3 Rotor FB build - "Silvie II" - Page 3

ducktape · 02-06-2011, 02:04 AM

Filling Holes

This chassis had a lot of unnecessary holes. Some were factory, but a lot of them were added over the years by myself and Ludwig. The car has had 3 wholly different engines, each with their own distinct equipment, and anytime we needed to add something new we just busted out the drill and put things where they needed to be.

In doing the body work, I wanted to be as thorough as possible. The antenna hole is gone, all badges (front, side and rear), The heater and air-conditioning orifices, and all the holes used to bolt trim to the front and rear bumpers. The smaller holes were simply filled with weld, ground down, and smoothed with body-filler. The larger holes required cutting blanks out of sheet metal that was welded in place.

The worst rust damage in the whole car was in the sill of the rear hatch where the drain had become clogged and rusted through. This repair was probably the most complicated of this effort.

ducktape · 02-06-2011, 02:18 AM

Body filler

Some time before I owned this car, the area behind the rear hatch had been damaged. It was repaired sloppily and looked terrible. So this had to be taken down to bare metal and the wrinkles smoothed with body filler. In the pictures it looks like a lot was needed, but it's actually a pretty thin layer. I would have preferred not to have use even that much, but the existing damage left me few options. All the same, it will look just fine and since quality filler was used it should last the life of the car.

ducktape · 02-06-2011, 02:45 AM

Primer, Round 1

At last, some primer. I started off building a booth in my garage. It's basically some bailing wire stretched between trusses with heavy-gauge plastic strung across the top. Since this primer doesn't create a lot of overspray, I opted to leave the ends open for the moment. I'll construct a section next week to enclose the area completely.

The car was masked from the body-line up as that's where all the major repairs have been made. This was a simple coverage layer for the repairs, so the underhood, sunroof, and jam areas are masked. Next week the car will be primed again with several thick layers of primer in preperation for blocking and watersanding.

I've been trying to decide on which brand and shade of silver to paint the car. At this point it's a toss up between House of Kolor fine-metallic Orion Silver or the modern two-stage version of the original Mazda K3 "Sunbeam Silver". It's really a tough decision! The HoK silver will be brighter, easier to apply, and probably last longer... The original Silver would be nostalgic, and would match in areas where paint isn't being applied. I've heard that two-stage conversions of old colors aren't as good so I'm leaning towards the HoK. I invite suggestions.

That's all for now. I'll try to update a little more often as I make progress. I expect I should soon have pictures of the 20b in glorious Silver/Chevy-engine Orange paint.

/Special thanks to Bronson for renting me his expertise

diabolical1 · 02-07-2011, 07:07 PM

dude, i remember your car when it had the REW in it. it was actually one of my favorite cars on the boards. i love it. it sucks about your job. i've been going through the same ordeal for 21 months now, so i feel your pains. i often wondered what had happened to you. i'm glad to see you're putting it back together though - and with a 20B no less!

you're making good progress with the body. i'm sure it will be sweet when all is done.

GoopyPerformance · 02-07-2011, 08:23 PM

Seems like your dedicated and committed to finish this job...
Rare nowadays...

All in all excellent work.

ducktape · 02-09-2011, 12:19 AM

Thanks for the comments guys. I know there's been a lot more FB than 20B so far, but it's starting to come together. Will have some more work done Saturday, and more pics.

13bpower · 02-12-2011, 11:16 PM

great work and keep us posted...

ducktape · 02-14-2011, 01:13 AM

Not much to report this week. Finished the paint booth, a few more holes filled and the passenger-side fender and the hood. Next week I'll be in Primm, NV to pit crew for an off-road race team so not much will get done for a while. I'll use the time to order parts.

I did media blast the LIM... About to send it off for powder-coating.

ducktape · 03-03-2011, 01:03 PM

Gaps came out perfect! Not one original body panel on this car... In fact, each panel is from a different car! More primer this weekend.

ducktape · 04-24-2011, 04:10 AM

Past couple of weeks progress. Lots of primer.

ducktape · 04-24-2011, 04:15 AM

Today the first coats were applied using a two-stage version of Mazda's K3 Sunbeam silver; the cars' original color. Aside from the places where I've removed undercoating, I've never actually seen original K3 paint. I extremely pleased so far!

ducktape · 08-09-2011, 12:19 AM

WE3RX7 · 08-09-2011, 09:09 AM

That looks realy good man. I love how your engine bay turned out. Can't wait to see it riding with it's new weight up front and that air dam.... good progress.

Gotpam? · 08-09-2011, 09:33 AM

That looks awesome, keep up the great work.....enjoying your build.

-xlr8planet- · 08-09-2011, 03:56 PM

great work!

