Howdy all,

I am thinking about converting to a flip-front, but I'm not sure who I should be calling to check to see if its gonna be legal. My reason for the flip front it more engine bay room for when working on it, and something I can boast about. I've seen several internet guide and have several pictures, so it doesn't seem that hard, just getting the brace bars correct mainly I think.

Also, I'm in the process of getting my car all stripped back to bare metal, now once I get to bare metal what do I do next? Obviously any panel/rust replacement/removal. But then what about the small dents, do I etch prime, the filler prime and then bog? Do I bog onto bare metal, then etch prime and then filler prime? Whats the best procedure? I will be painting with 2-pack, COB in Citric Acid, the yellow/lime colour of the newer XR Falcons. So I will be getting 2-pack etch primer, a 2-pack primer and the paint. Anything else? What sort of body sandy should be done before any primers are applied? 40grit on a random orbit OK?? Or should I wet sand down to 400 grit or something?

EDIT:
Also, would a Mini K door be a direct replacement for a '67/'68 Deluxe door? Because my drivers door is shagged, and my passenger door aint exactly beautiful, plus I like the door handles on the K's.

With regards to your flip front, drop into a dpt of registry nearest you. They can provide you wth a pamphlet on modifications permissable in NSW. Dont bother asking the people behind the counter because they dont have a clue. You can phone up an inspection station and ask for advice there. In QLD I checked and they simply laughed at me despite the fact that my car is pre ADR rules. I heard you can get it complianced though with an engineers certificate in QLD, perhaps the same in NSW. As for the door, if you are talking about different door handles and I guess you mean they look flat then they would be off a 71 mini K and no they wont fit unless you severly modify the B pillar. All cars built from 65 to 70 will have doors that fit your car including a 70 mini K.

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1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

see my post in the knowledge base for the RTA guide to mods that you can download. their website also lists engineering signatories. there may be one up your way, though they are more likely to be involved in heavy vehicles. still that may make them more sympathetic if you are in the right industry up there.

good luck

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The coarse grit will rip off your paint / bog, but leave bad scratch marks either in your bare metal or residue paint.

Patience is a virtue and prep is 90% of a schmick paint job. Use 320 wet/dry and persistance. You will get a better finish, but it might take a lil bit longer.

Any fine scratch in your metal or surface will be magnified with gloss paint over the top. Sadly, I speak from experience, because I have one or two in JAM.

Hmm, thats not what I needed to hear Anton, I have virtually done the whole car with the random orbit on the Angle grinder after getting the majority off with a twisted knot wire brush.

Etch prime that, then use Hi Fill Primer. Block it back with 400 wet/dry. You may need to prime a few times, following the same procedure. I had to prime about 4 times to get a super smooth base for colour.

There is nothing wrong with doing what you did, it's just that you don't see the scratch marks untill gloss highlights them....then it's too late!!!