Mary get new clothes

[VK3UTE]

Hi All. Thought I might start a thread detailing my progress on the new body work for Mary. The plan at this stage is to find as many new old stock and good second hand panels as I can to minimize the time and panel beating required. With the addition of Gibbo to the collection I have managed to get two good front mudguard tops and inners as well as a good passenger side door which I couldn't find NOS anywhere in Aus.
Yesterday I picked up two outer mudguard skins and a driver side door NOS as well as a good second hand bonnet and tailgate.
So it looks like panel beating will be required for the roof, tub and sills which I hope wont cost too much. The Tub from Gibbo is fairly good compared to that fitted to Mary currently so that will be completely stripped and repaired. I'm not sure about the painting yet, I need to find someone who is willing to paint the alloy and is sympathetic to the cause.

All going well I want to have the works complete in six months but I think the minister for finance will have the final say...




I will try to keep the thread up to date for anyone interested

Cheers Simon

[Ozdunc]

I'm being dim. NOS?

[isuzutoo-eh]

NOS=New Old Stock

[chazza]

I'm being dim. NOS?

Or "New Original Stock" - old parts that are unused.

[VK3UTE]

Hi All. Making a little progress on the body work. Removed the Ute cab and started paint stripping the roof, outer guard and new door. I don't know what paint the army put on their door but the paint stripper barely did a thing! might have to sand the paint off it...




Cheers Simon

[geodon]

I'm probably like the boy teaching his grandmother how to suck eggs but remember you are dealing with aluminium.

Try another paint stripper.

Scaping and sanding WILL scratch.

But then, the factory made NO effort to hide its spot welds so what the hell?

May be sandblasting with a soft plastic medium??

[VK3UTE]

Thanks Geodon, I am using the Diggers brand of stripper which was half the price of the others so I will give another brand a go. The panel beating mob didn't recommend sand blasting for the aluminium, they said it can make the alloy brittle? I keep persevering and see how I go...

Cheers Simon.

[geodon]

Simon I see you are in the Yarra Valley.
If you ever get to the western suburbs I have been using this place for decades:

Advance/Wertheim Altona, VIC

They have a retail "shop" at their factory.

Paint stripper
Rust inhibitor
Polish
Degreaser

etc etc.

REALLY high quality stuff at generic prices.