Resurrecting a 1948 Jaguar 1-1/2 liter Saloon

[msabbasi]

you should do it yourself, most people, even detailers don't understand that the approach for work on such old paints is not the same as that for new clearcoated ones. such old single stage paint can't be treated by conventional methods (compound). it need to first be hydrated and then you can think about giving it a cut (that too if there is enough paint). i recommend discussing your car on autogeekonline.net. and even before you think about treating all the paint, you should do a test spot and check how the paint reacts to your treatment and then keep your test spot under observation for atleast a month. such old paints can get unstable, that means that they will again oxidise in a small time even after compound. this is a very delicate process which i don't believe that anyone can do in one day.

Thank you margallar, What you say makes the greatest sense to me - EVERY WORD. Ever since I was a kid, I was the one who waxed this car. That has been the only treatment it has ever got. Thanks again.

[msabbasi]

My late father's first car was a 1948 Hillman ( reg no. RI 438.....in case it survives.....!) bought in 1952 for Rs.4000 that also had an opening front windscreens and even when he got the car of his dreams in later years, he said he missed that tilting feature

These cars were indeed very charming. Hillman along with Wolseley, Humber were the Corollas and Civics of their time. Cars of today have zero personality. I wonder if we will remember our Corolla or Civic with the same fondness your dad used to remember his Hillman.

Cheers

[msabbasi]

Earlier in this thread, I had made reference to waiting on some parts in the mail. These were the gearbox seals and the rear leaf spring bushes. Well, they arrived from UK a few days ago. Cost of the spares was GBP 50 with GBP 20 for postage and Rs 5400/- for Customs. I tried using local oil seals but due to not being able to find the correct seals, oil continues to leak from the gearbox. Once the car gets back from the paint shop, I'll attack the gear box. However, trying to do the leaf spring by myself would be unsafe and there is a pretty high probability I'll end up hurting myself.

[msabbasi]

The day was spent in removing all the trim (lights, mirrors) that could possibly be getting in the way of the re-spray job.

The trip to the paint shop drew some strange looks and some amused looks from other drivers. I am used to that but what worries me is when other drivers get too close with their cars to get a better look. And the bike wallas?..:o!!!

Anyway here we are at the paint shop. The shop was not cooperating with me saying that they will not do any dismantling due to fear of rusty bolts breaking etc. I took my old tool kit and removed the rear mudguard for the painting job. They came off as easy as 1..2..3.

Here are the wheels after painting at home shod with new tires. I think they look OK.

Here the step beads are seen on the running boards. These have to be removed since the running boards will be painted. You can see my other car the Civic reflected in the door of the Jag. (This paint is from 1948!).

Removing the rubber anti slip beads on the running board was the messiest part of the job. The old rubber had hardened and become brittle. My trusty chisel and hammer made quick work of removing it. This is one side after removal.

That is the progress for today. Rest tomorrow.

[Yahyujee]

I don't know what to say!!!! This is an outstanding feat of love, effort, care and passion combined! Hats OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

[margallar]

These are the first pics that show the true condition of the paint and it is truly amazing for its age. i was expecting a dried out and hazy mess, but i guess old jags had quality paint and this one had caring owners. btw which waxes have been used all this time

[VEEeight]

The day was spent in removing all the trim (lights, mirrors) that could possibly be getting in the way of the re-spray job.

The trip to the paint shop drew some strange looks and some amused looks from other drivers. I am used to that but what worries me is when other drivers get too close with their cars to get a better look. And the bike wallas?..:o!!!

Anyway here we are at the paint shop. The shop was not cooperating with me saying that they will not do any dismantling due to fear of rusty bolts breaking etc. I took my old tool kit and removed the rear mudguard for the painting job. They came off as easy as 1..2..3.

Here are the wheels after painting at home shod with new tires. I think they look OK.

Here the step beads are seen on the running boards. These have to be removed since the running boards will be painted. You can see my other car the Civic reflected in the door of the Jag. (This paint is from 1948!).

Removing the rubber anti slip beads on the running board was the messiest part of the job. The old rubber had hardened and become brittle. My trusty chisel and hammer made quick work of removing it. This is one side after removal.

That is the progress for today. Rest tomorrow.

this is all such a treat to see. The paint survival has a lot to do with the low mileage and the car being undercover for long periods, I presume. It makes me wonder about all the "effort" I put into a restoration and the end result can nowhere near be anything like this! GREAT stuff

[VEEeight]

These cars were indeed very charming. Hillman along with Wolseley, Humber were the Corollas and Civics of their time. Cars of today have zero personality. I wonder if we will remember our Corolla or Civic with the same fondness your dad used to remember his Hillman.

