Sometimes it's the little things....
We've been making steady progress on the Metalizing of the '58 Mecedes 300 SL roadster but we did encounter a few snags along the way. First, we found some sections of the car had been lead filled and we needed to melt that out of there. Next, we found a couple of additional areas that needed to be welded along with the need to do some additional sand blasting. Then, yours truly managed to blow a little 7 amp fuse in the ArcSprayer when he forgot to remove the tips prior to loading fresh wire. As fate would have it, these little fuses are not readily available at the local electronics store or auto parts depot. Fortunately, the manufacture has them in stock and is sending us some, but it pretty much shut the machine down for a day and a half.
Fortunately, we're not lacking for other work and we've been able to keep the projects moving forward, but it's a great example of how a seemingly small item can slow you down.
We also spent some time researching the set up of the clutch linkage on the '72 Morgan 4/4......seems the parts we've got don't match the diagrams and none of the photographs we have show the configuration. We'll get it, but here again a “small” item slowed things down. Again, there are plenty of other pieces to be installed on the car and it is moving along nicely.
Then there are the hood latches for the 1938 HRG Coupe. The latches themselves are really cool, period correct pieces that look great on the car, but the way they are designed to work will require that the hood (or more correctly the “Bonnet”) be pulled outward before it can be flipped up. We're concerned that repeated openings will eventually scratch the paint on the fenders....and we don't want that. One of the interesting side notes about this particular problem is that we approached it as a team, looking for input and ideas from everyone in search of the best solution. Just another one of those “little things”.
Check back for updates on the cars and look for an upcoming blog about “Bill and Paul's Excellent Adventure” scheduled for Mid-March.
Happy Motoring.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Time to do the dirty work
Welcome to the third post of the Hahn and Woodward "Restoration Times" blog!.....
So, you think the restoration of these Classic, Vintage and Collector Cars is a glamour job? Time to talk about doing some of the dirty work....in this case, sand blasting and metalizing.
Metalizing (a.k.a. ArcSpraying) is the process of spraying molten particles of metal onto a surface...in this case car bodies and components. Metalizing allows us to quickly build up a corrosive resistant metal surface over body seams and panels that can then be sanded and shaped as needed. Because it forms a solid bond with the underlying metal, it is not prone to cracking like regular body filler would be. It can also be applied to parts (such as aluminum, etc.). Check out our web site at www.hahnandwoodward.com for a more detailed explanation of the process (and pictures!).
To give the metal and better surface to adhere to, the body panels/part need to be sandblasted. Since its still winter here in Western Pennsylvania, we’ve got to do the blasting inside the shop. We have a special booth set up to contain the dirt and the dust but for the poor guy doing the blasting it’s still hot and dirty work that requires protective clothing and air filtration. Similarly, the metalizing process itself requires full garb including welding gloves and shields as well as a separate air supply due to the fumes created. Once the weather breaks, we’ll be able to move some of this work outside, but for now we’re working indoors. Currently, the 300 SL roadster is in the booth. It will soon be followed by the 300 SL Gullwing along with various other parts.
If you have any questions about the process or have parts you’d like to have metalized (we offer this as a service) feel free to drop us an e-mail at info@hahnandwoodward.com
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on our progress.
Happy motoring!
So, you think the restoration of these Classic, Vintage and Collector Cars is a glamour job? Time to talk about doing some of the dirty work....in this case, sand blasting and metalizing.
Metalizing (a.k.a. ArcSpraying) is the process of spraying molten particles of metal onto a surface...in this case car bodies and components. Metalizing allows us to quickly build up a corrosive resistant metal surface over body seams and panels that can then be sanded and shaped as needed. Because it forms a solid bond with the underlying metal, it is not prone to cracking like regular body filler would be. It can also be applied to parts (such as aluminum, etc.). Check out our web site at www.hahnandwoodward.com for a more detailed explanation of the process (and pictures!).
