1970 Austin 1800 MkII.

[dave1800]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the update. I appreciate it takes a lot to admit to yourself that you are suffering from depression and even more especially as a man to go public. It has taken decades for it to be recognised as a treatable disease and the old “snap out of it” attitude to be recognised as doing more harm.

You are not alone. The owner of Barum Engines (excellent Youtube videos) recently admitted he was having similar issues. The amount of support he received from viewers many of whom had also suffered often in silence was overwhelming. I am sure you will have the same support from the forum readers, many of whom are likely to have gone through some depressive even sometime in their lives.

As you will be aware depression can have many causes each of which require a different approach. It may be down to as single traumatic event, an accumulation of several smaller upsets, a metabolic disturbance, post viral infection, getting old etc.

What is important is that you have the support of your good wife to help you through this difficult time and it is good to see with her help you have broken through the apathy and carried out the repairs to your car with your customary skill. You will have good days and some not so good days but remember you are not alone and I am sure everyone here will be routing for you.

David

[Penguin45]

Thank you, David. You are absolutely correct on all counts. The first step is the hardest part - admit that there's a problem.

Big spanners arrived today, so "The Drip" has been dealt with. Sort of...

Austin 1800 wing repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Nipped up and now bone dry. Unfortunately, the Schrader valve is now pointing at the bulkhead. I'll have to drain that side and realign the whole thing. Later.

Otherwise it's been a day of dodging the showers, fill, flat, stoppering, flatting and building up some layers of primer.

Austin 1800 wing repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

So I've managed to achieve about half of what was on todays list, but it's all progress.

C.

[Penguin45]

Dry morning, so finished flatting the wing and layered up three coats of Damask.

Austin 1800 wing repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Not great, but not bad. Overspray will come off easily.

Then, inside the wing to protect that new metal. Bit of etch, some random top coat followed by a dose of schutz. Tomorrow I'll shoot some wax up there as well. Belt, braces, safety pins...

C.

[dave1800]

You've certainly got it back in shape! What are the liability responsibilities when damage is caused by a recovery truck (assuming it is in the process of recovering your car of course). No doubt there is some very fine print somewhere.



David

[Penguin45]

Some time later...

Wing fully re-assembled.

VOF707J Wing Repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Plenty of underseal followed by cavity wax up behind the headlamp bowl. Should protect it, especially as the wing liners are now refitted.

VOF707J Wing Repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Repeater replaced with a Lucas one. Had to weld new mounting studs to it. M3 - I won't tell anyone if you don't. Still need to re-instate the gold stripe.

VOF707J Wing Repairs by Penguin 45, on Flickr

Un-mangled beauty ring fitted. I've got it wrong by a couple of millimetres as it's fouling the grill surround trim. It'll have to do. Bit of overspray to scrub off and I'll call that done.

Chris.

[dave1800]

It's looking good, you have worked your magic again! I seem to recall it was not uncommon for the headlight surrounds to foul the grill surround as they left the factory. Can you remind me and new readers about the liners to keep the crud from corroding the wings.

David

[Penguin45]

The wheel arch liners were a very kind gift from AndrewA of this parish. They are made by Lokari in Germany - HERE. They don't actually show a picture, but the link will give you a good idea. They do require a right wrestling match to put in place and a couple of retaining screws to lock them in place. They do enclose the inside of the wing pretty well, so keep the worst of the water away from the inside. The only down side that I've come across is that access to the repeater is restricted, so removing the headlamp is required to access the wiring.

Chris.