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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 19, 2014 23:45:10 GMT -5
I have just picked up this Bradley and will be starting the restore here soon. I will have to make a new gull wing by way of a heat box and a complete new interior with racing seats foe better confront. the Wife wants a bright green so that is what it will be. I will post pics along the way. It will be a complete rebuild from the frame up. I am open to ant and all comments and suggestions to save me time and money. This should be fun. Dan    |
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Post by jspbtown on Jan 20, 2014 9:22:14 GMT -5
Looks like a great starting point.
I will be interested to hear/see your process for making stock styled doors. Many, many, many have tried and all have failed.
And one tip...when thinking about seats you will need to pay very close attention to the width and the overall height of the seat base and back. Stuffing a stock "racing" style seat in there will normally be way too high and the amount of recline you will need will make driving uncomfortable.
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 20, 2014 12:10:51 GMT -5
Welcome to the "Bradley Family". There is a TON of information and pictures available on this site, just type in the "Search" box the topic. Here is another website that I reviewed to get some ideas in the past: mysite.verizon.net/bobthagard1/car/pandrop.htmlWhen you take the body off the frame, you might consider lifting it up an inch or two. I've seen everything from square metal tubing to outdoor porch decking material. Keep sending pictures of your build and don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck. TIM |
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 22, 2014 15:03:54 GMT -5
Texas that site address does not work
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 22, 2014 16:06:08 GMT -5
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Post by Roodog on Jan 22, 2014 16:20:46 GMT -5
www.chadsbradley.co.nrFunny it worked for me as well. This is the sight where I got my info on my pan drop to. Alot of great info here! Your jell coat looks to be in really good shape to. Some where on this sight someone had some good products for buffing it out and pull it out of the faded look on top but green is cool to. Some one has a sight that has cool pearls, chameleon colors and flakes for cheep for your paint as well. If I see it I will post it to you. Have fun!
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 22, 2014 18:36:57 GMT -5
Chad,
I didn't think to add your web page earlier. I'm glad that you did. You illustrated a lot of really good ideas for those of us who are still building one of these things. Thanks,
TIM
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 23, 2014 11:10:05 GMT -5
Hell IDK it works for me now as well go figure.
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 23, 2014 11:12:13 GMT -5
Yes Chad that information would be great to have thanks.
Dan
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 23, 2014 11:25:59 GMT -5
Chad great site and love the door frames. I will build a heat box and form the new gull wings in the same manner i form my aircraft canopy's. I will use the one good wing to make the box to fit the plexi and find the bend point for contact. I will post pics of the box so all can see how I will make them when it comes time to do that. I really like those frames and think it would be a great idea to do those to these as well and will also ensure a tight fit for the seals.
I am sure this will be a fun project, just love building things but this one will fly on the road and not in the air.
Dan
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Post by jspbtown on Jan 23, 2014 11:44:12 GMT -5
If you can build doors that easily ( and maybe cost effectively??) you can have a nice side job selling them on this site. I would assume that after you have everything rigged up then producing multiple copies should be easy.
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 23, 2014 15:34:03 GMT -5
Well I find that making a canopy is not that big of a deal so I am not expecting these to be either. that still remains to be seen however. Plexy bends real easy when it get heated and as long as your first contact point is in the right place as it heats it will bend from its own weight and form to the shape of the mold. I do not expect to go into business making the gull wings but if they turn out well I would remake a set now and then.
Dan
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Post by Roodog on Jan 23, 2014 16:43:38 GMT -5
www.chadsbradley.co.nrI have thought about making my own tops as well but it comes down to the mold..? What do you make it out of? I tried to bend a piece over the top of the gull wing that I have but could not seem to keep the heat across the whole piece. Some places were to hot and bubbling and some were to cold and not doing anything. It for sure was not bending on its own. There was 65 bucks gone. Idk ray is getting tired and some one needs to start making these things. To many of us need them.
