Three days ago, I got under the mini to work on my exhaust. While underneath, I looked back at my rear subframe. I saw some dreaded rust. The unwanted gift that keeps on giving. So for the next three days, I removed the paint from the bottom horizontal frame bars to chase down the rust.  Cut out the soft metal and welded in small patches. Treated the metal and epoxy primer. The mini is 30 years old and I still have the original subframe! After I paint the top coat next week, I'm going to spray the entire bottom of the mini with fluid film. Hopefully it will delay the inevitable for a few years or at least warmer weather.

 

I made this custom stainless exhaust this morning from eBay parts (flange, resonator and pipe) .

The weather has finally turned against me. Today and the next few days it will rain. I spent the morning making these union jack covered mirrors. Also, I will mount the last of the flares. The flare in front of the gas tank. Saved that one for last.

 

Since I have my A frame back up, I'll  take advantage of the dry by making a stainless steel exhaust.

That photo shows the correct way for me now. Can really see the flake in the color. Bet the whole car looks great in the sun.

Willie B thanks for guiding me along. This photo was taken in the landscape mode. Hopefully it won't rotate.

 

What you are looking at is the left rear flare. These flares are the standard equipment that come on the later models. I found a "U" rubber to isolate the flare from touching the body. I am going to dab a few spots with contact cement. Just perfect.

All his ohotos now appear right side yp to me. (I didn't say anything for rear of distracting him from the Mini )

I see your last photo above is not rotated. It was taken in landscape mode, or sideways with your phone. Try taking future photos you want to post sideways.

Here's a side by side comparison taken from 11/24/24 and today 12/5/24. Stainless trims back. Flares back on. I changed the amber lenses to all clear. The mini is slowly coming together. Today, I'm underneath the min because I'm removing rust on battery cable metal shield that runs the length of the pan. Anytime there is a lapping of sheet metal it rusts.

 

Dan, My art studio is on the driveway. I want the sky to be my ceiling. Actually, the garage is full. It has my mini beach car, which I have not touched since flat bedding it home form the paint shop 13 months ago. A mini pup and a 1967 mark 1 Cooper s which is need of a complete restoration.

 

My art sculptures are just to big. Here is "XOXO Hugs & Kisses Sculpture that I finished on Feb 13, 2024. About 7 feet high an 30 feet long.

 

 

Ahhhh! I just looked at your website. Now I understand why the Mini work was in the driveway. Your garage must be your studio. I will have a deeper look a your website after breakfast. You ARE skilled!

Have you thought about a temporary car shelter like this? I used this for several years until an inheritance paid for a garage addition to my house. It has a sectional tube steel frame and reinforced  plastic cover. They come in several brands and sizes, from snow blower up to full sized pickup. Mine was 9' wide x 20' long. I would put it up for the winter and put it away when not needed. I put a sheet of 6 mil polyethylene down to stop rising damp and then put concrete patio slabs for a floor. It had enough bottom "skirt" to weigh down (I used snow) to keep the wind out. I used four of those corkscrew dog tether thingies to anchor the frame. Once the ground froze, it wasn't going anywhere.

 

 

 

Thanks Dan. "Rainbow Heart" is my second large sculpture completed this year. It was the first time ever working with foam and fiberglass. Fiberglass likes to be straight and flat which is the exact opposite of what I have done. When, sculpting this piece, I had to fiberglass upside down, which was a real challenge.

 

I have 3 more large sculptures to complete in my "Inspired by Love" series. If you like, check out my site - xoxojding.com.

 

Working on the mini is creative in own right, but it involves cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. The pull of working on art or the mini is like a tug of war. Which will win the day?  Working on the driveway is always a challenge with weather conditions but I've been extremely fortunate with this rolling restoration.

 

Beautiful!

 

Doubly so considering you did it in your driveway!

 

 

I'm progressing along nicely. Cleaning and painting as I go along. Spotlights went on yesterday. Stainless bumpers were sanded to 600 grit, but really need  polishing. But that will have to wait. I'm prepping the flares for paint, so this is a "before" picture along side my sculpture "Rainbow Heart".

Thanks Mike. I remember when I would exit my car and would always look back. Even though this is my only car,  for years I would not look back. I would leave the lights on and say to myself, "look back". With this new paint job, it sparkles. Not for everyone, I know. But a sixties car should have a little flake. At least that was the scene where I grew up. And yes, I look back now. It puts a smile on my face.

 

Late yesterday, I was able to get the min back on the road. I''m still adding the bright work. It's always a good feeling when you save something for years because you know that you will find a new purpose for it. I saved these scrap rubber cutoffs from inner shoe liners. The rubber is about 1/8 to 3/16 thick. I cut them into strips and glued them to the backside of the grill. Now the grill does not touch the paint. 

 

 

 

 

How do I stop the picture from turning 90 degrees on the computer when clicking on it? Does not do it on the iPhone. 

It's very green! (and cool)

 

WTG

I'd strongly advise against setting the front toe to zero (and definitely never in) as it will bugger up the running geometry.

 

FWD cars pull the front wheels inwards as they drive, which is why they are set up with a smidge of toe-out (RWD cars are set toe-in as they push outwards when rolling) to gain zero or near zero toe when moving.

You'll notice the handling change.

Slick!!!!

First picture, waiting for flatbed to bring mini home.

 

I started with putting in a new windshield from our host MM. While struggling to put the windshield in by myself, chipped the edge and then cracked it. Aghh! I'm going to try a UV glue. The crack is on the inside. I also put my first deep scratch with me wielding the metal implements and force. Added a couple of scuffs on the cowl when the windshield popped out. Oh well...

 

 

You can't see it in the pics, but the top is flaked also. I'm very happy with the outcome.

Thank you Mark for the nice compliment.

 

For the past two days, we've been busy. Four photos representing many hours. 

1st starting with sealer coat.

2nd clear coating the JRG and green metal flake.

3rd mixing up the white.

4th spraying the white base coat, a base coat of clear, then metal flake coat and finally 4 coats of clear.

 

Tomorrow, will do a peel and flat bed mini 35 home. Photos to follow. The paint job came out great. Very pleaseMetal flaking top and bottom.

Such great progress, Jim! Keep going, as you are a motivator for all of us! I know what you mean about the leaves and how that becomes the first exercise of the day, BTDT. Really cool to see that you are sticking with the Jag green from the beach car, And that white roof will set it off. Best, MSH

Dan, I made a small box with 5 single LED lights. I used a  continuous flasher unit for two of them. The other 3 comes on and stays on with the brake light.  I think you have a good idea using the existing holes.

 

Today is the day. I'm excited and looking forward to painting it. I bought this mini at the 35th birthday party in England with 1500 miles. Now 30 years later it's getting more than a deserved refresh. Off I go.