My 79 Beta spyder 2000

[deks]

Hi Peter. How do you think it will be before you’re done with the dolly?  I could be interested but I don’t want you to rush for my benefit I am sure I can find a solution and will discuss with prostrip anyway.
Steve

[deks]

So I have now completed the strip down.  The car is ready to go to Pro strip so I will make contact with them this coming week to discuss costs time frame and transport

Stripped the doors out today discovered one window frame a lot worse for wear which will need attention.  Also discovered the front wings have undergone several repairs in the past.
To be honest much of the strip down has been a discovery of finding someone has been there before

I managed to get the paint code sticker off the boot lid, hopefully I will be able to use that again. Not sure the boot lid is the correct place for it to be located but I am sure someone will know where it’s supposed to be if it isn’t correct.

[Ferrit]

Do you have a list of rot areas so far?

Really cracking on.  You will be done by the Summer at this rate ;-)

[peteracs]

Hi Steve

I am going to be at least a couple of months away from thinking about removing the dolly. I have to build up the front and rear suspension which currently is a big pile of individual bits. So given your position, as you say, talk to ProStrip.

Peter

[deks]

Do you have a list of rot areas so far?

Really cracking on.  You will be done by the Summer at this rate ;-)

yes all of it has rot 

so there are patches added to rear inner arches both sides
the front lower panel also
the inner arches by the sills both sides are in a really bad way

the top of both rear turrets have rot
the rear mounting area for the roof has rot
the bottom of windscreen pillar has rot.
the drivers door glass frame has rot
the bonnet has some rot on fit edge

I also expect to find some rot damage on the body when the paint is stripped
there are two places of concern to me that being the are across the rear between the boot and roof and the t bar going over the top of the roof both show evidence of filler

it won't be done this summer I can assure you of that. The welding will take me way past that I suspect as Ive never welded or fabricated metal work before.
I also intend to rebuild the engine and gearbox  and rebuild or replace everything mechanical.

I do intend to paint it myself as well. Spoke yesterday with a trusted good friend of mine who owns a bodyshop in Kent and sought advice. So will be following that and to which he advised to paint the underside and inner parts but leave the outside until after it is up and running then do those panels which is what I shall do and if I make a has of the underside etc he can then paint the outer but I haven't told hm that.

[Neil-yaj396]

The inside of the boot lid is the correct place for the paint code sticker.

My drivers door frame was in a similar state to yours. I obtained a rotted out door with a good frame and that was cut out and welded in to replace my rotten frame. Cheaper than finding a good door in the end.

[deks]

The inside of the boot lid is the correct place for the paint code sticker.

My drivers door frame was in a similar state to yours. I obtained a rotted out door with a good frame and that was cut out and welded in to replace my rotten frame. Cheaper than finding a good door in the end.

Thank you for both parts of information
. Had not considered using part of an old door frame to make good.

[deks]

Well. Thats me in a bit of a quandary and hence this next comment. I have a couple of friends in Kent who are both long time car restorers. One had mentioned dipping the car the other has just advised me not to. In his words the wise thing you can do as the chemical never stops eating away at the metal. even showed me pictures of a new old stock panel that it had attacked. So I know several members have had it done and clearly going by the lack of comments here so far have been happy with the work. I am mindful of his advice but wondering if his experience is down to the place he used which is nearer to me than him it seems with a quick google but isnt the one Ive made contact with.   

So the company I approached is Pro Strip in Nottingham though I am still waiting for them to come back to me.

If I don't go down the dip route I assume it will be sand blasting.
I am a bt confused now albeit by one negative comment from a friend but I know I've got to strip it back somehow so I can then deal with and see all the rust.

[SanRemo78]

I used Enviro Strip for my shell. It came back bone dry and it took the best part of a year for the fabricator to complete the panel work on it, I wasn't pressuring him as there was other stuff going on in the background at the time. It developed surface rust only and there was no evidence of chemicals being left in box sections when opened up for repairs. The shell was returned to Enviro Strip once the repairs had been completed, they re-dipped the shell to treat any surface rust (which would have also repeated the treatment of the whole shell, inside and out) and then electrophoretically painted the entire shell. Every surface, inside and out. When the shell was returned to the paintshop it was inspected by borescope which didn't reveal any untreated surfaces and the injection of enough Dynax to sink the Titanic should mean I have a shell fit for the next 50 odd years.

Obviously it only takes one bad experience to put you off the process but if you're planning on doing it right and keeping the car long term I think this investment is worth it. It's a big step to take but the result is that you will see just how good, bad or average the shell is. At that point you make the decision to carry on or not but you'll know that every nook and cranny has been dealt with.

Envirostrip offered a collection and delivery service too, it was covered obviously! They also liked payment in cash for a small discount.
Guy

[deks]

I used Enviro Strip for my shell. It came back bone dry and it took the best part of a year for the fabricator to complete the panel work on it, I wasn't pressuring him as there was other stuff going on in the background at the time. It developed surface rust only and there was no evidence of chemicals being left in box sections when opened up for repairs. The shell was returned to Enviro Strip once the repairs had been completed, they re-dipped the shell to treat any surface rust (which would have also repeated the treatment of the whole shell, inside and out) and then electrophoretically painted the entire shell. Every surface, inside and out. When the shell was returned to the paintshop it was inspected by borescope which didn't reveal any untreated surfaces and the injection of enough Dynax to sink the Titanic should mean I have a shell fit for the next 50 odd years.