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 23, 2014 18:15:34 GMT -5
Dan McGee,
You will have to show us how you make this "box" complete with pictures. I'm guessing that it will be inside an oven and heated? If so, what temperature would need to be obtained? You've got my curiosity up. Time for me to do some research....
TIM
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 24, 2014 9:02:57 GMT -5
Well curiosity is a good thing. However, no it is not inside an oven you could do this in the garage or even outside on a warm sunny day. I would not do it when it is very cold outside unless you have a heated garage. The box is heated from the inside and the plexy lays in contact on the outside. As the plexy warms up from contact with the box, it will begin to bend slowing into the shape under its own weight. This will allow the plaxy to bend without distortion areas from bending to quickly and from too much heat.
I most certainly will post pics of the box and how it is made. Let me make a set and work out all the details them I will provide the information to all that want to make their own or a few of us can be able to make as many as everyone will ever need. This can be done with tinted or clear. When i make my box to work out the details I will be using clear because that is what is available at home depot. I will then determine the right size for a blank and order the tinted stuff for the final form.
Dan
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Post by jspbtown on Jan 24, 2014 9:22:19 GMT -5
Can't wait to see this happen. So many people have tried and so far no success so it would be great if it is really this simple. It would really be great to have new access to a problem for so many people.
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 24, 2014 11:57:43 GMT -5
I've been searching the web for some "How To" information and found some interesting information. One guy used a torch, but caused it to flare up which resulted in tiny air bubbles. One guy took a hair drier heating element and staightened it out and mounted it on a board covered with foil. He used blocks to hold the plexi up over the hot coil. He kept flipping it over to warm both sides. Then, he bent it and secured it in the window opening to hold the right angle. Another guy baked it in his oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. He was making a small windshield for a remote control airplane. To get it to curve, he mounted it in a wooden frame and after baking it, he set it over a wooden box and blew air into the box with a shop vac. It domed up like a baloon. It looked good. There is a business down in Freeport, Texas called Specialty Glass & Plastic, Inc. that has been known to make unique plexi type items for cars and boats. Here is their website: Specialty Glass & Plastic, Inc.TIM |
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Post by Big-birds-ride on Jan 24, 2014 12:24:30 GMT -5
I sure hope this attempt is a success, it would be great to have a successful source of information on how to make the doors for the GT in a garage. Good luck and I really hope this works out. Sounds like you have the knowledge to make this happen.
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 24, 2014 13:48:40 GMT -5
After thinking about this and looking at several pics of the gull wings I do not think a heat box will even be required. It should be able to just make the one bend with the use of a heat gun while being careful not to heat the Plexiglas to much in one place or too fast. This would keep it from bubbling or distorting when bent.
I have read that they are not all the same size gull wings but the same kits, how can that be? I would have to assume the kit body’s were formed in the same molds so should have the same shape and size. If that is not the case, I will flatten out the broken gull wing and make a pattern. It could be used for both sides just flip the Plexiglas over and bend so they are mirror images of each other. The pattern I guess could be 1 inch larger than the glass size so it could be fitted to any car.
I have an old sheet of Plexiglas at the house I will give it a try and find out what the best method to make them will be and then post the instructions on how to, DIY your own gull wing doors.
Dan
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 24, 2014 13:53:23 GMT -5
Hey by the way what is the stuff you would use to get rid of the fadded look of the paint, I am up for trying to save the original paint job if possible.
Dan
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Post by jspbtown on Jan 24, 2014 14:29:15 GMT -5
The original finish would be gelcoat not paint. If it the original gel coat then any good polish/finish restorer for boats will work.
The gulls are in essence the same for all years. However as molds aged, and the lay-up procedure varied, the dimensions became variable. The only current (on & off) source is Sun Ray and they make them oversized so they can be fit to each car.
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Post by TexasIceMan on Jan 24, 2014 15:50:32 GMT -5
The topic of a fadded finish came up last year around October in a thread call "School Project" (Page 1). MPM offered the following:
[MPM] "Here is a product to restore your gel coat & it will bring back the shine. I have used the Vertaglas put not the replacement kit check it out before sanding or buffing."
