[Stanher]

Originally Posted by basky

Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! Happy New Year

A year later, we are still waiting. When will the suspense end? This is turning out to be worse than an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

Thanks and HNY 2012 to you too!

Just a month more!! Watch out, this will turn out to be the next kolaveri!!

Meanwhile, here's an 'ornament' just arrived for CAN in the post today!

To be fitted on the front grille.

[basky]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Meanwhile, here's an 'ornament' just arrived for CAN in the post today!

Looks very attractive, but which AA's badge is this now? Am out of touch.
May also have to chain it down to the chassis to prevent it from being swiped. Maybe its better to rivet it to a backing plate.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by basky

Looks very attractive, but which AA's badge is this now? Am out of touch.
May also have to chain it down to the chassis to prevent it from being swiped. Maybe its better to rivet it to a backing plate.

Well actually it was mentioned by the seller on ebay to belong to COMMERCIAL vehicles back then. Actually this one happens to be a repro. Anyways, I liked it because it matches the colour of my car! So decided to buy it!

And I must say it does look very good on her!

OK, now for the surprise I'd been mentioning in my previous posts- you will find it in one of the local car mags this month's issue!

And a brief update- some of you may already have known about my fitting this door mirror on CAN. And it seems to suit her well!

Also done an oil change with a NEW oil filter, courtesy ebay UK. And a left front hub replacement so the wheel moves more freely and is in balance now. The new oil also makes her fly on the roads! My mechanic has been in awe of the engine- he says he never ever came across a Herald that still has the engine so good, they would always be slightly weak in compression until the point that they had to be rebored. I really must admire the late PO for this!

And post the 26th Jan rally, I decided to do something about the paintjob on the roof. If you've gone through the initial part of the thread, the existing paint on the roof had unfortunately become ruined due to a blunder by one of the garage guys, so I had to get a repaint only for the roof done in the same colour.
BUT I've been noticing that ever since CAN had her first public appearance last year's R-day (which is one of the few occasions the car's been out in the sun) the paint on the roof has been bubbling and cracking in a few places, plus the finish was not at all good for that matter!!

When I talked to the painter about this, I was told that this is common in cases of overcoats as the "lappam" (the paste/putty?) and the old paint underneath start erupting below the new coat, whic his all the more if the car is placed out in the sun for long/often.

So the only solution to this was to scrape off the old paint from the roof entirely and get her a completely fresh paint job. But for this, I was not willing to go for DUCO again and the painter also pointed out that it wouldnt make sense to go for 2k only for the roof as it'd outshine the paint on the rest of the car.

So I came across one idea where I could give just an overcoat but using a non-glossy paint where the cracks/bubbles wouldnt show up as much as on normal paints. Hence I decided to experiment with MATT-BLACK only for the roof.

Now this was a common colour combo for Heralds in the past (though definitely not a factory option) Incidentally, in the 70s movie 'Pati Patni aur Woh', Sanjeev Kumar drives a Herald in a similar colour combo, but nowhere in as good condition!

So here is CAN now- with her new black 'top'. 'reminds me of a red saree/black blouse combo!

Bracing myself as I reckon this will bring out mixed reactions!

BUT, I intend to revert to the full RED, with a white stripe on the sides (set on 2k) when I get CAN FULLY done up, ie. PROPERLY repainted.

[samsag12]

Hmm.. so the surprise rather suspense finally unfolded exactly after a month. CAN's looking nice with the black roof, somewhat like a convertible. Finish seems super smooth. Congrats on making it to the local Auto Magazine, mind sharing the name. BTW i just love those heat stamped seat covers, looks totally period.
Would appreciate if you could click some pics of the car in the open.

Shyam bhai is there any possibility of procuring a AA badge locally.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by samsag12

Would appreciate if you could click some pics of the car in the open.

Shyam bhai is there any possibility of procuring a AA badge locally.

Yes, will do once she comes home!

Well I would seriously doubt if you could get one locally! The garage guys tell me there was a time when they were available in droves here but many owners would not want them on their cars (unless they were AA members) and even had them remove and throw them away in trash! :(

[basky]

Originally Posted by Stanher

belong to COMMERCIAL vehicles back then. this one happens to be a repro. I liked it because it matches the colour of my car! So decided to buy it! And I must say it does look very good on her!

Good Buy

Originally Posted by Stanher

OK, now for the surprise I'd been mentioning in my previous posts- you will find it in one of the local car mags this month's issue!

Please share the article as a PDF if it is local, else give us the details so that we can buy a copy.

Originally Posted by Stanher

the paint on the roof has been bubbling and cracking in a few places,

When I talked to the painter about this, I was told that this is common in cases of overcoats as the "lappam" (the paste/putty?) and the old paint underneath start erupting below the new coat,

I was not willing to go for DUCO again and the painter also pointed out that it wouldnt make sense to go for 2k only for the roof as it'd outshine the paint on the rest of the car.
BUT, I intend to revert to the full RED, with a white stripe on the sides (set on 2k) when I get CAN FULLY done up, ie. PROPERLY repainted.

The Blouse and sari match, but as you said single colour is more authentic.

NC paints have this problem of lifting previous coats of paint because of the large quantity of solvent (around 200%) used. Important not to seal off the paint surface by waxing for at least 3 weeks to allow trapped solvents to escape or it will remain entrapped, work on and bubble up the paint & under layers.

Low cost option would be to use Alkyd paints like ICI's ASPA or get even better coverage with Nippon paint. At just around Rs 300/liter it is a steal and with a good finish. Alkyds use very little thinner (around 25%). 2K is ideal for a full job starting from bare metal.

