’t think regs would be a drama.
But I have no idea where I’d get replacements, might do some ringing around the windscreen suppliers.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Tractor / plant engineers are the place to ask in the UK - lots of flat laminated glass takes a hit and has to be fitted on-site.
James

[blackpopracing]

I've had good results with glass polishing kits.

[nze12]

On another topic - look what's popped up over here...

www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/triumph/other/listing/5001102283

[gazzam]

Thanks for reminding me Mark.
I have an Eastwood kit, and I’d forgotten about the ‘sanding’ discs it contains.





I’ve used them before, so the sticky was kaput, but a bit of spray adhesive worked fine.
And I reckon I’m nearly there as far as this piece of glass goes.





In an attempt to bake the primer on the bonnet, to try and avoid any shrinkage problems, I had them hanging in the sun yesterday.
Like this previous pic, but topcoat on the underside, multiple coats of primer on the topside.





I was inside the shed, polishing glass as it happens, when I heard a loud crash.
Rushed outside to find the frame collapsed and the bonnet halves on the ground.
I thought the worst, they’re aluminium after all.

Carried them inside, cursing the wind.

But once I looked them over, all I could see was a slightly bent corner.





That pic was after I’d straightened and sanded it. Somehow, it never occurred to me to take a photo of them lying on the ground or the damage prior to fixing. I was too cranky.

I was amazed how little damage there was.
A couple of very small scratches on the primer, none on the topcoated underside.

This is the only scratch that didn’t sand out, the smallest amount of filler I’ve ever mixed!







Later on I looked at the frame they'd been hanging on.

It was so unstable, I was stunned.
I’m surprised it hadn’t fallen over previously.

I’ll add some struts or something before I use it outdoors again.

So I gave them yet another coat of primer, and will topcoat in a couple of days hopefully.


Thanks.

[blackpopracing]

don't you just hate that when it happens? I think we all have that T shirt at some point.

Good that it waa minimal damage though.

[daddyshortlegs]

Nov 4, 2024 13:21:37 GMT blackpopracing said:

don't you just hate that when it happens? I think we all have that T shirt at some point.

Good that it waa minimal damage though.

Grass as I recall

[gazzam]

I realise you’re talking of something else, but I can assure you they didn’t land on grass here!

Nice sharp granite sand and concrete.




I’m still stunned at the amount of damage. And pleased, I should add, even though it was my own stupid fault.


Talking of glass polishing, I looked for more of the sanding discs in the Eastwood kit.
Couldn’t find them in this country, but I did see something interesting.

Here’s the Eastwood kit in the US.





And here. At a stunning price!




How do they calculate that?
Is your grandmother’s age involved?

I see these huge markups all the time.

[75swb]

Now imagine 1/5 of the population and aussie seems a bargain to those of us in NZ!

[gazzam]

Bonnets are painted. Got a few runs as I experimented with adding a fraction more reducer, in order that it would flatten nicely and I might be able to get away without colour sanding.
Made a rod for my own back with that…





And I’ve been playing with the CAD to try and make some of these.






I learned of these bumpers because when I stripped the paint, I found a hole for the red circled one.
So a kind gent on here sent me dimensions (as well as that photo) and I was able to make these.





The ones at the front corner have been more of a challenge.
And there were no holes at that corner, so I may pull the plug on those.
We’ll see.

And I forgot to take pics, but the rear screen is back in place.
The side that I spent forever on is better than the other one, but I bet 99% of lookers wouldn’t notice the difference.

Thanks.

[gazzam]

Been working on the Triumph bonnet.
I was able to sort the few sags and runs that I got in the topcoat.
Used the thin-layer-of-filler method.
This worked well because the naughty bits were on the flat parts of the panels.
I got a couple of small rub thoughs, so I blew some colour over them yesterday afternoon.
They can be hand compounded in a few days.

First off this morning I tapped home the central hinge pin, to rejoin the two bonnet halves.





Then the stainless cover strip was tapped into place.






So then the bonnet could be put in place, very carefully, by myself.
I’m not worried about the bonnet, it’s obviously indestructible, but I was worried about scratching the car…

I had a fiddle around with the CAD and experimented with designs for the corner buffers.





Eventually got some sorted and printed and installed.





I like how they stop the rear corners scratching the paint on the underside of the bonnet when it’s open.







Quite pleased with them.
Which is lucky, because I’ve drilled holes to install them, so they ain't coming off!
Well, hopefully not, anyway.

So it’s pretty much done, it can vacate the workshop and I can get serious about the Tiger.

Thanks for reading and commenting, good for the motivation.

[glenanderson]

You are building up a very enviable collection of cars. What’s your plan for them all? Keep the lot and drive the one that suits your mood of the day? Are they a long term investment, or do you plan to move them on and do others to keep you busy?

[gazzam]

Glad to hear you like my cars, Glen.
I got a bit of a collecting bug, back when I still had the bike shop.
This one was my ‘1940s and suicide doors’.

I didn’t buy them as investments, though they’ve generally increased in value quite a bit since I bought them.
Some I bought just because I liked them, others with the idea of a retirement project.
But I have no intention of selling any of them, so the increase in value just puts up the insurance premiums.
And tbh, I don’t drive them much.
I prefer being in my workshop, than out driving, unless there’s a localish show on.
Actually I find it a bit of a chore to get them out once a month to give them a run.
I just like owning them, and given that it’s a pretty small market here in Aus, and I live a fair way from any of the capital cities, selling is not easy anyway.

All the best,
Garry.