Back again, haven't given up yet, well only just beginning.
After a long cold winter here in Tassie it has been good to welcome the sun back. Problem is the grass and weeds have been even more appreciative and have commenced jumping out of the ground with joy. Which has necessitated some harsh action. So I have been pe-occupied with taming the green monster known as my garden.
That beasty is now in some shape so my thoughts turned to my mimesis Tina. Nah she isn't that bad, well read on.
To date I have the motor in the shop and on call some time in the next year or so, when the guy gets spare time/ manpower; @ mates rates .
Gearbox is farmed out on same basis, to a mates brother who happens to like that intricate nonsense.
A couple of weeks back decided it was time to paint the engine bay that has been covered for the last 9 months waiting an opportunity and a still day. Still days are as rare as rust free bumperettes where I live. Temp in the early twenties, water on the river as still as a mill pond.
I have a touch up gun and thought perhaps since this would be a small job that would be adequate for the surface area. So mixed up the paint. First hurdle someone had been into my shed and my mixing beaker was missing but I thought I had the quantities worked out so mixed up the paint - acrylic not looking to have a show car just a nice everyday driver-
Paint mixed loaded the gun and began setting fan etc- Boy am I rusty just couldn't set the flow . Not sure why, probably it is a new gun and unfamiliar where the settings are. I am sure those of you who paint a bit know what I am talking about. The paint slips off the mixing tool in a certain way. You slap everything together and a turn here or there and Bobs your uncle fannies your aunt jobs done . There is a sweet spot and you know when you have re-constructed it each and every time.
This time things just weren't jellying - either too much air pressure or Paint too thin. Frustrated I swapped to my newish spray gun and re-mixed the paint.
Temper rising I sort of dropped rapidly dropped the toch up gun into the wash dish and splashed wash-up thinners all over the bench. Mostly into the milky cup of coffee Mrs T insists is required ever time you use paint. Remember the old wives tale about milk linning the stomach. Well I have the old wife.... her brother was some sort of panelbeater once.
Back to the test panel, a cardboard pallet layer board stood up against the wall. Set the gun and slapped on a coat. Took a quick look and the surface would have done any type of citrus proud not just orange peel but a whole spectrum of little pitty things.
Was a little upset and wasn't watching as I walked passed the compressor to empty the gun and wash up I snapped the hose fitting off clean and that was the end of painting for the day. Bugger.
Some time in the next week I replaced that, luckily had spare parts on hand as I was going to plumb the compressor permanently into the rear of the shed so I could access the hose to pump up the tractor tire without dragging hoses around.
Waited until this weekend and sanded the whole thing back. Not to metal but just for a little tooth and re-sprayed it this time with the gun only and mixed the paint according to the instructions using the transparent beaker.
Turned out ok
My budget only works if I paint the car myself and now I am beginning to get nervous about my ability to deliver. Time will tell I guess
) 
