Tuesday 17th - A variety of things

Another lovely day and it is predicted there is more to follow. 

That sky is incredible.

We are nearly there with the prep work on the Cotswold side of SO 4798. Richard, myself and David spent some time finishing the flatting back of the base coat of paint.

There are always more bits for topping up, no matter how hard you work to eliminate them. But you have to draw the line somewhere if you want to get the coach painted and back out.

With his efforts on the Cotswold side finished, David moves back to the Malvern side. Large areas of filler show where the body side isn't smooth.

Ian worked on both ends again, cleaning up round the buffers and headstocks. Lots of painting to do here, on the solebar, and various bits underneath, but it's too early to begin any of that.

There seems to be a jinx with the "Cotswold side south door" as on this coach, RMB 1876, CK 16221, and I'm sure there's another, all have had problems. Richard put a lot of effort into finishing off the general cleaning up of the door sides and frame, but on Wednesday Rod found that a repeat of the wet paint test still indicated that several areas were still not completely clear.

Cheers all round as we are at last able to begin taping up the line positions. Richard uses our lining out tool to ensure the correct position of the top line. Get the bottom line done next and we can  begin livery undercoating on this side.

Maurice undercoats all the new nuts and bolts on this side of the Mink D van.

Newly top coated stepboards for the Mink D.

Keith had any number of items to tackle on the trestle tables, beginning with the signboard destined for a parking issue at Toddington. The black gloss centre is the priority as it needs to be made ready for Alex to signwrite on Saturday.

The connection top sections in the foreground are being sanded by me to remove raised bits caused by the wood primer. This will be followed by Dark Grey undercoat.

Keith black glosses the undercoated buffer saddles. Not sure what the now white top coated item in the foreground is for. In the background the door panel has had a second coat of varnish.

The plaques prepared by Jim have now been given a coat of varnish.

Finally the trestle being top coated in GW Brown is being prepared for a skip notice. The notice board has been prepared and now top coated in Warning Yellow.

Dave is assisting our Upholstery team by extracting the staples from more seating components that need the moquette tightened.