10 years old and needing a refresh
10 years old and needing a refresh
After 29k miles of UK roads (and the odd track day) the frame of my Atom 2 300 was getting badly eroded. The engine bay was particularly bad and forward facing areas at the front were also heavily marked.
Having decided to get it recoated I took the opportunity to have a colour change. I had been impressed with Northnobel’s candy apple vinyl and found a powder-based equivalent.
The strip down was straightforward - I took lots of pics and labelled most things.
My bro-in-law worked at GKN and said they could blast and recoat for me ‘on the side’
Having decided to get it recoated I took the opportunity to have a colour change. I had been impressed with Northnobel’s candy apple vinyl and found a powder-based equivalent.
The strip down was straightforward - I took lots of pics and labelled most things.
My bro-in-law worked at GKN and said they could blast and recoat for me ‘on the side’
Last edited by smokin on Tue Jan 12, 2016 3:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Unfortunately the guy and kit at GKN weren’t up to the task. The candy apple is two powders, a chrome with a red tinted topcoat. Multiple coats and tints are tricky, voltages need to be dialled down and flow rates adjusted.
98% of the finish was great but a lot of the remaining 2% were in very visible areas like the hoop.
I decided to chemically strip and shot blast myself, a decision I regularly regretted.
98% of the finish was great but a lot of the remaining 2% were in very visible areas like the hoop.
I decided to chemically strip and shot blast myself, a decision I regularly regretted.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
I found a local firm that had handled similar requirements and seemed to know what they were doing. For whatever reason they dragged their feet, and three months after initial contact the frame was still handing in my garage.
After more searches I found another firm with good credentials and significant customers. Within two weeks it was done. Very happy with the result.
I suspended the frame for easier access and moved to axle stands once the work under the car was complete.
After more searches I found another firm with good credentials and significant customers. Within two weeks it was done. Very happy with the result.
I suspended the frame for easier access and moved to axle stands once the work under the car was complete.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
I loathe bare aluminium so had those parts powder coated in 25% matt black.
Started with the front and rear bulkheads. Instead of clear silicone sealant I used a thin neoprene self-adhesive strip between the bulkheads and frame. I used black dome head rivets to secure, having squirted wax oil into the frame to catch rivet heads etc.
Already liking the red/black contrast
Started with the front and rear bulkheads. Instead of clear silicone sealant I used a thin neoprene self-adhesive strip between the bulkheads and frame. I used black dome head rivets to secure, having squirted wax oil into the frame to catch rivet heads etc.
Already liking the red/black contrast
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
The tub had seen better days, and having previously used plasti-dip for my seat, I rubbed down the tub to key the surface and sprayed.
I routed the rear brake / clutch lines and the throttle cable before fitting the tub. I invested in the slickshift kit and installed that next.
I routed the rear brake / clutch lines and the throttle cable before fitting the tub. I invested in the slickshift kit and installed that next.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Mounted the ECU and master cut-off carrier. Needed to drill out the coating for the countersunk rivets as the cut-off resistor grounds through the carrier to the frame.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Fitted new steering bushes, handbrake cable mount and harness eyelets with anti-rattle grommets. I have added extenders so the lap and anti-sub belts have their own eyelet.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
The aluminium coolant pipes had been chaffed by the crest of my drive so I have used silicone tube to protect. Sprayed black as I don’t like bare aluminium.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Installed the fuse box and made sure of a good ground. Ran the rear harness down the tunnel and tethered.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Fitted the fuel tank having covered in vinyl and trimmed with rubber. Would have been marginally easier to fit first but with no engine in the way it wasn’t a problem.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Routed the dash and master cut-off wiring and secured to frame using figure-of-eight cable ties to keep cables and frame chafe free.
Mounted the master cut-off and grounded resistor to carrier.
I had removed most of the dash switches leaving them connected to the loom. Refitting was straightforward as a result.
Mounted the master cut-off and grounded resistor to carrier.
I had removed most of the dash switches leaving them connected to the loom. Refitting was straightforward as a result.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Steering rack secured to frame. Mounts powder-coated (I hate bare aluminium). I taped the ends to mark lock nut position so alignment will be there, or there-about. Steering column refitted having been sprayed
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Pedal box cleaned up and remounted. Remote bias connected. Reservoirs cleaned and mounted.
Picked out some detail on the pedals in matt black for some extra bling
Picked out some detail on the pedals in matt black for some extra bling
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
Unions cleaned up, new crush washers installed and banjos refitted. (bleed screws also cleaned up after picture).
Front brake line secured in bulk head and Y section refitted on the other side.
Front brake line secured in bulk head and Y section refitted on the other side.
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
Re: 10 years old and needing a refresh
New horn fitted to maintain colour scheme. Bell cranks installed all-round and front dampers mounted. Blanking grommets used to cover bell crank tube
Atom 2 300, Ginetta G40 GT5 - UK
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