Her Majesty's DBS Update: Blocking Video
Gebruder Gumbold
San FranciscoPosts: 541MI6 Agent
Hello All,
I have shipped Her Majesty's DBS from California to Wisconsin to this blocking specialist whom I have a relationship with as a rep for his blocking tools. His work is so good, that I asked him if he would accept a private commission, and he enthusiastically accepted- and off she went...from 68 degree Ca to 8 degree Wisc...
This is the furthest that she shall venture in many years.
Next stop: Linear Blocking Tools Workshop!
The reason that this step is so very critical in any restoration shall become quite clear in the video below. All of the great metalwork is done, and now the chef puts the finishing touches on the cake. You will see the artistry of Colten, and learn a great deal about the particular lines of this beautiful William Towns design.
Here are a few tidbits: The job of block sanding, or blocking this car is in the range of 200-225 hours. Shops in Ca charge $150-175 per hour, and the Pebble Beach snobs charge upwards of $200. At $150/hr x 200= $30K. Shop rate in Wisc- for better work, mind you, is $65/hr x 200= $13K. Add $4600 RT transport, and there is now money left in the double declining coffers for a spot of paint...
Next time there will be a discussion on the paint formulas and type. All fascinating topics, so stay tuned...
Cheers, Tom
Comments
Further photos reveal the body lines beginning to sharpen up, and become more pronounced.
This shot shows the lines really beginning to pop!
My Sharknose even gets a very thin skim coat with the finish glaze! As perfect as I thought it was, there still will be filler.... Top tip: each and every batch of filler is weighed out on a paint scale, ensuring a consistent and correct mix. Ask you local body shop if they do that....
Next step is another full prime after my block sanding guru is happy with his lines. Then, another round of block sanding with 240 grit, re-prime, and on to 320 grit final prep.
Let's chat for a moment about filler. I have been honest with everyone in the building of this car- in that many in the business hide or disguise the fact that there is filler on EVERY Aston, Ferrari, etc. The old "Our cars are all metal finished at the factory" is a half truth. They are indeed metal finished, often with lead as the filler. It is still filler! Then a fill coat of polyurethane was applied in very thick coats. Still filler! At no point on this car is there more than 1/16" of filler on the panels, and in the divots of near the side gills, there is slightly more, as there were some grooves from the die grinder. I have stood at Pebble Beach and listened to sermon after sermon of owners and some restorers claim that their cars have no filler on them. Of course, that is what they were told! "Take off the lipstick, and they all have warts,"- Bill Harrah
Hope you all enjoy the journey.
Cheers, Tom
Just added!
Another video from Linear Blocking Tools, explaining a great deal about primers and his process to ensure a long lasting paint job.
Enjoy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jct-vODgETw