To give the metal and better surface to adhere to, the body panels/part need to be sandblasted. Since its still winter here in Western Pennsylvania, we’ve got to do the blasting inside the shop. We have a special booth set up to contain the dirt and the dust but for the poor guy doing the blasting it’s still hot and dirty work that requires protective clothing and air filtration. Similarly, the metalizing process itself requires full garb including welding gloves and shields as well as a separate air supply due to the fumes created. Once the weather breaks, we’ll be able to move some of this work outside, but for now we’re working indoors. Currently, the 300 SL roadster is in the booth. It will soon be followed by the 300 SL Gullwing along with various other parts.
If you have any questions about the process or have parts you’d like to have metalized (we offer this as a service) feel free to drop us an e-mail at info@hahnandwoodward.com
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on our progress.
Happy motoring!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Project Cars
Welcome to the Hahn and Woodward "Restoration Times" blog!.....
In our blog we will offer restoration tips/tricks and ideas, keep you up to date on happenings at the shop and offer our thoughts on issues of interest to the Classic, Vintage and Collector Car Restoration marketplace.
For blog #2 we thought we’d give you a rundown of the active projects underway at our shop:
Currently, we’ve got a 1972 Morgan +4, a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, a 1946 Chevy Hot Rod Panel Truck and a 1938 HRG Coupe, all in various stages of restoration.
As you can see, we have quite a diverse group of vehicles to work on. In the wings is a ’72 Mercedes 280 SE, an MG and a Ferrari.....with even more on the waiting list behind them.
At a high level, the ’46 Panel truck is nearing completion. It’s currently being wired and will next be sent to the upholstery shop to have the interior installed. The ’72 Morgan is in the process of assembly. The drive train is being installed at the moment. Soon we’ll get the body into the booth for paint. The Mercedes-Benz roadster and gullwing are being prepped for metalizing (more on this process in a later blog) and the HRG is being "test" fitted to make sure all of the pieces will go back together properly. To be sure, there is still a lot of work to do on these vehicles before they can be considered "finished" but we’re making very steady progress.
On a side note, we are saddened to hear of the loss of a friend of the Western Pa. car cruise community. DJ R.D. Summers passed away last weekend. R.D. was a regular DJ for many of the area car cruises. He was well known by many and will be greatly missed.
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on the progress of one of these projects in more detail and be sure to check out our website at www.hahnandwoodward.com with pictures of our projects and other services.
Happy motoring!
In our blog we will offer restoration tips/tricks and ideas, keep you up to date on happenings at the shop and offer our thoughts on issues of interest to the Classic, Vintage and Collector Car Restoration marketplace.
For blog #2 we thought we’d give you a rundown of the active projects underway at our shop:
Currently, we’ve got a 1972 Morgan +4, a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, a 1946 Chevy Hot Rod Panel Truck and a 1938 HRG Coupe, all in various stages of restoration.
As you can see, we have quite a diverse group of vehicles to work on. In the wings is a ’72 Mercedes 280 SE, an MG and a Ferrari.....with even more on the waiting list behind them.
At a high level, the ’46 Panel truck is nearing completion. It’s currently being wired and will next be sent to the upholstery shop to have the interior installed. The ’72 Morgan is in the process of assembly. The drive train is being installed at the moment. Soon we’ll get the body into the booth for paint. The Mercedes-Benz roadster and gullwing are being prepped for metalizing (more on this process in a later blog) and the HRG is being "test" fitted to make sure all of the pieces will go back together properly. To be sure, there is still a lot of work to do on these vehicles before they can be considered "finished" but we’re making very steady progress.
On a side note, we are saddened to hear of the loss of a friend of the Western Pa. car cruise community. DJ R.D. Summers passed away last weekend. R.D. was a regular DJ for many of the area car cruises. He was well known by many and will be greatly missed.