Obviously it only takes one bad experience to put you off the process but if you're planning on doing it right and keeping the car long term I think this investment is worth it. It's a big step to take but the result is that you will see just how good, bad or average the shell is. At that point you make the decision to carry on or not but you'll know that every nook and cranny has been dealt with.

Envirostrip offered a collection and delivery service too, it was covered obviously! They also liked payment in cash for a small discount.
Guy

Hi Guy thanks for this information.  The main reason I want to go this route as it reveal how bad the shell is in places I cant currently see and also when its treated after the welding it will do as you say though I dont expect I will be here in 50 years to know but at least I can hope to enjoy the car without the need for further works.

[deks]

Wow. that was a shock. just had the local dipping company call me back  he's quoting me £4340 to strip the car to bare metal. Then when I have repaired it to send it back to him to then coat it

This is more than twice what I was expecting and a figure to be blunt I am not prepared to spend. 


I think I need to really think about this and see where I go from here

[Nigel]

Steve,
I would 'bank' that 4k on a virtual shelf and consider it savings for now.

Have fun acquiring all the tools and equipment you'll need and
press on with the body repairs at a pleasant steady pace, learning as you go. Start
with the lesser seen places and progress from there. You've already found the majority
of the problem areas, a few more may pop up, soldier on.

As you go through it you'll be using plenty of weld-thru primer and such like coatings.
As you go, it'll turn into a very usable shell, ready for prime and paint.

That's a lovely workshop/spray booth you've built, now you get to use it right away!

Nigel, with loads of encouragement coming your way.

[SanRemo78]

Might be worth giving Enviro Strip a call? But yes, that's a scary number!

[peteracs]

Hi Steve

Yep, scary amount, though a break down on each operation may be useful to know?

Peter

[deks]

Steve,
I would 'bank' that 4k on a virtual shelf and consider it savings for now.

Have fun acquiring all the tools and equipment you'll need and
press on with the body repairs at a pleasant steady pace, learning as you go. Start
with the lesser seen places and progress from there. You've already found the majority
of the problem areas, a few more may pop up, soldier on.

As you go through it you'll be using plenty of weld-thru primer and such like coatings.
As you go, it'll turn into a very usable shell, ready for prime and paint.

That's a lovely workshop/spray booth you've built, now you get to use it right away!

Nigel, with loads of encouragement coming your way.

Thanks for the encouragement Nigel. As I am in no rush I will take my time and process my thoughts etc etc
I had already considered purchasing a DIY sand blaster kit and tacking the worst parts.  I am sure a little research will find ways to tackle the hidden parts that cant be seen in order to treat with rust protection. I am sure I can also find a way to give it a good panel primer and an epoxy coating myself.   Fist job to tackle will be to remove the underseal and I am sure that will take a week or two

[deks]

Hi Steve

Yep, scary amount, though a break down on each operation may be useful to know?

Peter

 The details are below and I clarified with him that the two stage prices were to be combined
I also got a quote of £440 for transport (4 journeys and two visits to them )
Stage1. Full immersion Phos-Strip  bodyshell & panels to clean bare steel condition. @£1575

After customer repairs we offer the following:

Stage 2. Full immersion E-coat for bodyshells , panels & components.  This is the best anti-corrosion primer protection available and is synonymous with exactly what a modern day car would have as its base coat. & this is why cars don't suffer rust issues anymore. 

Total net cost : @ £2150

[deks]

Might be worth giving Enviro Strip a call? But yes, that's a scary number!

Ive had  quote from them which is considerably less

The cost to process your Lancia would be as follows:-
 
To paint strip & de-rust the body-shell & associated panels  - £1295.00

Weld through primer (Spray Application) £695.00 not required if having e-coat
 
If you were to have the e-coat, then costs below would apply after the first stage paint & rust removal cost.
 
We recommend that you have your shell paint stripped of all coatings, collect the shell and carry out all repairs & then return it to us for E-Coat application.
Prior to the shell being E-coated a quick dip will be required to remove any surface rust & contaminates.
If any paint panels have been fitted to the shell after the initial process then extra costs will apply to remove the paint.
 
To post process & e-coat the body-shell (Immersion Process) - £2295.00
 
Collection & return to NG34 7WT £295.00


However. I have grave concerns about this company seeing the reviews and feedback from some customers which relates to my earlier post though I am sure the majority of cases are fine.
I did also note that they can give you a weld through primer quote which could be useful.


I do have a few weeks to consider as the money for this is not due into my account until then. Though either are more than I bargained on though envirostrip is a lot closer to my pricing
the former is about 50% of my guestimate to do the whole job which I am certain is massively underestimated based on what the parts Ive already looked at price wise will take a couple of grand and more.

[deks]

So today, I am spending a few hours starting on the stripping of underseal. Does anyone have an decent pictures of the rear wheel well area so I can see how it should look over how it currently looks

[HFStuart]

There are some pretty good ones on my thread  - or would be if Imgur hadn't blocked access in the UK.

I suspect a VPN connection would enable viewing. I will eventually get round to re-linking them but there are  quite a few.

[peteracs]

Hi Steve

If you want to call round and have a look at the HPE rear wheel arch that is pretty much the same and there is no suspension in it at present.....

You could have a look at the Spider as well (stored offsite) but little to add to the story would be my view.

Peter