It’s
great (honest!) to read in the magazine and on the ASCO Facebook pages
the various accounts of refurbishment and major restoration. Although
the authors usually admit to some upsets along the way, there’s no
getting away from the fact that their achievements are usually quite
stupendous. The attention to detail is especially astounding. Frankly,
I didn’t even know that the ‘shelf’ at the back of the engine bay was
originally set out to hold a variety of tools. So, well done to all
these amazing people.
Unfortunately, for this non-member of Mount Olympus, these accounts can be a bit dispiriting.
Over
the winter I’ve been tackling two issues with my Singer 9 Longtail: a
screeching noise from clutch/gearbox and some small patches of surface
rust on the body.
I’m
told the clutch/gearbox problem is probably down to the bronze spigot
bush bearing at the end of the crankshaft. Fortunately, some graphite
grease on the clutch spline/shaft has lessened the problem for now.
For
the surface rust I decided spray painting was in order. Not the whole
car, just some patches – and therefore only with rattle cans. OK, so I
knew I wouldn’t be able to get a perfect match, but the various books
and websites suggested you should be able to blend the old with the
new. And, indeed, the front off-side panel didn’t work out too badly.
But
because I was too heavy-handed there were runs on the rear and on front
near-side panel. So more paint was needed, this time from a local
supplier (it’s better to go local I thought). Except the shade seemed a
bit brighter. But it will be OK when it dries – won’t it? Except it
wasn’t. So back to the local supplier, who was good enough to replace
the two unused cans for free and therefore all was rosy again (except
for the need to rub down and prepare yet again).
Colour
match seemed OK this time and all was going well until, suddenly, the
tin started spraying what can only be described as ‘gunge’. Looking
around me, I noticed that there was a fine green dust covering
everything in the garage (the domestic recriminations are ongoing). And
then I read the label on the tin, which said it was 2-PK!! Luckily,
I’m still here to tell the tale.
I
therefore went back to my original (internet-based) supplier to get the
right paint to remedy the mess. What I didn’t know was that cellulose
on top of 2-PK doesn’t work. Unless you’re aiming to achieve a
crazy-paving pattern.
With
the approaching better weather I decided to cut my losses and only fix
the front near-side panel. (The increasing amount of grief from the
rest of the family was also a factor.) So, out with the sander, lay
down a new primer coat and purchase two more tins. But why was it
drying matt? Because, you idiot, you purchased base coat rather than
gloss. I nearly wept. Having had enough and there being a tin of
lacquer to hand, a couple of coats of Halford’s best was applied.
Does
the near-side panel look OK? The section on its own isn’t too bad. But
compared to the rest of the panel – very noticeable.
I’m
hoping that, once polished, it won’t look too bad. But I’m also
resigned to my two-tone effect and rear crazy paving being a talking
point on the show circuit this summer.
