Let the restoration commence.

[beardo]

The car is now off the road and ready to be stripped. We were kind of forced into taking it off the road due to the exhaust falling off :awwww: Not to worry, it was getting a new one eventually anyway. I have taken a few pictures of it pretty much as it was when we bought it. The only thing I've done is repaired and painted the drivers door mirror.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00772.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00773.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00774.jpg

Today Honda delivered all the panels that I will be replacing.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00775.jpg

Although you can only visually see rot on the bonnet and N/S wings, I did find filler in the O/S wings. So we decided to replace them also. (well, the job needs doing right I feel) Thankfully the doors and sills are rot and filler free.

We are keeping it yellow but a brighter shade. The wheels will be ditched in favour of some black ones (yet to be sourced) and the side intakes/air scoops will be painted black.

[TADO]

hi beardo
wow - the panels look great - sure the car will be stunning!
can i ask about your wheels - would you be willing to sell em to a good home? ive been after a set of watanabe/minilite looking ones for a while. if you were after a set of beat alloys in good nick i have some...
mike

[beardo]

Hi Tado, I will be willing to sell the wheels that are currently on the car but not until I have sorted some replacements. Not sure what kind of wheels we will be getting but if you could point me in the direction of a picture of some wheels like yours we will certainly consider that option.

[Mylee]

Your roof looks in great condition. I'm guessing it's a replacement?

[beardo]

Your roof looks in great condition. I'm guessing it's a replacement?

Defo a replacement but how long ago is a mystery. Very glad we don't have to spend on the roof.

[TADO]

hi beardo
im not sure whether the genuine wheels are what you're after (theyre not black!) but id certainly be interested in yours when the time comes.
heres a pic of our car with the honda wheels:

[Mylee]

I have very dark wheels (but not black) on my beat with a machined edge. They are the same style as in Tado's picture. I'll try and sort you a picture out so you can get some idea.

[beardo]

Thanks but there is no need. Sorry Tado, I have shown the pic to the missus and they're not to her taste. I'll still let you know when we have no further need for the wheels that are on the car at the moment though.

[TADO]

hi beardo
ahh - no worries at all. look forward to hearing from you at some point :)
really looking forward to seeing more pics of the restoration!

[imi]

ooh! all those new shiney honda parts i can't wait to see the final result.

[Wh1teLeopard]

Definately keep us up to date with pictures, I'd love to see your progress :)

[beardo]

Stripped the front end today but all that revealed was more work and expense. The front valance is rotting and weak in places. Although it may be possible to repair I think the only option is to replace. I will probably regret it if I don't. Also the radiator has lost a lot of its fins so will have to get that seen to aswell.

Pictures-

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00821.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00822.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC00823.jpg

Everything else so far is solid. :)

[beardo]

The Beat is now stripped and at the bodyshop. All the parts needed are here including the bodykit and alloys from wh1teleopards Beat which she kindly sold to me last year. It has took this long to get to this stage due to the front cross member assembly taking an age to get here from Japan.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01151.jpg

We have decided to stay with yellow but not the original shade. The yellow will be a Maserarti colour.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/10511036255001030.jpg

The wheels we are going to paint black. The side air intakes will be black also. More updates to follow.

[LEE.W.]

I also am keen to follow the progress of the resto to your yellow Beat so keep us updated with your pictures and words as this does help to keep our Beats on the road.
Is this a restoration 1st for this forum.Best of luck,Lee.

[TADO]

looking great beardo - nice choice of colour too. would be interested to know who you got to do the bodywork? my car will need a visit to the paintshop once its back on the road so it would be great if you have any local (south yorkshire) recommendations?

[beardo]

I will defo keep the updates flowing. The garage I'm using is in Bawtry near Doncaster. I've never used him before. He has done many restorations before and came recommended. He seems enthusiastic about doing the Beat.

He's going to mould the side skirts into the sills rather than just bolt them on. He'll be doing the same with the rear mud guards and colour coding them. We're doing away with the electric aerial, the hole will be blanked off. Opting for a boot mounted colour coded shark fin aerial.