Cheers

Oddly enough, I think we will. The corollas and civics of today are faultless in delivering what they are supposed to

[msabbasi]

I don't know what to say!!!! This is an outstanding feat of love, effort, care and passion combined! Hats OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Still a bit more work to do

[msabbasi]

These are the first pics that show the true condition of the paint and it is truly amazing for its age. i was expecting a dried out and hazy mess, but i guess old jags had quality paint and this one had caring owners. btw which waxes have been used all this time

Thanks margallar,

The credit goes to granddad and dad. They were the caretakers before me. My job is easy. All I have to do is to preserve this gem for the next 60 years:)

Regarding waxes, when I was a kid, it was Mansion car polish with silicone. Today we stay away from silicone polishes. Presently I use a three part system from Maguire's. The system begins with a swirl remover (polish No.1), then it is a wax polish (Polish No.2) Final step is Carnauba Wax (polish No.3). The system is sold in red coloured bottles with them marked as No. 1, No.2, and No.3.

I also use Simonize once in a while when I don't want to go the tree step system. Oh! and I use microfiber cloth for lifting the polish.

Cheers

[Thinking]

bro can this be taken to pebble beach or its not that exclusive?

[msabbasi]

this is all such a treat to see. The paint survival has a lot to do with the low mileage and the car being undercover for long periods, I presume. It makes me wonder about all the "effort" I put into a restoration and the end result can nowhere near be anything like this! GREAT stuff

I agree with all your points except the last one. I have seen your threads. It is true that I put in 20% of effort this project compared to what you put in yours. The difference is you take dust and turn it into diamond and I just took a diamond and took the dust off it. BIG DIFFERENCE. For the me the biggest headache was what to keep and what to renew ….. And that is really no headache.

[msabbasi]

bro can this be taken to pebble beach or its not that exclusive?

Dude,

Sorry not exclusive at all. Pretty run of the mill vehicle and the least desirable of the 5-4 model sold at the time. From this period the most desireable was the XK120. A good one will sell upwards of a $150,000. The best this one will mange is about $20,000 - $30,000 in the international market.

[msabbasi]

Oddly enough, I think we will. The corollas and civics of today are faultless in delivering what they are supposed to

Your augment has its merits but ...... A toaster is also faultless in doing what it is supposed to:) but it is hard to get attached to it. Your VW, now that’s a different story, it has charm, charisma and character. It is different from all the other cars on the road and I am sure you do get appreciative glances from people when you are out on the road.

[msabbasi]

Ok so how did we fare at the paint shop today. In two words ... pretty good.

This side is worst of the two hence the need to straighten and use filler and recheck again and again.

All excess filler was sanded down to just the bare minimum.

Guide coat was applied to look for imperfections.

Eagle eyed painter Shehzad address nicks and dents. I think he is going a bit over board. Frankly, I didn?t see anything wrong in the places he put filler.

In the paint booth being masked, as you can see just the wings are being done. Main body is totally hidden.

I was there when the car came out of the oven. I didn?t expect the car to be quite as hot as it was; like standing under the June sun at noon. The car was allowed to sit for a day before paint cutting was to begin.

[VEEeight]

Ok so how did we fare at the paint shop today. In two words ... pretty good.

This side is worst of the two hence the need to straighten and use filler and recheck again and again.

All excess filler was sanded down to just the bare minimum.

Guide coat was applied to look for imperfections.

Eagle eyed painter Shehzad address nicks and dents. I think he is going a bit over board. Frankly, I didn?t see anything wrong in the places he put filler.

In the paint booth being masked, as you can see just the wings are being done. Main body is totally hidden.

I was there when the car came out of the oven. I didn?t expect the car to be quite as hot as it was; like sanding under the June sun at noon. The car was allowed to sit for a day before paint cutting was to begin.

Waiting for the car to come out of the oven may well have been like waiting for a loved one to be brought out of an operation theatre!! Painters have this "ability" to feel these nicks ( when u can't!) with their hands as they go about their work. Makes me think they must all be very good lovers The nice part about the paint stage is the visual impact on the refurbishing, makes me feel as if am finally getting somewhere with it!

[VEEeight]

Your augment has its merits but ...... A toaster is also faultless in doing what it is supposed to:) but it is hard to get attached to it. Your VW, now that’s a different story, it has charm, charisma and character. It is different from all the other cars on the road and I am sure you do get appreciative glances from people when you are out on the road.

You make a valid point, but I imagine we'll never really know as we are not likely to be the ones doing the reminiscing !

The merits of a VW were once likened to the first black n white TVs in that whilst now we have the latest in this technology, the thrill of foolling people into actually dressing up to watch it when it first came out can never be repeated.

