C.A.R.

I thought everyone might be interested in how I used Molasses to de-rust a bonnet. It may be applicable to members who wish to derust a metal item without resorting to media blasting. Backstory: I'm helping my brother restore his Mk1 Austin Healey Sprite. When he bought the Sprite as a disassembled project, it came with a repoduction fiberglass bonnet. Originally these cars came with a one piece steel bonnet and Brotato wanted to restore the Sprite with an original steel item - problem being, these are now rare and good bonnets command silly prices. He found a bonnet on Gumtree in Perth that was a bit sad in condition, but it was complete and fairly unmolested. It had however been media blasted, given a light coat of Red Oxide then left to rust some 15+ years ago. He bought it for a few hundred dollars and I had it shipped over. Now I didn't want to have it Garnet blasted again to remove the rust and risk warping the already thin steel. Soda blasting was out as it won't effectively remove rust this ingrained, it could also warp the panels and it's an expensive process to have done. I considered sanding & wire buffing the rust then applying phosphoric acid, but this is laborious and probably won't remove every last spec of rust. The Molasses bath seemed like the best solution as I had success with this technique before on engine tinware (rocker covers, timing covers etc). So we unpicked the guards off the centre section of the bonnet - as the T-beading had rusted away and would have to be replaced - as well as the radiator intake ducting etc. I then went on eBay and bought a cheap 800ltr inflatable pool for about $140, bought 40ltrs of stock feed Molasses, filled the pool up with water and immersed the bonnet in it: We then mixed in the Molasses covering the part of the bonnet we wanted to de-rust (we are replacing the lower valance as it's beyond repair) :

Buy one of these and go nuts: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3500AMP-Vehicle-Panel-Spot-Puller-Dent-Spotter-Stud-Active-Welder-GYS-2700-230V/222449042096?epid=895613250&hash=item33caff02b0:g:LFMAAOSwDkVaJl9u

I wasn't able to make it down there myself, but according to a fellow Z owner who was there the 260Z went for $19,500 to a phone bidder. It allegedly had some major underlying issues, so the new owner might be in for a bit of a surprise...

Thanks for the help Gav. New layout looks good!

Just the way I like it - without lube. Download AceStream. You'll be able to find a stream of it for free.

Is this more of the that QLD bum sniffing?

Hold on... Is that the obscure game that queenslanders play, where they stick there heads in their teammates bum and take a big sniff?

Re-spray in 2-Pac.

JP don't do forged pistons - stock replacement pistons only. Colin at SPS is very helpful. Tell him the specs of your engine and he'll manufacture a forged piston to suit. No actually true - Colin makes some very trick pistons. Only difference being is that the forging he uses is different to what JE and CP use - i.e. not as shiny as the Yank items when finished. There is a reason for this...

What on earth is 'State of Origin'?

That's a very industrial looking Pulpit. https://youtu.be/dik_wnOE4dk?t=37

Kameari small port - $600 with linkages. Order direct from Kameari Japan. Linkage post at distributor end may need light clearencing to clear the distributor. Redline and cannon are also fine - I just prefer the Kameari/Harass item.

Looking svelte there mate Have you lost weight?

The LightMaster climbing the (short) corporate ladder. Maybe one day his Z will be as pristine as Kato Kids...

Order a genuine Nissan gasket.

If you get stuck, I have a few down here Pete.

You're a funny bloke, Pete.

Yep, I'll be heading down for a look & a cheaky bid.

Cool. I'll speak to you about that later.

I'm going to need a complete turret Gav - full A-posts and roof please.

Try for a Gorilla, Pete - you never know!

$500.00 Gearbox: $250 Flywheel: $100 P/Box: $100 Cylinders: $50

That's utterly preposterous! Who do you think I am?! A wealthy Porsche owner or something?!

My final offer $3.50.

He's nearly as old as you, Richard!