[Wh1teLeopard]

I had the aerial removed on mine, made a surprising difference to the appereance. Recommend that ;) can't wait to see more pics :)

[beardo]

Went to the bodyshop today and it's safe to say the Beat is now looking as bad as it is ever going to. The front cross member is removed and replacing looks to be straight forward with only minor repairs needed.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01158.jpg

Both rear wings are also removed. Not much work to do behind the n/s/r wing before the new one goes on.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01155.jpg

o/s/r wing is another story. There's some patching up required but nothing too drastic.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01156.jpg

She's very solid everywhere else which is a relief as we are too far in to quit on her. The bodyshop reckons he'll be finished in about 3 weeks.

[Wh1teLeopard]

Awesome pictures.

I wish you lots of luck with it, should look spiffing when done :)

[TADO]

thanks for the info beardo - i look forward to seeing how the work progresses. keep the great updates and pics coming!

[beardo]

Took some more piccies today of the Beat. The rear wings and front bit have been welded on. He reckons he will be ready to paint it next week. Still looking a bit sorry for itself though.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01174.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01172.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01171.jpg

[Wh1teLeopard]

Looking very good :)

[beardo]

He's started painting it now and we are very happy with the colour choice.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01181.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01183.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01186.jpg

[Wh1teLeopard]

Looking very good :)

[marcair]

Excellent choice of color. The brightness brings-out the bodylines. It it a custom mix or a std color? You'll love it the first time you see at at night - just beaming the color, all others will look pale by comparision.

Consider applying a "rock guard" to the front dam and wheelwells after the new paint cures. Installs similar to window tinting material. http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.html

I recently did this and to the headlight assys. One must look very close to see the 8mm thk material ply.

[beardo]

The colour is a Maserati colour. Giallo Ginestra. Not sure about the rock guard.

[Adam]

I havent been here for a while, there seems to be a lot of new names about.

Just had a look at those pics and the car looks great, colour is great you seem to be going all out.

Good work.

[beardo]

The last pictures from the body shop as it is coming home later today.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01188.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01190.jpg

[Wh1teLeopard]

Wow! Makes me wish I'd sprayed mine yellow when I had that bumper lol Very impressed

[beardo]

Wow! Makes me wish I'd sprayed mine yellow when I had that bumper lol Very impressed

We like your bumper very much. The side skirts are nice too and the wheels are now black. You can't have any of them back I'm afraid. :)

[Mylee]

Beardo,
Does this mean you'll be selling the 'minilite' wheels? 1st dibbs if so please :D

[beardo]

Beardo,
Does this mean you'll be selling the 'minilite' wheels? 1st dibbs if so please :D

Yep, the Miniltes are up for grabs. The tyres are good but the wheels need a refurb.

[Mylee]

Yep, the Miniltes are up for grabs. The tyres are good but the wheels need a refurb.


Can you pm me the info please. Wheels sizes, cost and tyre make etc
Thanks!

[Wh1teLeopard]

We like your bumper very much. The side skirts are nice too and the wheels are now black. You can't have any of them back I'm afraid. :)

You're so mean :p

[beardo]

Been busy. Might be on the road sooner than I thought.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01195.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01196.jpg

[Jennifer]

thats gorgeous

[beardo]

thats gorgeous


Thanks, been struggling to get any more done in this heat. As much as I enjoy working on it, a beer and feet up in the garden gets the nod I'm afraid.

[TADO]

that looks fantastic beardo! hope we can pop over to check it out at some point soon. have your experiences with the body shop lived up to their reputation? im looking forward to our car having a similar treatment :D

[beardo]

that looks fantastic beardo! hope we can pop over to check it out at some point soon. have your experiences with the body shop lived up to their reputation? im looking forward to our car having a similar treatment :D


You're more than welcome to have a look. Or we could meet up once we're on the road.

We are happy with the work that has been done. There are a couple of slight niggles which I'm sure will be sorted fairly easily.

