Hi all, Seems most forums have died now so really great to find an active one with knowledgeable people. Don't get me wrong, I like the Facebook groups but I much prefer the longer format of a forum, especially for something like a build/restoration thread.
I bought this car from Japan directly around 12 months ago. I knew she was going to be a restoration from the pics and description I got and was also sold for one of the lowest prices I'd seen in a while.
I actually had an R32 GTR before around 2002 along with many other Skylines including a couple of R33 GTST's and R34GTT so I'm no stranger to the mark and Japanese cars in general.
I've always done my own work on cars and have a whole host of tools and gadgets in the garage. I've only recently begun to learn welding though. I started last year with TIG (RTech) and a full nut and bolt restore of a classic Vespa. This went well with some help of the Vespa forums. So with a bit of confidence built from that, I decided a fixer-upper was the way to go!
At the docks.
A bit of modernisation with a Link G4X Ecu and Surface Pro. Mapping it I find challenging but rewarding.
Current State!
So the issue I'm currently dealing with is rust. Like all 30+ year old cars, especially from Japan with lots of coastline and salty roads, it has extensive amounts! Including lots behind the factory underseal and the bodged repairs it's had over the years. Found some really monstrosities!
At the same time as sorting the rust, I'm going to do a full front-end and rear-end refresh. So that's everything connected to both subframes. I have the front right stripped at the moment with some parts sandblasted and my first ever powder coated part completed yesterday which I'm really happy with. Needs a little bit of cleanup on the areas the bolts or ball joints go through but apart from that it's great.
I've just finished welding the inner arch as that was peppered with rust and thin metal. So now on to the sills and inner sills. This is really going to test my skills and patience!
I had to cut away the whole outer sill, a couple of inches of the inner sill and around an inch of the floor where it connects as it was all compromised. Also lots of repairs in the lower rear quarter area - a real mess!
So, the first question of many that I will have is about rust treatment and prevention. I have a bit of knowledge about this from the Vespa but still limited as this is a different beast and there are going to be lots of areas I can't get to fully but will have partial access while doing these repairs so I want to make the most of that access.
As you probably know there is a fairly heated debate across the internet in regards to flexible or semi-flexible stone chip type products and whether to use them or not. With the Vespa, I decided against it as it seemed like there were more valid reasons to not do it and to just use a decent Epoxy Primer and then paint over that. Or Epoxy Pimer, Paint and then Waxoyl or similar that doesn't set hard and to just re-apply that as and when needed. Now, of course, this won't be a daily driver and I won't be using this car a lot during winter but it may still see rain and salt occasionally. I know this is a can of worms but what are your opinions on this?
And on to the other part of my question. The inside of the chassis rails and other areas I can't get at to clean and prep. What can I do to at least convert rust and then protect?
I bought this car from Japan directly around 12 months ago. I knew she was going to be a restoration from the pics and description I got and was also sold for one of the lowest prices I'd seen in a while.
I actually had an R32 GTR before around 2002 along with many other Skylines including a couple of R33 GTST's and R34GTT so I'm no stranger to the mark and Japanese cars in general.
I've always done my own work on cars and have a whole host of tools and gadgets in the garage. I've only recently begun to learn welding though. I started last year with TIG (RTech) and a full nut and bolt restore of a classic Vespa. This went well with some help of the Vespa forums. So with a bit of confidence built from that, I decided a fixer-upper was the way to go!
At the docks.
A bit of modernisation with a Link G4X Ecu and Surface Pro. Mapping it I find challenging but rewarding.
Current State!
So the issue I'm currently dealing with is rust. Like all 30+ year old cars, especially from Japan with lots of coastline and salty roads, it has extensive amounts! Including lots behind the factory underseal and the bodged repairs it's had over the years. Found some really monstrosities!
At the same time as sorting the rust, I'm going to do a full front-end and rear-end refresh. So that's everything connected to both subframes. I have the front right stripped at the moment with some parts sandblasted and my first ever powder coated part completed yesterday which I'm really happy with. Needs a little bit of cleanup on the areas the bolts or ball joints go through but apart from that it's great.
I've just finished welding the inner arch as that was peppered with rust and thin metal. So now on to the sills and inner sills. This is really going to test my skills and patience!
I had to cut away the whole outer sill, a couple of inches of the inner sill and around an inch of the floor where it connects as it was all compromised. Also lots of repairs in the lower rear quarter area - a real mess!
So, the first question of many that I will have is about rust treatment and prevention. I have a bit of knowledge about this from the Vespa but still limited as this is a different beast and there are going to be lots of areas I can't get to fully but will have partial access while doing these repairs so I want to make the most of that access.
As you probably know there is a fairly heated debate across the internet in regards to flexible or semi-flexible stone chip type products and whether to use them or not. With the Vespa, I decided against it as it seemed like there were more valid reasons to not do it and to just use a decent Epoxy Primer and then paint over that. Or Epoxy Pimer, Paint and then Waxoyl or similar that doesn't set hard and to just re-apply that as and when needed. Now, of course, this won't be a daily driver and I won't be using this car a lot during winter but it may still see rain and salt occasionally. I know this is a can of worms but what are your opinions on this?
And on to the other part of my question. The inside of the chassis rails and other areas I can't get at to clean and prep. What can I do to at least convert rust and then protect?
