Wide arch 5 door project

[maxwax27]

some proper good work you done mate well nice so far

[sortedford]

Shes comming on well now pal

[Naylor2006]

Really impressive work going on there mate there's some really talented people on this site and your one of them looking forward to the next update.

 

Yeh, I like this guy too, hes a Stonemason by day too so hes got some tekkers for sure.

 

Good to see some progress man!

[lee grout]

Really impressive work going on there mate there's some really talented people on this site and your one of them looking forward to the next update.

 

Yeh, I like this guy too, hes a Stonemason by day too so hes got some tekkers for sure.

 

Good to see some progress man!

 

 

Ahh you guys... Well time to treat you to some well earned pics......if you 'earned' them by having to wait for ages that is Not only was it a long weekend but the sun's only bloody come out

Did some work on friday, had my boy all day yesterday and back on it all day today. Im very pleased with todays progress, a BIG milestone for this part of the build. Anyway enough chat.....piccy time.

 

Time for some rubbing down and filler on the inside of the rear door/skirt section.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03530_zpse341705f.jpg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03524_zps5a7b4602.jpg

 

The bottom edge was the last area on the doors that needed addressing.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03527_zps66441cbb.jpg

A pic before what was the last bulk of filler.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03529_zps5604fba2.jpg

 

The join in the skirt all filled, along with the end of the skirt/arch.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03526_zpscf870a51.jpg

 

The 'inside the arch' section you can see will get buzzed at a later date. It requires the wheels to come off for easier access. All 4 corners need doing still but thats for another day.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03531_zps15034688.jpg

 

Another gap that needed filling. Wouldnt be seen by anyone but I'd rather fill it than leave it done half arsed. Its also now fillered and sanded. Even though I dont want it 'half arsed' im not spending time smoothing it perfectly like i do on other areas as its not seen !

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03525_zpsb9dbd3b4.jpg

 

Gotta include a novelty pic. Ive taught him one of the most important things when doing any project..........asking mummy to make daddy a cup of tea

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03522_zpsf50b0cbe.jpg

 

Need help deciding what to do with this. Do I:

# Leave it as is

# Cut out the little upright bits so its one large oval

# Cut away the whole oval section so the middle section of the bumper looks raised. Ive seen this on a red escort on here and it looked pretty good.

The reason being, by the second upright, at the bottom, you can see an indentation. The bumper had a knock before I got it but noticed it'd been repaired (poorly) before. To my eyes it just looks slightly wonky. And being in the job I am, I can notice the tiniest amount if somethings out!

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03528_zpsd715620c.jpg

 

Now if you ask me, and I am biased... this looks the nuts! Just some minor filler work left before putting a small round on the edges. Im not sure yet if I need to do anything where you can see on the skirt where it would join the body after the front door. Maybe just blend this small section so the door/skirt flow nicely.

Also I have marked up the doors 'tram lines'. In the pic their a bit wonky but easy to sort.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03533_zps4b2298e1.jpg

 

And now for the final 3 pics of the day. Its really starting to come together now and once the inside arch sections are done, thats pretty much all the fibreglass/filler work done for the body. Only the front bumper will need finishing later on. But now, its final extra smooth filler for pin holes and hours of wet n dry.

I have noticed on this side, the skirt sort of dips a bit towards the front. Its a lot straighter on the other side. One of the things that happens when you have a fibreglassed replica kit! If i buzz it down too much more I'll go right through which means some reshaping/ back filling just to take the bulge out.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03523_zpsb388b428.jpg

 

Lexus lights are going dont worry! Got standards to go back in Also the filler cap will get sprayed too, its not staying chromed.....that would be ugly! Who know's.....I may still try and attatch a standard flap if it looks tidier

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03532_zpsf68aa128.jpg

 

As the car currently stands.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03534_zpsd5391568.jpg

 

Any ideas/comments welcome.

 

Also got chatting to a guy down the road from me. He drove past sat in an aubergine cossie. No words to describe how lush it was lol He said he saw what I was upto and had to come and have a butchers. He was genuinely interested but when he drove past on sat I was a bit embarrassed really! Im sticking fibreglass arches to a 5 door with 90 bhp............and the real thing with 420 (tuned by Reyland) cruises on by!!!! He did say though when the weather picks up he'll bring it up for me to have a look............now if you just let me have those keys......

[SLEEMAN]

hmmmmm i think you should cut the slats out and make it into an oval all the way matey! use plastic filler by the way, Upol PlastX is very good for doing plastic repair modifying i would say! try and do plastic welding first to see if that works then use plastX always love that stuff! and i'm thinking although this may ruin it for other but i'm thinking this would suit the 5 door with the cossie wide arches, super wide deep dish rims slight stretch tyres, euro style!!