[beardo]

Had a stainless steel exhaust made. It looks and sounds pretty good.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01210.jpg

[Jennifer]

I think that is nice a subtle for 2 pipes

[TADO]

chuffin goodness. that looks great. what a lucky beat!
would love to meet up soon - we're back from jp towards the end of the month and hopefully should have a drivable beat waiting for us! :p

[imi]

That looks awesome, i'm soooo jealous! :D

[beardo]

Almost there now. Booked in for MOT on Thursday but still have a fair few jobs to do to it. Will be at Jap car night at Squires Cafe (LS25 5LX, for anyone interested in coming along) on Tuesday 5th June all being well.

[beardo]

Woo Hoo. MOT passed and now taxed. No pictures because the wife has grabbed the keys and disappeared. Needless to say she is a very happy bunny.

[Wh1teLeopard]

Congratulations :D

[beardo]

Apart from the Honda badges the exterior is pretty much finished.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01233.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01234.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01238.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01240.jpg

[8EAT]

Looks very good ,nice job,where did you get your new roof from?

[Mylee]

Looking good Beardo, love the exhaust - looks the part, very smart. All I think your car needs now is lowering a couple of inches.

[TADO]

that looks stunning - that must be one happy little car.
i really like the moulded mudflaps and the exhaust is really nice. i agree with mylee too - it would look awesome if you could bring it down 2"

[imi]

Great job Beardo, it looks stunning!

[beardo]

Cheers guys and gals. The roof was on when we bought it last year. Not sure about lowering it as there are a number of speed humps where the wife works. Will have to have a look and see what clearance we have.

[Jennifer]

awesome good finish that

[beardo]

I'm getting on with the interior now. Ran it last summer without any carpet or sound proofing. So, had my orders and away we go.

Still undecided about the type of seats we're having so have opted to take care of the originals for the minute. I have stripped them, sent the covers for a trip in the washer and made some minor repairs. Also had to add a bit of sponge here and there. End result is a very clean standard seat.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01692.jpg

Fitting the carpet is fun, not. I bought 2 rolls off ebay for not a lot of money. There is next to no pile in the carpet but it is still quite tough to cut and shape. So far I have carpeted the boot, rear shelf and rear wall. I have added sound proofing to the shelf and wall. I'm now on with the floor which is a bit of a pain. I'll soon be ready to paint and trim some plastic. Looking forward to that. I am really.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01696.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01693.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01694.jpg

Sorry about the links, uploader isn't working.

[LEE.W.]

Superb...:) Been following your BEATS progress from the begining.Great to see the finished article(albeit with a few trim parts to finish).You must have put in a lot of hard work and money and i,m sure you'll have lots of fun driving it..when your wife returns with the keys..:)

[unclejemima]

looks great! This is my first visit to this thread, and I'll be coming back for more!

Can I ask where you got the exhaust from?

I ripped my seats apart as well. Did you have a hard time getting all the metal loops back together to hold the cushion tight (you know, the ones that you cut to take the seat apart) I'm not sure of the technical term.

Your seats look brand new!

MY seat is at the dry cleaners today, and I have to re-assemble it next week. I'm not looking forward to it. Any tips?

Keep up the good work! I have the full interior carpet ripped out of my beat as well, but I'm just going to give it a good steam clean I think to get rid of the stains/smoke smell.

Take care,

[beardo]

Putting the seats back together was fairly easy. Forget about the metal rings, put them all in the bin. Use nylon zip ties. The seat back is straight forward, obviously you tie the head rest first and then the lower back. The base is a little more tricky. Tie the bit that goes across the middle first and make sure you cut the excess because once you start the edges you won't be able to get to the middle anymore. When you do the rest, don't pull the ties tight, leave them all loose until you get them started, then pull them tights. Make sure you get the ties in a position where they are going to be easy to pull and trim. You'll know what I mean when you get started.

Some have had success steam cleaning the carpets. We opted for a new darker carpet because I will be painting most of the interior black. What doesn't get painted will be trimmed in black leather.

