I've managed to get some new paint onto the old girl, just the main part of the cab for now and the grill, it's my first experiment with two pack paint and I'm impressed - two coats easily does the job and it's dry to the touch very quickly. There's just a bit of work to do with the polishing mop here and there but I'll wait for it to harden a bit more first. It needs the black bits on the mudguards etc doing then it's complete.

Found another use for the mini digger today - lifting the Diesel tank from it and carrying it to the workshop for painting

Here's a few pictures of it catching today's bright sunlight for the old timers amongst us!

looking smart Julian

How about some before pictures for comparison

Dave

Here's one taken a few months back. The picture doesn't really show how poor the paint was, it was a real DIY job with runs all over the show - looked OK from a distance but poor close up.

I've removed the rotating beacons. The roof and grill that had previously been brush painted in aluminium coloured paint and looked poor in my opinion have now been refinished in green and black.

I've just noticed that the battery cover needs putting back on - missed that today!

Julian.

Looks good Are you going to paint the trailer as well

Steve

Yes, hopefully. I can't get the trailer undercover so It needs doing on a nice dry summer day, hopefully the two pack paint will be helpful because a dry day will see it cure and harden enough to survive a nighttime dew without marking the finish.

Julian.

Will you keep it red - i think it goes well with the green of the unit

Steve

Oh yes, that way if I miss a few bits it won't look too bad

It's a King trailer so am I right to think that it would have left the factory (30 years ago) red?

The Donkey engine on the back platform was a Ducati 3000rpm Diesel that started via a rope and was an absolute swine to start when cold, so I replaced it with a 1500rpm Lister single cylinder that is much easier to start. I resprayed the engine frame, oil tank and pump in a red Massey Ferguson paint that I had to hand and I think the colour is OK. If I can't find the proper shade of paint that King used I think I'll just go for the old Massey Fergy red colour.....

Julian.

I did a little video clip of the Rolls Eagle engine starting at about 0 degrees today, lots of lovely clag like a Gardner, but cleans up to nothing after a mile or two down the road. So much better than all these new Diesels which start instantly and never emit so much as a whiff of smoke I just wish I could have found a few tree huggers to watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lCOCywfiOQ

Julian.