REPAIRS PAGE 28
RESTORATION TOPICS part 5 - FRONT WINGS
For those that can remember, this set of articles deals with front end
restoration - unfortunately very slowly!
I have to confess that when I started this topic I expected to have it
completed over 2 or at most 3 magazine issues - how wrong could I be!
It's not that the work is in any way
difficult - it really isn't - but it's finding the time that is the real
problem. Not that I can expect much sympathy here - in theory I should have much
more free time available for this than most members - but my progress is still
all too painfully slow. Anyone contemplating DIY restoration should bear this in
mind - it takes an awful lot of time.
This is particularly frustrating when I can't get onto the 'holy grail'
of tuning S/C's - the ERL H2O/Meoh injection, the electric H2O pump, the SC1400
Roots blower - and the rest! They are all lurking there in my garage - but no
time to fit them! One day the S/C will be done - watch out Lauren!
Nevertheless, I will describe the little that I have achieved on my N/A -
the installation of new front wings. As mentioned in previous articles, these
are bolt-on items, so replacement is pretty straightforward.
These new wing panels are only available from Toyota - there are no
aftermarket pattern panel suppliers for the MK1 - too small a production run.
This is perhaps not so bad as it initially sounds - aftermarket panels are
alledgedly notorious for being a 'bad fit' - as they often use discarded (ie
worn out) OEM press dies.
(Having said that -the above comments only apply to metal wings - if you
fancy fibreglass ones (reduced weight) - then I commend you immediately to CLUB
MR2 LTD - they only have a couple of pairs left. They are featured on page 53 of
the June magazine - and have some more innovative products coming - well worth a
read and further consideration - Lauren.)
Back to Toyota panels though - they have recently brought the price of
the front wing down from a ridiculous £230 to a slightly more reasonable £125.
(I don't know whether this presages a more general reduction in MK1 spares
prices - could members please advise me on any developments on spares pricing.)
Now back to the subject of fitting these Toyota panels - the good news is
that the fit is superb - which is what it should be from Toyota at that price.
So far so good - but there are some further subtleties which can easily be
missed by even an enthusiastic amateur - or more to the point - conveniently
ignored by 'cowboy' bodyshops.
These subleties will not affect the short term life of the replacement
wing - but will significantly adversely affect its long-term survival. (Which is
why the cowboys can take the el-cheapo short cuts - they won't be around when
the rust reappears on those new arches.)
So you might ask - where's the problem with these Toyota front wings - if
they fit well and just bolt-on? Well - nothing - as long as they are prepared
and fitted properly - as in many things - proper preparation is the key - the
final paint finish on 'el cheapo' jobs is so often no more than a veneer
papering over very fundamental faults.
So, why this apparent pessimism?
As supplied, the Toyota panels come with a semi-matt black paint finish.
This coating is really more for temporary protection during storage and transit
rather than a pukka primer coat. To spray primer straight onto it is inviting
risk – it’s a bit too smooth to gaurantee good adhesion. A good rub down
with wet and dry paper to 'matt' it gives a better key for the primer - it doesn't take that long.
This applies also to the inner surface of the panel - especially as rust
usually starts from this side.
It is far easier to prime all the wing with it off the car - all the
awkward surfaces and the seams can be easily covered. Similarly I prefer to
apply underseal at this stage - again to ensure getting it into all the awkward
crevices - but care is needed to avoid overspraying onto the outer wing surfaces
and other edges that will be eventually finish coat sprayed. (Not that this is
vital - any underseal overspray comes off OK with white spirit, but it is a bit messy.)
Again I apply the first few finish coats with the wing off as a 'starr'.
Then the refitting of the wing is a straightforward 'bolt-up' job - not
forgetting to apply seam sealer to all 'mating' surfaces.
Final finish coats/lacquer can then be applied with the wing in-situ - at
the appropriate time in the restoration.
After the wings are fitted the front 3/4 valances and bumper can be
refitted - but I haven't got that far yet - that's for the next article.
ALAN JONES