Let the restoration begin!!

[KITT]

here is a reminder of what my GTE looked like when I bought it in the summer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/AstraGTE011.jpg

After finding a few spots of rust on the GTE I decided to have a closer look and this is what i found
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/GTE002Small.jpg

looks like the sunroof drain pipe has caused this, its the same on both side's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/GTE001Small.jpg

Both sills have started to go in various places

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/GTE005Small.jpg

And the back corners are on their way as well

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/GTE003Small.jpg

the arch was starting to bubble so I got the grinder out, it has already had an arch put in which had been done badly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/150Sri/GTE007Small.jpg

So I think i have my work cut out to get it ready for next summer, as long as funds and time are on my side it should be done.

Anyone know of a good painter in the newcastle area!!!

Simon

[at least its not a saxo]

well done mate tell ya what mine was a lot wosrt than that and i did mine in 2 weeks after work i used to do 9-5 then from 5-10pm so if ya crack on you should have her done by feb next year

[rhydgte]

Mine's worse (I have new sills though ;) ) ...

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/5374/gte003small5zg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[at least its not a saxo]

Mine's worse (I have new sills though ;) ) ...

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/5374/gte003small5zg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


mine was the same ant got the bumper clips its nly got the 2 nuts on the back but dont need them on the side really cuz it sits well there anyway

[_Steven_]

I've had mine painted a few times by DJM Coachworks in Wallsend, good job and in-n-out in a week.

If you need any help or advice, give me a shout and i'd be happy to help.

I've taken mine from,
http://www.astra-mk2.com/steveheley/out2.gif

to
http://www.astra-mk2.com/steveheley/paint1.JPG

:)

[KITT]

Steve

That is one major restoration!! Will be in touch if I need anything, thanks.

Just been out again and found another hole!! The list goes on!

[Harvey]

Steve, that's just pure nuts.

Kitt, go for it.

[_Steven_]

thanks.. check this..

http://www.astra-mk2.com/steveheley/underside_red1.JPG

[GazJevs84]

thanks.. check this..

http://www.astra-mk2.com/steveheley/underside_red1.JPG

that is just mental lol

[Defiance]

Steve please please tell me ya snapped several hundred digi pics of how you flayed that car !!

Pure awesome work removing all of the parts !

Ciao

Def

[_Steven_]

flayed?

[Brett]

mate, that GTE is far from bad, crack on with it, the front inner wing just looks like a bit of surface rust so thats not going to be too much hassle, but do make sure you clean it right up before you underseal it.

[Defiance]

Flayed spl?

I used it though maybe spelled wrong to emphasise the skinning effect of taking the shell that far back ;)


EG: "to be flayed alive" or "flayed alive"

Anyways i wish i had the boarls to do it to my cars lol

Ciao

Def

[KITT]

Well been off work today so sorted the inner wing out, looking better already!!

[astramad]

the front off your sills is giving me nightmares

(o no here comes the rust monster to eat my astra again) lol

dont worry to much bout the rot just keep sayin to yourself they stopped making this model in 92' in hard top form so my time is well spent do all this work

keep it up it will look smart as!

[KITT]

As you can see from the last post, in 2005!!! its been a while. Well my GTE is finally going to get prepped and painted from Monday. I will post some pictures and progress. I have collected new bits over the years including lights, foglights etc, and the plan is to keep it totally standard looking. I am after some side skirts if anyone can help?

[_Steven_]

Mel has some for sale

http://www.astra-mk2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24203

[mick g]

As you can see from the last post, in 2005!!! its been a while. Well my GTE is finally going to get prepped and painted from Monday. I will post some pictures and progress. I have collected new bits over the years including lights, foglights etc, and the plan is to keep it totally standard looking. I am after some side skirts if anyone can help?
There are (or was) a set of brand new side skirts on German e-bay last time I looked mate..... Or I know a man who can get some if you are wanting a new set but they are not available in the uk anymore.......... cheers Mick g

[5 door sx 2.0l xe]

looks clean mate thats no bad you should check my thread then you know what a bad gte really is lol

[KITT]

Hi all

After a long wait I have finally got my car back, here are some pics of what it looks like now.

All headlight, fog lights and rear lights are brand new and it gives it a fresh look.

Let me know what you think. Still lots to do though.

[Davey J]

That's fab. Well worth the 5 years...................... LOL

[mick g]

Thats looking really good mate, did you find all new trim plastics? More pictures needed

[KITT]

No, i've painted the plastics, as they were in good condition, just a bit faded. Need to get the black vinyl on the back, I've also got some brand new original wheels to go on. Great find on EBAY!!!

[KITT]

While putting the GTE back together, I found some rust on the floor, as you can see in the picture, after removing the underdeal, it was worse than I thought! Im in two minds if I should strip all the underseal off to make sure the rest is ok, the only thing putting me off is it's a horrible job an takes forever! Has anyone got a quick way of removing the stuff?

I'm also after a window slide runner for the passenger door if anyone has one?

[RallyMarshal]

... Im in two minds if I should strip all the underseal off to make sure the rest is ok, the only thing putting me off is it's a horrible job an takes forever! Has anyone got a quick way of removing the stuff?

Its been suggested that dry ice (or using a CO2 fire extinguisher on it) will make it brittle and it can then be chipped off in chunks

Paul..

[mick g]

I ysed a heat gun. When it gets hot enough you can peel it off in strips, still takes ages though