He gave us a hyperlink to a website called marinestore.com, but their server appears to be down right now because the link can't be found.
Skip suggested lightly sanding and buffing the finish.
If I recall correctly, Dan McMillan contributed some advise, too. He has been quiet here lately...he must be hiding in his igloo. hehehe
TIM
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Post by Roodog on Jan 25, 2014 11:09:44 GMT -5
www.chadsbradley.co.nrI found that sight for pearls as well if you are thinking of green to. They have some cool demonstrations on there to. www.paintwithpearl.com/ Thanks Tim for looking up the Thread, I couldn't remember where the restore info was. Trying to think but nothing is happening. 
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 25, 2014 12:38:00 GMT -5
I ordered some Maguire's Marine & RV Fiberglass Restoration System and lets see what it will do. If the results are real good I will try some 3M imperial compound to cut it a bit better then retry and see what happens. If it does not work well no fuss I was going to paint anyway right.
On a side note what is the best way to contact Jeff troy I purchased his disk but it is unreadable and now can't contact him. sent him a message here but no reply. I am sure all he needs to know is the disk is bad and he will resend one asap I'm sure.
Dan
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 29, 2014 21:21:35 GMT -5
Polish is here and I will try and get the car in the garage this weekend and get a door made.
Also still trying to get in touch with Jeff troy over this bad disk, if anyone knows him put a bug in his ear I need another disk, I am sure he did not know the disk was bad.
Dan
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Post by Jeff Troy on Jan 30, 2014 0:36:05 GMT -5
Hi, Guys,
Just a point about GT gulls, fastback and Sundowner rear windows...
Ray Tierney's oversize Plexiglas parts are not unique to his products. Bradley Plexiglas gulls and rears were manufactured oversize by design, and ALL producers of these parts have cut them to Bradley's design specifications.
Cutting the parts down to fit each individual car was part of the assembly process, and the procedure is explained in certain editions of the assembly manual.
The original Plexiglas parts shipped by Bradley Automotive were oversize, and each piece carried a D.O.T. stamp. When Bradley went out of business, the same original Plexiglas parts were made available by Allied Plastics. These were also oversize, and some carried the D.O.T. stamp.
Ray Tierney (Sun Ray) built many of the turnkey cars for Bradley, and also produced Plexiglas parts for the GT after Allied ceased production. He still offers the gulls and rears, although the D.O.T stamp is no longer required and is not present. His parts are oversize because they are supposed to be oversize.
Warmest regards...
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Post by danmcgee40 on Jan 30, 2014 20:49:35 GMT -5
The oversize Plexiglas made perfect since to me to ensure each fit the particular car it will be put on. Thanks for that information Jeff, also I hope you noticed my comments above I sent you a private massage but any way the disk I received from you is not readable and I would appreciate you sending me another.
I will still get in there and make a door this coming week and post the pics on the process of course. I will now need to find the right type of handle and lock mechanisms for the driver side. I found the top hinges they are regularly used on boats but did not find the handles. I may have to improvise on these a bit. At any rate it is door time yea.
Dan
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Post by Jeff Troy on Feb 2, 2014 17:02:53 GMT -5
Hi, Dan,
Sent you a PM. New CD on the way tomorrow (Monday).
Warmest regards...
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Post by danmcgee40 on Feb 4, 2014 20:36:34 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff, and guys still having weather issues here I will bet the car in the garage this weekend and get some doors made and post pics and instructions.
Dan
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Post by danmcgee40 on Feb 6, 2014 18:27:18 GMT -5
Go the new disk in the mail today from Jeff and he is the man of course. The disk is full of all kinds of great information could not be more happy. I also got the car into the garage today so this weekend I will have some fun with it. Find out what the gelcoat restoring kit does and also make some gull doors. I will also get the car running if that works out to find out what the condition of the engine is.
The fun is beginning. I also have to make a great deal of progress on the plane get the bulkheads in place and riveted, I am behind on the build there as well. the weather has been bad, but flying weather is coming yea!!!
Dan
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