In any case, to get top level finish, get a good detailer to work on your car at least a month after painting. You will see the difference and showcase all the hard work you have put in. I would have loved to do it for you but am just too far away.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by basky

Please share the article as a PDF if it is local, else give us the details so that we can buy a copy.

Well I guess its ok to let the cat out of the bag now- look for this month's issue of AUTO INDIA.

Low cost option would be to use Alkyd paints like ICI's ASPA or get even better coverage with Nippon paint.

ASPA?? You mean the paint that they paint scooters with?? Isnt the finish on that terrible??! Surely not suitable for cars!

In any case, to get top level finish, get a good detailer to work on your car at least a month after painting. You will see the difference and showcase all the hard work you have put in. I would have loved to do it for you but am just too far away.

Yes I do agree. I'm trying to get knowledge on some DIY detailing just in case. But as of now, no time hence I'm not getting into any repaint job.

[basky]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Well I guess its ok to let the cat out of the bag now- look for this month's issue of AUTO INDIA.

Thanks. would have missed it otherwise.

Originally Posted by Stanher

ASPA?? You mean the paint that they paint scooters with?? Isnt the finish on that terrible??! Surely not suitable for cars!

Used mostly on commercial vehicles as it is a thick durable coat and has a reasonable sheen. Dirt cheap too.

The trick is simply to cut down with fine waterpaper, 600 to 1500 and then use an orbital sander and hard, medium and fine cutting compounds. Then polish, seal, glaze and wax. The finish you get will rival NC with better durability. Just make sure it is done about 2 weeks after the paint job.

Originally Posted by Stanher

I'm trying to get knowledge on some DIY detailing just in case. But as of now, no time hence I'm not getting into any repaint job.

To do well, it is a specialist field by itself and may not leave you enough time to do restorations - which is a tougher proposition anyway. Outsource it - See if you can get someone who pays attention to detail who can do it for you there.

[samsag12]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Yes, will do once she comes home!

Well I would seriously doubt if you could get one locally! The garage guys tell me there was a time when they were available in droves here but many owners would not want them on their cars (unless they were AA members) and even had them remove and throw them away in trash! :(

Will be eagerly waiting for the same. Thanks for updating me on the situation of AA badge, it seems am gonna have hard time finding it here. :(

[KPS]

Just received the Auto India at home and saw the article written by Rehan Conyers,

Shyam the car is looking great freshly polished. Wish you had hidden the wires dangling under the dash, anyway it a small thing.

Congrats to you. Well done

Cheers

KPS

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by samsag12

Will be eagerly waiting for the same. :(

Well, here are a couple of CAN in its Kaala-veri!

Second pic.'s a mobile pic., sorry!





And sorry again, these are the only ones I took today! Just before we left for home after some minor electrical work. 'was too tired to take any more (had to log in at 6:30am today at work! )
Hopefully more by this weekend.

Originally Posted by KPS

Just received the Auto India at home and saw the article written by Rehan Conyers,

Shyam the car is looking great freshly polished. Wish you had hidden the wires dangling under the dash, anyway it a small thing.

Congrats to you. Well done

I'm glad you liked it! Yes my friend Rehan sure did a fantastic job with the pics. and write-up, which is amazing for a teenager his age. IMHO, the article really didnt do justice to the kid's creativity with pics.! There were some fab ones he'd taken that unfortunately werent selected for the article. Also we'd thought up the title as "Hark the Herald", which would've really been far more catchy! But that wasnt chosen by the mag either, which is another thing I'm not very happy about.

But on the whole, I'm appreciative of the fact that an INDIAN car mag decided to do an article about the Herald, which hardly any I'm sure had thought of in ages!

I hope some others follow suit in the near future, so that I'd have a chance- again......!

And yes, I did notice those wires dangling from under the dash- belonged to a non-period radio that the PO had fitted and I removed. Ironically they werent removed even today, when the car was at an electrician's for some minor work!

Or maybe they might remain for a period radio that's on the way- but not sure how long until one reaches me!

[SuperSelect]

Hey Shyam - first and foremost, heartiest congratulations of CAN being featured in the 'Auto India'. I was beside myself with joy, running around showing the article and pictures to family and friends.

The matt black roof is looking very nice and eye-catching. With combo like this, the car will be spotted from a mile away !!

How easy / difficult is a matt black roof to maintain ? I mean from dust showing on it, scratches that appear while cleaning (when careless cleaners run a wet cloth directly on a dusty surface), bird droppings etc ? Only time will tell, I guess..

But great job !!

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by SuperSelect

How easy / difficult is a matt black roof to maintain ? I mean from dust showing on it, scratches that appear while cleaning (when careless cleaners run a wet cloth directly on a dusty surface), bird droppings etc ? Only time will tell, I guess..

I sure will have the oppurtunity(?) to find out from now on I guess!

'hope its not going to require as vigorous maintenance as normal glossy black though.

[manishalive]

Shyam,

Finally today was able to get my issue of Auto India, I could care less of any article, finally page 84 was what I was looking for. I love your car even more now. Why don't you have the old number plates for these shoot out, it will enhance the wow Factor.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by manishalive

Why don't you have the old number plates for these shoot out, it will enhance the wow Factor.

By old number plates do you mean the Black with white lettering?? I do wish I could. But wouldnt want to take a chance with the TP, what with them randomly stopping even people who follow traffic rules on pretext of checking for RC/Licence etc. these days!