The exhaust was made by a local firm called Custom Pipes.
http://www.custompipes.co.uk/aboutus.html
Not a very big firm but they do good work.

[Mylee]

Looking forward to details on the interior painting.

[TADO]

crackin stuff beardo - cant wait to see the interior come together.
we're off to pick ours up from the bodyshop in 30 mins - cant wait! :D

[beardo]

crackin stuff beardo - cant wait to see the interior come together.
we're off to pick ours up from the bodyshop in 30 mins - cant wait! :D

Nice one. Have they built it up or are you doing that. I enjoyed building ours back up. Get some pictures up.

[TADO]

nooo... we've just driven it back up to my mums about 5 miles on trade plates with no lights, bumpers, scuttle panel etc! :D
heading back up there in a bit so i'll get some pics up of the whole job - its looking amazing though, so pleased with it.
its a shame tho - work is crazy busy at the moment so i cant start rebuidig it for a few weeks yet :(

[TADO]

mike...is.....very....stupid. left the camera with all the pics up at m mums house..... doh! :suicide: :D

[beardo]

:rolleyes: What a numpty. ;) Did you not fancy doing a start to finish thread. I've quite enjoyed doing this one.

The only advice I have (if you want it) for the rebuild is take your time. I was so tempted to rush. I only scratched one little bit while I was building ours. Which I thought was a bit of a result.

[beardo]

I have done the passenger side carpet now. Just needs a little trim when the dash is out of the way.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01697.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01698.jpg

I have also test painted a piece of trim. I think the finish and colour is just what we're after.

Before

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01699.jpg

After

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01700.jpg

[unclejemima]

I have also test painted a piece of trim. I think the finish and colour is just what we're after.
Before
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01699.jpg
After
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01700.jpg

WOW!!!!!!! That looks great! What sort of prep did you have to do to get that finish? It looks factory good! What kind of paint did you use?

[Mylee]

Can't see the pictures due to our crap internet policy at work :(

Gotta wait til the mornin now when I get home :rolleyes:

[TADO]

flippin eck. that looks really really nice - love both the carpet and the trim.
just got the camera back now so i'll get a thread going for ours as well. :)

[beardo]

Not that hard to paint really. Gave it a good clean with a cloth and hot soapy water. Then a light rub with a scourer. Rinse and dry. Then paint with matt black aerosol.

[Mylee]

Looks like you are making a real Pro job on the carpet, very nice.
The finish on the plastic looks very good as well, nice and suttle. Have you tested the painted plastic for durability?

[beardo]

Looks like you are making a real Pro job on the carpet, very nice.
The finish on the plastic looks very good as well, nice and suttle. Have you tested the painted plastic for durability?

Cheers Mylee. I have sort of tested the paint. Last year whilst rebuilding the car I painted the inner arch liners and trim near the wipers with the same paint. The trim is still perfect, the liners have took a bit of a battering but that was to be expected. I am currently painting all the trim excluding dash and door cards. Should have some before and after piccies later.

[Mylee]

Then that's an excellent result from a rattle can!
Was the matt black a special plastic paint?

[beardo]

Not special plastic paint. Just your basic aerosol matt black which is suitable for plastics.

Heres some piccies.

A pile of dirty trim.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01702.jpg

All cleaned up.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01703.jpg

Got a lot done until I ran out of paint.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01704.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01705.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01706.jpg

Ordered some more paint which I should get tommorrow all being well.

[beardo]

Drivers side carpet is now done as is the rest of the painting. If I have time later I am going to rebuild the trim and have a mock up.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01708.jpg

[beardo]

Done a quick mock up and I need a rest.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/beat002.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/beat004.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/beat006.jpg

[Wh1teLeopard]

looking good :D

[unclejemima]

Hot dog!!! That looks A1, factory!!! Serious, it looks 10 out of 10!
Good job! That will make the interior look like new!!!