02-06-2011, 02:45 AM	#33
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Primer, Round 1 At last, some primer. I started off building a booth in my garage. It's basically some bailing wire stretched between trusses with heavy-gauge plastic strung across the top. Since this primer doesn't create a lot of overspray, I opted to leave the ends open for the moment. I'll construct a section next week to enclose the area completely. The car was masked from the body-line up as that's where all the major repairs have been made. This was a simple coverage layer for the repairs, so the underhood, sunroof, and jam areas are masked. Next week the car will be primed again with several thick layers of primer in preperation for blocking and watersanding. I've been trying to decide on which brand and shade of silver to paint the car. At this point it's a toss up between House of Kolor fine-metallic Orion Silver or the modern two-stage version of the original Mazda K3 "Sunbeam Silver". It's really a tough decision! The HoK silver will be brighter, easier to apply, and probably last longer... The original Silver would be nostalgic, and would match in areas where paint isn't being applied. I've heard that two-stage conversions of old colors aren't as good so I'm leaning towards the HoK. I invite suggestions. That's all for now. I'll try to update a little more often as I make progress. I expect I should soon have pictures of the 20b in glorious Silver/Chevy-engine Orange paint. /Special thanks to Bronson for renting me his expertise Last edited by ducktape; 02-06-2011 at 02:49 AM.

04-24-2011, 04:10 AM	#40
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Past couple of weeks progress. Lots of primer. Last edited by ducktape; 04-24-2011 at 04:15 AM.

08-09-2011, 03:56 PM	#45
-xlr8planet- RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 679 Rep Power: 18	great work! __________________ www.rx7club.com.ar RX-7 Forum in Spanish I make custom decals. Yes, you can ask me

02-06-2011, 02:04 AM	#31
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Filling Holes This chassis had a lot of unnecessary holes. Some were factory, but a lot of them were added over the years by myself and Ludwig. The car has had 3 wholly different engines, each with their own distinct equipment, and anytime we needed to add something new we just busted out the drill and put things where they needed to be. In doing the body work, I wanted to be as thorough as possible. The antenna hole is gone, all badges (front, side and rear), The heater and air-conditioning orifices, and all the holes used to bolt trim to the front and rear bumpers. The smaller holes were simply filled with weld, ground down, and smoothed with body-filler. The larger holes required cutting blanks out of sheet metal that was welded in place. The worst rust damage in the whole car was in the sill of the rear hatch where the drain had become clogged and rusted through. This repair was probably the most complicated of this effort.

02-06-2011, 02:18 AM	#32
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Body filler Some time before I owned this car, the area behind the rear hatch had been damaged. It was repaired sloppily and looked terrible. So this had to be taken down to bare metal and the wrinkles smoothed with body filler. In the pictures it looks like a lot was needed, but it's actually a pretty thin layer. I would have preferred not to have use even that much, but the existing damage left me few options. All the same, it will look just fine and since quality filler was used it should last the life of the car.

02-07-2011, 07:07 PM	#34
diabolical1 I have radioactive semen Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a bottle of Glenfiddich Posts: 249 Rep Power: 17	dude, i remember your car when it had the REW in it. it was actually one of my favorite cars on the boards. i love it. it sucks about your job. i've been going through the same ordeal for 21 months now, so i feel your pains. i often wondered what had happened to you. i'm glad to see you're putting it back together though - and with a 20B no less! you're making good progress with the body. i'm sure it will be sweet when all is done.

02-07-2011, 08:23 PM	#35
GoopyPerformance Rotary parts manufacture Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Stony point NY Posts: 170 Rep Power: 15	Seems like your dedicated and committed to finish this job... Rare nowadays... All in all excellent work.

02-09-2011, 12:19 AM	#36
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the comments guys. I know there's been a lot more FB than 20B so far, but it's starting to come together. Will have some more work done Saturday, and more pics.

02-12-2011, 11:16 PM	#37
13bpower Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: May 2008 Location: New hope mn Posts: 57 Rep Power: 17	great work and keep us posted...

02-14-2011, 01:13 AM	#38
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Not much to report this week. Finished the paint booth, a few more holes filled and the passenger-side fender and the hood. Next week I'll be in Primm, NV to pit crew for an off-road race team so not much will get done for a while. I'll use the time to order parts. I did media blast the LIM... About to send it off for powder-coating.

03-03-2011, 01:03 PM	#39
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Gaps came out perfect! Not one original body panel on this car... In fact, each panel is from a different car! More primer this weekend.

04-24-2011, 04:15 AM	#41
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16	Today the first coats were applied using a two-stage version of Mazda's K3 Sunbeam silver; the cars' original color. Aside from the places where I've removed undercoating, I've never actually seen original K3 paint. I extremely pleased so far!

08-09-2011, 12:19 AM	#42
ducktape Hardcore Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 88 Rep Power: 16

08-09-2011, 09:09 AM	#43
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 19	That looks realy good man. I love how your engine bay turned out. Can't wait to see it riding with it's new weight up front and that air dam.... good progress.

08-09-2011, 09:33 AM	#44
Gotpam? Murderilcious Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	That looks awesome, keep up the great work.....enjoying your build.