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I decided I couldn't put the priming off any longer so armed with Keyser's advice, endless YouTube videos and a strong coffee I set to. What I hadn't anticipated is just how messy even getting started is. Plus you need some sort of flat surface to test the initial mix / spray set up on. Added to this, I was in a flap about how long I had once the activator was added. The best purchase was the mixing cups, 50 for a fiver. Originally I was going to use a Pyrex jug. First was inside the sills, I figured that if I made a mess of this no one would see it and it is more of a rust prevention coat than a finish for a top coat. This went on a bit too thick so it was a matter of adding a bit more thinners. By this stage I had found a sheet of kingspan insulation to test my mix on. It's not like an aerosol, the gun has three adjustments (maybe more ) pressure, spray pattern and paint / air mix. I just kept twiddling knobs Anyway after more testing and worrying the paint was going to set solid in the gun, I managed this. Pretty pleased really but a lot more practice needed. I need to seam seal all the internal floor joints so that should be a good area to practice more on.

Mini update. Despite work and family conspiring against me, I've still managed to get a bit done. The car came back to me from Colin the blasting guy in epoxy primer. The sills were deliberately left off along with a couple of repairs to the rear lower arches to allow them to thoroughly de rust these areas and prime inside the sills for extra rust protection. I quickly came to the conclusion that I needed to get set up for re priming any additional repairs or panels, ideally with the same epoxy primer. A big thanks to Chris ( Keyser ) for taking the time to give me some advice. Nozzle sizes, cleaning guns etc. Buying new tools is always fun. "All the gear and no idea......." Now to repair the rear lower arch area. If you look back to page one this is how it all started two years ago. The reason for leaving this until after blasting is that the inner arch and outer arch trap moisture here so plenty of zinc weld through primer... Spot welder so it looks original ( My best E bay bargain ) A little bit more fetling and hopefully very little lead or filler required. Then made a start on the inner sill strengtheners. These were only fitted by Jaguar to the racing E types but are now standard fitment by Eagle and Hutsons, so if they are good enough for a £250k Eagle E type. Not sure if I need to pixelate the next picture to avoid copyright infringement I wanted to do a bit of priming but hate starting something I haven't got a clue about last think at night and am waiting to get some disposable mixing pots to get the mix ratios right. That's all for the moment. The next big job will be fitting the outer sill which has to be lined up to the door. I want to spend as much time as it takes to get the gaps absolutely right. Thanks for the encouragement and watching.

Others might advise differently, but in my view, if you see the property purely as an investment and not the family home, it's all down to monthly payments and you want to buy a renovation project, go for interest only initially so you can afford a better house. As your circumstances improve you could change to repayment if you wanted. Use your spare money to do the house up. I didn't realise you are renting at the moment. That 8k rent you mention, could have gone towards a property like the one you are in now, that has gone up 10% in the last 12 months without even renovating it. So you'd already be 15k better off. (20k appreciation less 5k interest only payments) What's the worst that can happen, it all goes pear shaped and you go back to renting. No kids, no major commitments, do it while you are young.

I think i'm too cautious to be lucky. The other reason i've not bought is i see the housing market as being too volatile. The way house prices are rising right now, i can only see them falling through the floor when the bubble bursts again. Hi Chris, long time no talk. We work for a few very rich self made people,and sometimes I have to say I think were am I going wrong. Don't get me wrong, I'm reasonably well off but it's that step to a different league. What I have noticed is that they just get on with it with an unnerving energy and self belief. I'm a bit like you, by the time I've worried about it and thought it through, the opportunity has passed. Case in point is a local company a stone's throw from us both, Magpie. They polish scratches out of old cds dvds etc and then flog them. I was doing this for my son and his mates playstation games with t cut years ago. Magpie guys just took it to another level and ran with it and are now multi milionaires I have renovated properties for people and made them fortunes. As Dan says, a lot is down to luck. What I will say about property though, as history shows, in the longterm, it will always go up. My first house in Macclesfield was £8,000, its now £120,000. the problem comes if you have to bail out in a dip. I've said to you before, if your not a risk taker, property in this country, long term is always a good investment. I realised that after blowing fortunes on fancy cars

Cheers guys Another quick update. Body shell back home and picked up the new engine frames yesterday. Sorry about the photo quality on the frames, the project has now overflowed into the house much to my wife's disapproval! Frames Now can't wait for the weekend to get stuck in.

Well at long last a bit of progress and a mini mid year update for the dedicated few who are still following this Following a set back with the engine frames needing replacing, and another bill for £2k, the body went off for blast cleaning and zinc epoxy priming. I had a few minor issues with the company that did the bonnet, loosing small bits and damaging the centre section so was very nervous about taking the shell to them. Instead I took it to a company in Warrington who I can not speak too highly of. They hand stripped the vast majority of it before blasting and actually worked through the night to get it in primer without leaving the freshly blasted metal to "flash over" with surface rust. Bizz and Keyser will be able to identify with this. The car should be back with me Monday and i'm going up to the North East on Tuesday to pick up the new engine frames . In the meantime here are a few pictures courtesy of the blast cleaning guys. Might not seem a big deal but for me marks hopefully a turning point where I can start to see some progress. Blasting.. Priming.. Just looking at these again I can't wait to get it back and get stuck in. Hopefully more frequent updates to follow and thanks for following !

Some great pics there, nice spot of the ex Duncan Hamilton XK 120 LXF 731.

On a similar note, I didn't realise that new drivers were on probation for 2 years with a six point limit. My son's friend has just had his licence revoked for two offences on the same day and only a month to go on probation. He now has to take his theory and test again.

Thank you. I'll have a look at that There's http://forums.jag-lo...hp3������������ and http://www.jec.org.u...c.org.uk/������ Both worth a look. Cangrats on your purchase, everyone seems to be swopping for 911s and American muscle recently, so nice to see another JAAAAAAG owner. See you at the club house.

The daunting part is that I now have a garage full of dismantled car that now owes me R35 GTR money. Despite the set backs and extra costs, I am still enjoying the build . Ultimately this is what I'm aiming for, the light at the end of the tunnel as it were..... And if I could get the engine bay like this, I'd be a happy man

Thanks for remembering me Will! Still finding holes and spending money I hadn't budgeted for. Case in point is the front engine frames. They looked fine but the advice is if they rattle when you shake them they are rusty inside and need replacing. Can this be tested while still bolted to the car? No. Do mine rattle? Have a guess...... New ones ordered, just over £2k lighter in the bank! The next update will be in a couple of weeks when the shell goes for blasting and zinc epoxy primer so will get some pictures up. I am hoping this will mark a turning point.

Very nice, congrats!

That's the one!

Unusual as you don't see many white ones and the "BBK" made me think of Bounty Bar Kid on here, but unless he's wrapped his white couldn't have been him.

Sorry was trying to post pics and a link for you but phone crashed. Try this.... http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/stainless-steel-p-clips-twin-13mm

As regards hose and cable restraints, what about stainless "P" clips..... All different sizes..

Looks absolutely fantastic mate!!! So glad the zed stayed on the forum.

4.2 litre and £zero....... Couldn't find an even smugger smiley.

Looks great Graham. Plenty of room for a Cosworth BDA in there then! Looking forward to your updates. Try to keep them to less than every six months like mine.

Love it, and all for the price of a sofa!

Looks good. Re the decals, have a look at Wizurd's , I put VHT clear laquer over them to protect them and they seem to be holding up 18 months later.

Eagerly awaited update thanks. Looking good as always!

That exhaust looks fantastic as well, might even release a few more bhp.

Looks great mate. Love what you've done with the engine bay!

Peter Green before the drugs.