Did some more, there's no turning back now.

Say goodbye to the body color roof.


I started the prep work to get it turned black.




Peeled off the clear bra, there is quite a bit of glue left behind that needs to be removed before sanding. (I know it's hard to see the differance, it was a CLEAR bra.)


No more chance of snagging a carp with that fishing rod they call an antena (Yes it's been removed for a long time but the hole was still there) Hole meet Plug.


A little welding, a little filler you'll never even know it was there.


That was all for today, tomorrow I need to scuff out some rock chips and make some body mud.

 

Time to quit sittin around and get back to work.

 

Waiting on the 1st round of filler to cure, the roof will be ready for some high build sealer primer tonight. Too bad it's not gettin it.

 

The roof is ready for primer. It's perfectly smooth, the antena hole is gone, now I just need to shoot it. (When I get the materials ofcourse)

Buzzing down the rock chips with 120 grit, there was a bunch of them.


A tiny chip out of the paint should look like this to make sure the new paint comes out smooth.


Feathering out the paint around where the antena was, if you look close you can see a darker shadow behind where the hole was, that was a dent that I needed to take care of.


A stress dent on the sides of the roof, nobody believed me that they where there. Here's the proof. Hopefully they wont ever come back.


Blocking out multiple rock chips. You want to peel the layers of paint as far back as possible.


The antena hole all preped and ready for filler. (It kinda looks like a face)


Ah mud.




And the finished product after everything was smoothed, then blocked with the 320 grit for final prep before primer.






No sign of a hole ever being in the roof. Pay no attention to how the holes for the wing look like they are pulling up and peeling back. They will be delt with, and I am adding a couple mounting points to the wing to make sure it dosent happen again. (There is NO reason to hold a wing that big with 2 studs and some double stick tape! What where they thinking?)

 

Trying to decide if I want to start actually preping the body tomorrow.

 

great looking naca duct. delete the wash nozzle?

 

Yes I did the tank and pump will be coming out when I pull the A-pannels off. Dont need the washer when you can always just pull over and wash the windshield.

 

Looks good, I never had the patience for body work, I actually finally got rid of all my plasti-dip over the w/e while I was waiting for parts.

Oh & btw, this belt tool SUCKS!, I'm going to redesign one.

 

Thanks Mark, Ive gotta do something with my car, and its not going anywhere for a while.

Belt tool? You mean that pice of steel with the hex bolts sticking through one end?
Yeah that thing is a POS! I cut about 6 inches off of one end and got rid of those useless bolts. Ive got just enough grip to squeese the tensioner down, but it works and dosent hit the P/S lines, swaybar, framerail, or anything else like the full length stick did. Remember to squeese the tensioner about as fast as a snail swiming in molasses on a cold day, or you could pop the one tiny C-clip that holds the thing togeather again.

 

I cut mine too, still not enough, (by a C-hair) got some ideas, I'll e-mail you if I come up with something good.

 

Rick--
That washer tank *would* be a handy place to put water/meth mix or isopropyl for an intercooler external misting system, so you can hit the washer switch and cool off your intercooler when you need to. I'm sure you could get some misting nozzles at Lowes or Home Despot and fab up something useful....

C ya,
Dutch

 

Ive had it rigged up as a I/C sprayer before, but the last time I was at the drag strip they told me I couldnt use it because it was dripping water doun the track. My W/M tank is the 3 gallon tank in the back so I am good on that. It's just kinda useless right now.

I'm thinking about welding the holes for the rear MINI emblem up and not putting that badge back on, but I dont know I kinda like having it there. Any thoughts?

 

My roof needs major work as well. The old owner used the OEM roof rack, so it has the 8 mounting point holes (that I am OK with leaving there) and a ton of dents, dings and scratches.

Currently it is white, but I think when I tackle it I am going to change it to black. This is a nice reference. Thanks DGR

 

No problem Billy, if you where in the Denver area, one of my best friends has a body shop, I'm sure he would cut you a deal.

 

Actually I might be in Denver this august, but it will be by plane... I will be flying in from South Carolina, and my Mini will be parked in PA... :D

 

The hatch is preped.

See if you can spot the differances...



Sometimes you luck out and your ding feathers out perfect without any filler.