[Andy 3i]

Wow! Looks amazing mate! personally for me I'd probably leave the slats in the bumper...sometimes it can look a bit too open...but for all I know it could look awesome on yours as its so heavily modded. Maybe a photoshop would help?

[scottybo]

how heave y is all of the filler/fibreglass lol looks awesome but ur gna be slow as fcuk if its a 1.6 in there!

[Fiesta_racing]

looks badass

[lee grout]

how heave y is all of the filler/fibreglass lol looks awesome but ur gna be slow as fcuk if its a 1.6 in there!

 

Doesnt have to go fast to look good

[bongo]

great progress mate, i agree that this should be spoilerless and on the floor with stretched tyres.

[Ahmotorsport]

Love it!

[mikeypr1]

Ive been doing this to my si 5 door but yours is looking a lot more done than mine is (pictures will be up soon on my profile).

People on passionford are kind of unsure about it but what do they know they shouldnt mock it till they try it.

I need to get off my backside and get mine done those back arches are a pain in the arse so I now first hand how much hard work you've put into this car good on ya keep up the good work hope mine turns out this good.

[lee grout]

More of an update today Had 3 days off to do some more, unfortunately yesterday was rained off so only 2 out of 3 days done BUT progress is progress!

Im at the horrible stage now of tidying up little holes, odds and ends e.t.c Because its nothing visually major it doesnt look like much has been done but its all another step closer.

Here's a few pics of the arches. Was just a whole day filling little holes.....sanding down.....oh...more holes to fill but it needs to be done or will look crap when its done. Most wont be able to tell from a pic but I'll know its there and it'll bug me!

 

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03539_zpsf1ea3d86.jpg

 

bottom door lines are all done. 1st one looks like it needs more in the middle.......I think I sorted it and this pic was taken earlier!!!

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03543_zps2503cd69.jpg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03540_zpsd92000c5.jpg

 

Here are the insides of the front arches/skirts. The rears still need doing but thats for next time!

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03542_zpsc2c6c393.jpg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03541_zpsa0043572.jpg

I have also re-filled and smoothed the undersides of the arches where they meet the bumpers, both front and back. I said i wouldnt bother as its not seen but......I couldnt just leave it

 

 

My so called 'smooth boot panel' wasnt so smooth! I never noticed it before but you could see lots of little dimples Bit of a 60 pad down, filler then a 120 over the top sorted it out.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03538_zpscb3c9c53.jpg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03546_zps3ddbf736.jpg

 

Check out my bracket to fix the splitter to the bumper I used selotape accross the bottom of the bumper to ensure i could get the correct shape without it sticking! I opted against sticking it directly to it incase of any movement causing it to crack. The bumper was turned upside down, then fibreglassed from the splitter to the bottom of the bumper. Trimmed it up once it had dried and now peeled it away to reveal a perfectly shaped bracket i can silicone/screw to.

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03535_zps4e417fe7.jpg

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03537_zps7033193f.jpg

 

No pic but I also rubbed down some chips along the edges of the bonnet and etch primed them.

Next to sort out is the tram lines up the rear doors. The shape of them on the kit is slightly different to those on the car! Gonna require some real patience here! As you try to shape it you cant really tell untill you put some primer on it!

 

And last but by no means least........A tester.......seen this colour on a wrc and it looks awesome. Never thought I'd go for a blue like this. Its not definite, like I said just a tester. After the problem with laquer overspray on the wheels I decided against matt black. Then I decided on a variation of mallard green. I did notice some odd shapes to the skirts. Little lumps and bumps here and there. Dont think you can EVER get a decent fibreglass rep kit Due to dark colours showing up more flawes I've decided to go a light colour. Also Possibly orange!? I found the paint code for lambo orange but its a 3 stage job. I'd like to get it done with as little hassle as possible though! Anybody know if focus st orange is a straight 2 stage or is it 3 stage?

 

Once the inside of the rear arch/skirts are done, bar the bumper its all ready for a serious sesh of wet n dry. Another Big dollop of filler primer before a final wet n dry THEN ITS READY FOR COLOUR. When i think of it like this, it doesnt feel a million miles away from being done. I think I'll enjoy it more when I can start re installing my new interior I've had for ages.

 

Comments welcome.

 

 

 

 

P.s Just done a quick search, electric orange is indeed 3 stage. Never mind.

Edited May 15, 2013 by lee grout

[danny42]

There is some serious work being put into this, hats off to you mate.

 

I know i'd never have the patience for all that sanding lol.

 

The orange would look cool but what about a disastra VXR type blue, similar to the BMW blue.

 

Whatever you cover it in, it'll look mega

[sidrick]

What gap are you filling in this photo?

 

http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx80/the-jonsonator/DSC03525_zpsb9dbd3b4.jpg