The VW in my care is on the same "platform" as your Jaguar from a sentiment point and when am driving it , any one of the countless memories from over the last 4 decades+ comes to mind ( like how I could tell Mom was coming to pick me up from school as in those days it was possible to see this red blob on Tulsa Rd from the car park...) and nostalgia takes over only to be crudely brought back to reality at a traffic light when some unknowing kid will say " uncle jee, for sale hai?"! It's best too politely, sometimes even chokingly, say no......how do you put a price on this "memory carrier"....???

[margallar]

Thanks margallar,

The credit goes to granddad and dad. They were the caretakers before me. My job is easy. All I have to do is to preserve this gem for the next 60 years:)

Regarding waxes, when I was a kid, it was Mansion car polish with silicone. Today we stay away from silicone polishes. Presently I use a three part system from Maguire's. The system begins with a swirl remover (polish No.1), then it is a wax polish (Polish No.2) Final step is Carnauba Wax (polish No.3). The system is sold in red coloured bottles with them marked as No. 1, No.2, and No.3.

I also use Simonize once in a while when I don't want to go the tree step system. Oh! and I use microfiber cloth for lifting the polish.

Cheers

those red bottles are mothers, not meguiars. anyways, since those products work fine on this paint, it means that the paint is not unstable, so it may be worth spending some time on it. i think you will like the #26 wax by meguiars, it was made for these kind of paints

[msabbasi]

You make a valid point, but I imagine we'll never really know as we are not likely to be the ones doing the reminiscing !

The VW in my care is on the same "platform" as your Jaguar from a sentiment point and when am driving it , any one of the countless memories from over the last 4 decades+ comes to mind ( like how I could tell Mom was coming to pick me up from school as in those days it was possible to see this red blob on Tulsa Rd from the car park...) and nostalgia takes over only to be crudely brought back to reality at a traffic light when some unknowing kid will say " uncle jee, for sale hai?"! It's best too politely, sometimes even chokingly, say no......how do you put a price on this "memory carrier"....???

Waiting for the car to come out of the oven may well have been like waiting for a loved one to be brought out of an operation theatre!! Painters have this "ability" to feel these nicks ( when u can't!) with their hands as they go about their work. Makes me think they must all be very good lovers The nice part about the paint stage is the visual impact on the refurbishing, makes me feel as if am finally getting somewhere with it!

To answer your second post, you have a way of stating the obvious in the most amusing manner. you had me in stitches. I could just imagine him working magic with his fingers

On your first post ...... Yes, time will tell when we are sitting with our grand kids (God willing) and say that I had this Corolla which had ...... and ?... etc. and our grand kids will be on Pakwheels saying this was my Granddad's Corolla 20XX and I am restoring it. A modern car that I will never forget was the one I bought after the 540i. This was a true luxmobile. Here is a picture of the exterior followed by shots of the interior. You can see my 540i in the background waiting to find a buyer.

This one was a 2004 745iL. Not as fast as the 540i but boy it did turn heads.

It had independent rear seats that were reclining with height adjustment plus heating and cooling. Once the arm rest was down a refrigerator was exposed. The armrest cover had a wireless phone (there were two phones one in the back and one in the front armrest). From the rear i-control knob all the functions of the car both front and rear could be controlled. Of course electric sunshades all around. And the sound system was a with full movie theatre experience - 14 speakers in all including sub-woofers under the front seats and voice effect speaker in the centre of the dash. 6 audio CD in dash and 6 DVD in the boot. Navigation for the Gulf countries. I could fill the entire page with its accessories.

If I was to buy a car here of my choice I would go for a high spec 2006 750iL. Others may disagree with me. Of all the cars I have owned, this one will remain truly memorable.

At the salon getting her beauty treatment.

[msabbasi]

those red bottles are mothers, not meguiars. anyways, since those products work fine on this paint, it means that the paint is not unstable, so it may be worth spending some time on it. i think you will like the #26 wax by meguiars, it was made for these kind of paints

margallar,

Thank you for your post and I am always eager to learn form others.

However it would be nice if the reader accepts what the writer is saying rather than challenging facts. Mainly because the writer is explaining something he actually did in the hope that the reader may learn from another's experiences. It seems that I have to show you the pictures of what I am referring to in order to clear the misunderstanding. I bought this Meguiar's system from overseas along with over 100Kg of other automotive care products (enough to open my own shop:).

The system is Meguiar's NOT Mothers. BTW I also have a few of the Mother's products too. I think Meguiar's is a bit better compared to Mother's. But this is my personal oppinion. Even in Meguiar's range the better sytem is the one called Gold Class. I hope I don't need to put pictures of that one too. I will get #26 wax of Meguiar's on my next trip to the shops. Thanks for the heads up on this product.

Cheers