Sunday, July 10, 2011

Long day on the nose

Saturday was another "long" day. Long in that I was able to work on the E9 for more than three hours. Like the week before, I got a lot done even though it does not look like it.

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The first thing to do was to sand off the last coat of primer applied the week before. I noticed a little breakup last week but it was more extensive after thorough drying.

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As I worked the RH side I spotted a small high spot. Strange that I didn't see it before. I suppose that explains why the PO put so much bondo on the fender. I was surprised to discover that the area was lead, thick enough to file down most of the high spot. Working lead is so easy.

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Over on the LH side I found a low spot just above the side marker light. It turned out to be a high spot a little further back, where the concave curve below the trim line blends into the front of the fender, all convex curves. I considered taking a hammer to it but was afraid of distorting the marker light opening. Besides, it is not all that visible. I decided to do what the PO did, use a little filler to fix the blend.

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I did some more work along the bottom of the grill opening, especially where it meets the air dam, and around the bottom of the center opening. Slow going due to the bumper bracket.

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The last thing I did was open up the rusted spot at the back of the hood opening, while thinking about how to repair it. I was going to weld it, but access to the back is blocked by the inner fender, and the curves are wicked. Besides, this is not structural. I think the best solution will be two layers of fiberglass cloth; I just need to figure out how to mold it. Note to self: buy a new set of rotory files, because the shop's are shot.

The last last thing I did was shoot all the bare places with etching primer. A thin coat, no dry mud effect.

posted from Bloggeroid


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