Hi all

I'm at bit of a crossroad at the moment. I've been doing up a '68 Mini-matic for the past 6 years, but time, motivation has been a problem.

The car has had everything removed and is sitting as a shell on a stand. I sprayed it with some help back in Jan 1998 but I'm not 100% happy with it and want/need to re-spray it. Coming into the colder weather, doing it at home and it drying properly is bit of a concern

My question is, are there ay places (SE suburbs Melb) that would spray the car if properly prepared or would doing it at home still be a viable option. I was hoping to get it all back together this year.

- Andrew

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1968 Mini-Matic ex998 Now 1098

obviously I don't know the whole situation with the paint, but I'd be tempted to spend the winter putting the mechanicals back together and getting it driving, then painting the exterior when the weather gets warmer

worth thinking about?

Thanks for that advice - I think I will re-assemble it, get it going and worry about the paint job later.

Always helps to get a second opinion

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1968 Mini-Matic ex998 Now 1098

Personally i think you should have it sprayed now. Considering it already in pieces. It will make for a better quality job. The other thing is will you be spraying it Exactly the same colour as previously painted or an approximate? because so much of the interior paint work is visibly in a mini you are likely to notice if theres a difference between the inside and outside colour. Even getting the inside colour matched wont get it 100% perfect.

I have just had my mini sprayed (can be seen in the members gallery). Its come out a million bucks, I'm used a base coat, which meant the panels had to be perfectly smooth or you'd notice the imperfections.

what type of paint u using acrylic? 2pac? You can hire booths for a couple of hundred. but be a competant spray painter for the best job.

i can recommend a place in Mount Evelyn that you might try? if painting in a solid 2pac. Will paint what you have prepped, so the end result will depend very much on ur prep.

I think you could put it back together In a rush over a few months, and then regret not having painted the shell properly at your leisure.

There is nothing worse in my opinion than paint which stops at a window or door rubber. It's been six years, so why not give it a few extra months and do it as you would like it?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Its Acryllic (white). When we did the first few coats, it came out with the "orange peel" effect. I've been sanding this back so its perfectly smooth (one reason for the need for a respray)

Hard decision as I dont mind paying for someone to spray it (within reason) while its in pieces, but I also want to get it going as soon as possible.

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1968 Mini-Matic ex998 Now 1098

There is a panel shop in Mordialloc that has done a few minis and his son owns one I think. I know of a few restos and smash repairs he has done but must admit I have not actually seen the work. It may be worth investigating if it is near your location. I dont know the name of the panel shop but you could ring Toby Tyler at mini spares and repairs in Seaford on 9786-0277 and ask him. I think thats where he sends his cars. I know anyone could probably do it but thought it worth mentioning that he has done a few minis.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

If you have rubbed the orange peel out and there is still paint on it try a good buff with machine and compound to bring back the shine you might be surprised at the result

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Roundies and Clubbies(except vans) are both ugly that is why I have Midas and a van
1293 Mini Midas Bronze,1275 Clubman van

The body has had some more sanding/priming and preping due to an unfortunate accident while it was store in the garage (can of paint stripper shot a nice thin line across the side of the car and ate down to the metal - pressure built up and blew a hole in the side of the can)

So it will need a full spray due to one side being re-primed.

Thanks for your suggestions and advice.

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1968 Mini-Matic ex998 Now 1098

I'm not an acrylic user, so my knowledge is a little limited here. I think acrylic gets its gloss and shine from a clear coat. I've never tried to get a shine from the base before.
I would personally get it sprayed now before it all goes back together. too many things can go wrong if you mask up a complete car for spraying.
Things like hard lines from where your tape was put on too close to the paint surface, bleeding under the tape, overspray from any hollow sections where the tape had lifted, etc, etc.
IMO, do it right the first time.
Try to get help from a painter if you can, and get it flowcoated to help beat the dreaded orange peel!

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Chuck Norris is the only person alive who can kick you in the back of the face!!
mooo, I'm a pig!

yeah i recommend possibly going down the 2pac path, most acrylic paints get chalky if not regurlarly polished, however you may to take all the acrylic off i can't remember if its acrylic over 2pac or 2pac over acrylic that reacts. another benefit of 2pac is its alot more durable and solid. Where abouts are you located?

Yeah, its acrylic over 2K, not 2K over acrylic.
Easiest way to imagine one of the effects is to look at 2K being a real solid paint (because of the catalist), and acrylic being a soft paint.
if you were to put a very thin (brittle) solid over a soft (pliable) base, then the solid layer will crack. Nasty effects like "frying up".
There is a cheat you can use (but not recommended), and that is to first lay down a 2K sealer on the acrylic, then your 2K paint. I have not done this, so as to the reasoning and the outcome, I dont know.

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Chuck Norris is the only person alive who can kick you in the back of the face!!
mooo, I'm a pig!

Maybe hi-jacking...

Whats a re-spray worth on a mini these days? (Bare shell, doors, etc)

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1978 Leyland Clubman S

Thats a bit like asking how long is a piece of string.

How much prep work is painted doing? What sort of quality do you want? How much rust needs to be fixed. Are you doing inside and out? What kind of paint? Who is going to do it.

Can cost anywhere from $500 to $30000.

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

Including taken back to bare metal, etc?
Lots of variables involved, as in soda blasting, custom paint, acrylic, 2K, metallic, pearl, how much panel work involved.
Set youself in the region of $5000-$15,000.
Another big variable is where it is done.
Backyard hacker through to a custom shop.
I couldnt give an accurate estimate, but do know of the variables involved.

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Chuck Norris is the only person alive who can kick you in the back of the face!!
mooo, I'm a pig!