[beardo]

Took out the dash and stripped it bare ready for paint.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01716.jpg

Gave it a good scrub.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01717.jpg

Slapped on some paint.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01718.jpg

[Wh1teLeopard]

Looking very good :D

[unclejemima]

Looking very good :D

Very good indeed! I did not think you were going to do the dash as well, but I guess if you are that far in, you might as well do it too!

I can't wait to see finished pics installed!!!:D:D

[beardo]

No dash.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01720.jpg

Trimmed the dash inserts.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01721.jpg

Rebuilt the dash and fitted it to the car.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01722.jpg

[beardo]

Woo hoo. Interior almost complete and fitted, including the seats. Just the door cards to do now.

[TADO]

yup. looking amazing again!
on a scale of 1-10 how much of an arriss was it to refit the dash? any tips? im dreading it on ours!

[beardo]

It wasn't that hard to be honest. I was very conscious of the fact that if I messed up I would damage the paint. So was very careful. I found it easier with the heater controls removed and going in at around a 45 degree down angle until you meet the screen. Then lower it down lining the mount hole on the metal frame to its position. Then add bolts.

Do you have any plans for your interior or are you keeping it standard?

[TADO]

ahh - fingers crossed it wont be too bad!
yup - our dash is finished and waiting to go back in - its had some trimmings and looks pretty good. i'm currently trying to type up a thread for ours so hopefully i'll get it finished tonight with some pics :D

[beardo]

Type faster, it'll be my bedtime soon.

[Mylee]

Type faster, it'll be my bedtime soon.

LOL :D:D:D

Beardo, come on as no-one has asked show us a piccie of the rattle can so we can see who makes this wonderful paint.

IMHO the interior work has totally updated your Beat. I was 'hardcore' Beat must be original, but I'm really liking the look of the black interior.
I've got a dash swop planned this year as my original has a nasty split in it, would be an ideal time for some paint!

[marcair]

looks great. For what's its worth, 2 years ago when I painted my plastic trim pieces, I 1st applied an aerosol 'plastic paint prep' material. It was essentially a spay adhesive sold at the paint shop. Next the pigment is applied while the adhesive is wet allowing a better bond. And lastly, a few coats of clear coat sealer. This last clear coat prevented minor scratches from removing the pigment. Also, resisted fade from the sun. After 2 years of southern cal sun, no chg.

Also, I installed alot of neoprene washers when re-installing the interior structures and floating trim pieces. This allows expansion/contraction due to heat changes and road surfaces (no cracks at the fasteners), thus removing any squeaks, rattles.

[beardo]

Here's the painting process and what I have been using. First of all I clean all of the plastic and on the area to be painted I give it a good scrub with a normal household scourer. This not only cleans it but also keys (roughs it up) the surface ready to take the paint. Then dry thoroughly. After cleaning off any stray dirt, dust, fluff etc. I use a plastic primer (Holts code L118) which is like spraying water onto the plastic. I dry it off with a hair drier. It quickly goes from being wet to leaving a tachy layer on the plastic. This I do twice. Then I apply a matt black paint (Holts L112) 3 times. I haven't bothered with a clear coat as I don't want it to be shiny.

[beardo]

Removed door cards, stripped and cleaned them.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01725.jpg

Trimmed the top bit and painted the bottom, looking loads better now.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r58/beardo1975/DSC01729.jpg

The interior will be finished tomorrow now. :D

[Mylee]

Beardo, what are you doing with things like, the seatbelts

[beardo]

Beardo, what are you doing with things like, the seatbelts

No idea at the minute. There are 2 things that are currently staying grey. The seat belts and the sun visors. I have some spare seat belt reals so might attempt to strip and rebuild them with black seat belts. May even attempt to trim the visors with the same stuff I have used for the door cards and dash. We'll see. Other than that the interior is complete now. I am very happy with it.

[Bumbly1]

Just read this thread through, very helpful indeed and it looks very smart and modern.
How is the paint finish standing up to use Mark? My interior is looking unloved and will need tlc of some form.
Tom