I blame Steve for this.....

[tdskip]

So I was minding my own business, getting the lower front frame ready with Metal Prep for some POR15 and this little voice came into my head. "Now really is the time to paint the inner fenders". No, no. I'll do it later. "Tom, dude, don;t slack off. Now is really the time to paint the inner fenders" the voice more forcefully replied.



So out came the wire brush and now I'm down to this.

[tdskip]

[Steve Simmons]

Hey, don't blame me. My disease isn't transmitted through phone lines. Well, not that I know of anyway!

Looks like you're doing a bang-up job. Hopefully you can match that red. It ain't easy!

[tdskip]

Hey, don't blame me. My disease isn't transmitted through phone lines. Well, not that I know of anyway!

Looks like you're doing a bang-up job. Hopefully you can match that red. It ain't easy!

She was came from the factory in Orient Red, yes a real Orient Red MGA. I had her top paint matched and I'm going to use that for the wheel wells. I am not too worried about there, the engine bay matching is my bigger concern.

So at this point I was thinking;

1) rust converter

2) primer to make sure the new paint likes the base and doesn't react with any of the old stuff

3) top coat in red.

Yes/no?

[Jimmy]

4) Some quality wax.

[tdskip]

4) Some quality wax.

Assuming I have some after waxing my suspension, brakes and inner tail pipe, right?

[Steve Simmons]

LOL! I think you've come to understand Jimmy quite well.

Your plan sounds good to me, although it's looking pretty clean so I don't know that you'll need rust converter. You could always spray a bit of acid to neutralize the rust, but I don't have much experience with body paint, only parts.

[Jimmy]

In all seriousness, before worrying about if there's enough wax left to finish the job properly,
please turn those concrete blocks upright.
Right now they are on their side, and not very strong. Probably more than enough to hold a corner of a light car, but why chance it?

[Steve Simmons]

Good call, I didn't even notice them. Personally I refuse to use cinder blocks to hold anything at all. I've heard too many stories about them failing and dropping heavy things, like cars, on things that shouldn't have heavy things like cars on top of them.... like people!

[malcolmr18zoy]

Yes! Why don't you buy some jack stands? they're not very expensive, and might save money or injury in the long run. Well spotted Jimmy. Well now that we've criticized your equipment, what do you say?
Malcolm

[tdskip]

You kidding, an MGA with only body panels is danger of floating away. I've had to weight it down with random tools to keep it on the ground....

Point taken guys! She'll be on her suspension in a couple of days. I don't make a practice of this BTW.

[malcolmr18zoy]

Yes, an MGA is really light with only body panels on it. If you're sitting on a stool, working on your wheel arches, and the blocks collapse letting the car fall on your legs, see how light it is to lift off and allow you to get out with your broken legs!
Malcolm

[Jimmy]

Well, at least it's lighter than a car with a roof on it...

[tdskip]

Yes, an MGA is really light with only body panels on it. If you're sitting on a stool, working on your wheel arches, and the blocks collapse letting the car fall on your legs, see how light it is to lift off and allow you to get out with your broken legs!
Malcolm

OK, OK.... I'll get jacks under there.

Quick question for Steve or other MGA owners out there - are your inner arches right above where the shock mounts smooth or is it normal for them to have been banged some when the car was put together?

You can see the ripples on this picture below;

[Steve Simmons]

Mine are smooth. Someone may have banged yours up a bit trying to get the shocks in and out. It's a pretty tight fit as I'm sure you've experienced!

Pardon the dirt in the arches, I didn't know Jimmy would be seeing this photo or else I would have washed and waxed the wheel wells.

[tdskip]

Thanks Steve - I have some straightening to do tomorrow.....

[Jimmy]

Pardon the dirt in the arches, I didn't know Jimmy would be seeing this photo or else I would have washed and waxed the wheel wells.

Eew! Filth. What if some dropped onto your flawless floor, Steve?
But I like the well-waxed brake drum.

[Steve Simmons]

That isn't wax, it's just paint. Something your beater could use, or are you trying to lighten it by allowing the surface of the body to rust off?

[Jimmy]

The Beater does indeed have paint, just not the shiny kind.
Although many think it's primer, in actuality it's a one-year-only color.
Unlike your Ford, or Tanny's B GT, it may eventually start rusting underneath, however, as it doesn't really leak anything.
And, no, that's not because of a lack of fluids.

[Steve Simmons]

Although many think it's primer, in actuality it's a one-year-only color.

If it's primer then you're right... it will only last a year.