Just to complete yesterday's story for any of you who might be interested in making something similar, it's finished and the job went okay. I used a hammerform to make the surround and shape the mesh and it's a case of, if the pattern is right, then the job must be right too. I've got two more to do in the same way. These are vents,on the sides of the bonnet.

For the radiator grille I'm planning a different approach.

John

Looks liek a very competent job you've made of it Jhn. Will it be painted to match the bonnet or left bare?

Nick, I'm agonising on what colour to paint it. The bonnet has to be painted because of the aluminium bulge, and the grille could be red to match. I think I've discounted having it anodised but I am seriously thinking of powder coating it matt black. Black goes well with the red and the headlight rims are also matt black.

I would be interested in other people's opinions.

alb

John

I made some very simple cut outs in my bonnet and bonded black mesh underneath, they look a lot better than silver mesh. It could be worth painting an off cut with some spray to get an idea of the effect.

That's a good idea Darren, I'll paint up some offcuts and see how they look. I too think silver will not be the best although in the end, it's very subjective and a matter of personal taste.

Hi powder coating is possibly a bad idea for somthing that is going to get stone chiped regularly.

Matt black spray so it can be touched up easily when stone chiped is best IMHO.

cheers matt

Hi Matt

This should be well out of the way of any stones being set in a kind of fold in the bonnet so hopefully it should be okay in that respect. As far as the durability of powder coating goes I've always found it pretty long suffering and resistant. The chassis on the Special was done in 1996 and it's as good now as when it was done.

I'm planning a polished stainless steel radiator grille so no paint issues there.

alb
John

Hi opologies i dont know why but even as i was looking at the pic i for some reason assumed it was for the front grill.

Please ignore me and continue whithout my assumptions .

cheers matt

PS paint to match body colour gets my vote.

[Edited on 6/2/07 by procomp]

No probs Matt, thank you for you interest.

Cheers

John

Looks good. I havent put a grill in mine but am considering it now.

My rad grill was nice shiney ally but a few thousand miles has given it a dark almost black appearance which looks better in my opinion.

Red and Black what an excellent combination

So are you going to have the car all painted and shiney for the Laon Historique?

Cheers

Jim

Thanks Jim, good to hear from you and for your kind words.

I'm very hopeful that all will be finished including the painting in time for Laon. I'm really looking forward to the event and to actually meeting people who at the moment are just names at the ends of posts.

The car is coming along well and I'm trying to avoid the temptation to rush it in the finishing stages as these are the things people will see and upon which I shall be judged. Now that the engine runs, when I sit in the car, don't have to make Brmm Brmm noises anymore so that must be progress!!

Best wishes

John

Very nice John.

I'd go with the black as well btw.

Paul G

Thanks Paul, then black it is.

How's the car coming on, i was hoping to see some more pictures.

alb

John

quote:

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Originally posted by John Bonnett
Thanks Paul, then black it is.

How's the car coming on, i was hoping to see some more pictures.

alb

John

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Paul, remember it's George Brown, Live Wire

John