1961 morris resto

[morris1961]

this is my first ever morris minor project.
im in the process of totally stripping my moggie out and prepping it for welding and painting.
i was just wondering what the best way to paint it would be. should i remove all wings etc paint them and then put them back on the car or simply just paint them while still on the car?

[gazzcross]

Welcome to the world of minors, its probably best to remove the wings for painting as the rear wings normally rust at the flange, this sometimes let you literally pull it off . The front wings normally hide the rust by the hinge pillar so its best to take them off. Just think the more rust protection you do now, the less you have to do in the future.

Good luck with the resto and do please post some pics

[youngcamper]

I'd keep the paint on the panels until all the welding is done, if you remove it too soon you'll leave the panels open to the elements and rust.

[morris1961]

ah thanks!
ive already removed the front wings and discovered it to be rather solid! i was expecting it to be alot worse from other pictures ive seen! one thing i still dont get though. in videos ive seen of morris restoration the wings are on the car when being painted. wouldnt it be best to have them painted off the car then put them back on once done?

pictures will go up very soon!

[bmcecosse]

If you think you can refit the wings after painting - without damaging the paint - carry on!

[morris1961]

think i'll give it a shot!
thanks

[rayofleamington]

make sure the wings fit perfectly before painting.

This is 100 times more of a problem if you are replacing any /all the wings, but even with originals any tweaking MUST be done before paint.

Body repair painting is often done with the car fully assembled - however 9 times out of 10 this means the paint quality over lifetime is shoddy. Paint will start to peel back from panel joints or lift next top the screen rubbers, and the unpainted areas rust, etc...

Any replacement panel should be treated with zinc based weldable primer before fitting to ensure the internal parts are not bare metal.
After welding and painting is the ideal time to protect inside the sills and box sections with waxoil.

To be honest, a big project as a first project is either brave or foolhardy. I'm not trying to be mean (honest!) but merely to pre-warn you that commitments change and it's not always possible to cope with the unexpected extras from a big project. If the car is not far from roadworthy to start with, then there should be less work, and less of an issue.
Also don't go and buy all the shiny bits 'ready for later'. This is a very common approach as buying the shiny bits is fun, but you don't need to go far to find people who never finished their project and had spent a small fortune on parts they will never use.
Therefore really try to avoid buying stuff until you really need it - this way more funds are available for the unexpected jobs.

My recommendation to a new minor owner or prospective owner is to get used to driving the car and find out what if anything you want to change rather than spend tons of time doing a resto but having never had the opportunity to drive a Minor.

[morris1961]

ah okay, thanks for the tips there

i have plenty of time to do and finish the project. the cars been off the road since 2008 and ive only started work this week, it did look pretty roadworthy but when i find small holes and bits jammed with filler i cant help but rip it all out and start again. i guess i should start looking for a decent welder first though!

[morris1961]

also - the front wings. do they have a rubber seal? or do you just use sealant?

[DaisyMayFozz]

don't think they have a rubber seal, but im not sure

can we have some piccys?? an owner of another 61 loves piccys!!

[morris1961]

i will upload some pics soon as i work out how to!

[morris1961]

[frame][/frame]

[ASL642]

Pretty colour. No rubber seals between the front wings. Just use seam sealer it's paintable so doesn't show.

[morris1961]

thanks, but i think the colour will be changed soon!
yeah everyones telling me that now, thanks

[aupickup]

paint the front wings on the car
tlhe rear wings paint seperate thenput on with the rear wing beading

[morris1961]

that makes a lot more sense, thanks