Something to occupy the rainy afternoon

[Tom W]

I was a bit bored this afternoon, so I thought I'd have a go at polishing the dashpots on my P6. They've always been a flat gunmetal colour.



Here's what I've ended up with.



I've done this by hand using Autosol and Silvo. I wanted to keep some patina so I'm happy with the finish I have. No to go and do the 2nd carburettor.

Tom

Ps sorry about the picture size, I can't work out how to shrink them on my iPhone.

 

[redrover]

That's really good Tom. Similar finish to what I achieved on mine (same carbs too). I was keen to make mine look smart and clean, but not like everything's been chromed. The "just back from an expensive restorer who puts form before function" look is not my cup of tea.

Michael


photo by michaeljallen19, on Flickr

 

[Tom W]

Yes, they look very similar. I assume they were only lightly polished, if at all from the factory. There are still casting marks on mine, which would be removed if they were mirror polished to concourse standard.

I prefer my cars to have a used look and try to retain a patina wherever possible. I must be one of the few people out there with a tatty Jag E-type that actually gets used in anger on the road. Most in that condition are subject to a full rebuild.

Tom

 

[redrover]

I must be one of the few people out there with a tatty Jag E-type that actually gets used in anger on the road. Most in that condition are subject to a full rebuild.

You must be! There seems to be a giant magnet centred on West Sussex that hoovers up any remotely honest or original E Type and mutilates it into this bastardised contorted image of idealised 60s sex appeal. 10 years ago, they all came out Signal red over biscuit. Now they're all Gunmetal over Burgundy.

Shame.

 

[chrisw]

Yes, they look very similar. I assume they were only lightly polished, if at all from the factory. There are still casting marks on mine, which would be removed if they were mirror polished to concourse standard.

I prefer my cars to have a used look and try to retain a patina wherever possible. I must be one of the few people out there with a tatty Jag E-type that actually gets used in anger on the road. Most in that condition are subject to a full rebuild.

Tom

You probably are.. I just have a tatty E-type without an MoT until I can finish sorting the dash lights out

 

[Tom W]

Mines just run out of MOT. A few suspension bushes and a powersteering leak to fix and I should be back on the road. There's a lot more to do at some point, but I'd prefer to keep it road worthy if I can.

Tom

 

[chrisyork]

The "just back from an expensive restorer who puts form before function" look is not my cup of tea.

Spot on Michael! I'm so far the other way that there's a suspicion of rat look going on under Lucky's bonnet! That's function before form by the way - it does all have to work perfectly!

Chris

 

[Tom W]

The look I'd ideally like to achieve is how most of the historic racers at goodwood look. Obviously well maintained, but not looking brand new, and looking like they spend more time being used than polished.

Kind of like this.

 

[redrover]

I know what you mean, Tom. I think car's like that are polished for purely practical reasons. I.e., if there is a polished, smooth surface underneath, grease and grime and bits of crud can be wiped away easily with a cloth to prevent them getting places where they shouldn't. Otherwise, they'll just get impregnated into the rougher casting meaning you can never get the area truly clear of dirt when you wipe it.

So a sensible move really!

 

[corazon]

Don't forget, polishing parts will generally make them stronger and far less likely to crack under the same circumstances due to reducing/eliminating stress risers, and as Michael mentioned are far easier to keep clean quickly.
Cats or dogs, form or function..Why must we always be confined to one?
Some things function better and will last longer with a better form :wink:
The time spent polishing is also a misconception to anyone who has done much of it. Once the initial hard work has been done, maintenance is surprisingly minimal, actually saving you time compared to trying to keep raw rough cast metal clean..
I spend a lot of time working on other P6's from which the majority are dirty and neglected under the bonnet.
When compared to my engine bay, I know which I'd prefer to work on!
Jim

 

[Tom W]

My rover does seem to hoover up road dirt into the engine bay. Must be something to do with the roads I drive on, or the shape of the radiator aperture and car aerodynamics. I had cleaned off all the grime from the engine when I replaced the side plates, but it's starting to get grubby again. The rough castings on the cylinder head and the inlet manifold are particularly difficult to wipe clean.

 

[redrover]

You're very right, Jim. Once cleaned and polished once, it's very easy to just wipe everything clean again. I polished my cam cover (why does everyone say 'rocker cover' she talking about the four-cylinder?), dashpots and all the little plugs on the front of the engine. All anybody ever said to me when I first completed it was how hard I must have to work to keep it looking like that. The honest truth is i don't. I'll wipe it with a dry rag every couple of months and it still shines up a treat!