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on the progress of one of these projects in more detail and be sure to check out our website at www.hahnandwoodward.com with pictures of our projects and other services.
Happy motoring!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Choosing an automotive restoration shop
Welcome to the launch of the Hahn and Woodward "Restoration Times" blog!.....
In our blog we will work to offer restoration tips/tricks and ideas, keep you up to date on happenings at the shop and offer our thoughts on issues of interest to the Classic, Vintage and Collector Car Restoration marketplace.
So, for our first blog, we'd like to relay a few thoughts on what makes a car a good restoration candidate. Obviously, the restoration of a rare or historic vehicle is virtually a no-brainer, but what about a less exotic or more common vehicle? A story from our recent appearance at the 2009 Pittsburgh World of Wheels Rod and Custom Show provides a good example of another type of resto candidate. We spent the weekend talking with folks and answering questions about a ground up restoration that Bill did on a muscle car for one of our clients. One of the shows' promoters, a friend of ours, introduced us to a gentleman who was interested in restoring an old vehicle that has been in his family for years. In his own words he described the vehicle as being like a family "heirloom". While the car is not a high dollar collector car like a Mercedes Gullwing or other highly sought marque, it is important to this man. The car has been kept in a garage and hasn't moved for many years. It should be in decent shape, but we won't know until we actually get the opportunity to inspect the car. The gentleman spoke to one of our philosophies.....namely that a properly done restoration can last generations and can truly become a family heirloom. We have done our share of "re-restorations" where a vehicle has been brought to us after it was "restored" elsewhere only to find the original work was not holding up. We fully realize that not everyone can afford to do a 100 point, Concours level resto on their vehicle, but we strongly encourage anyone considering such a project to do their homework and seek a shop that has a good reputation for quality work at a fair price rather than the least expensive alternative. Car shows and cruises are often good sources for this information as are magazines and web sites....talk to people...almost everyone in the car community want's to talk about their ride! You won't be disappointed!
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on the progress of one of our projects and be sure to check out our website at www.hahnandwoodward.com with pictures of our projects and other services
Happy motoring!
In our blog we will work to offer restoration tips/tricks and ideas, keep you up to date on happenings at the shop and offer our thoughts on issues of interest to the Classic, Vintage and Collector Car Restoration marketplace.
So, for our first blog, we'd like to relay a few thoughts on what makes a car a good restoration candidate. Obviously, the restoration of a rare or historic vehicle is virtually a no-brainer, but what about a less exotic or more common vehicle? A story from our recent appearance at the 2009 Pittsburgh World of Wheels Rod and Custom Show provides a good example of another type of resto candidate. We spent the weekend talking with folks and answering questions about a ground up restoration that Bill did on a muscle car for one of our clients. One of the shows' promoters, a friend of ours, introduced us to a gentleman who was interested in restoring an old vehicle that has been in his family for years. In his own words he described the vehicle as being like a family "heirloom". While the car is not a high dollar collector car like a Mercedes Gullwing or other highly sought marque, it is important to this man. The car has been kept in a garage and hasn't moved for many years. It should be in decent shape, but we won't know until we actually get the opportunity to inspect the car. The gentleman spoke to one of our philosophies.....namely that a properly done restoration can last generations and can truly become a family heirloom. We have done our share of "re-restorations" where a vehicle has been brought to us after it was "restored" elsewhere only to find the original work was not holding up. We fully realize that not everyone can afford to do a 100 point, Concours level resto on their vehicle, but we strongly encourage anyone considering such a project to do their homework and seek a shop that has a good reputation for quality work at a fair price rather than the least expensive alternative. Car shows and cruises are often good sources for this information as are magazines and web sites....talk to people...almost everyone in the car community want's to talk about their ride! You won't be disappointed!
Check back soon. We'll be soon posting a fresh blog updating everyone on the progress of one of our projects and be sure to check out our website at www.hahnandwoodward.com with pictures of our projects and other services
Happy motoring!
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