The Canberra Day long weekend saw the cancellation of the social run to Molonglo Gorge, in preference to a Club working bee. Due to Saturday chores and commitments, the 9:30am start became a staggered start from 9:30am through to 3pm in the afternoon.
First of the ranks was Mike and Amanda’s TA Torana, with ample wet and dry supplies on hand the chore of sanding the car back began in earnest. A lovely dent in the front guard provided the opportunity for Pat to try his panel beating skills. Must have been beginners luck, because it came out nice and straight. After some gentle coaxing, the doors were removed, and you guessed it, the last pin was the most stubborn, requiring us to take it in shifts to remove the sucker, with just about every tool and implement available in the tool box.
By around 4:00pm, I think, it was time to warm up the spray gun, and apply the primer, followed by the guide coat. Luckily, Amanda’s neighbour, a painter by trade, dropped past, and adjusted the paint mix to spot on.
Sunday, the TA was moved out onto the front lawn to cure. Which allowed us to dismantle Phil’s car in preparation for rubbing back the old primer, in preparation for a new primer coat, and guide coat, which had to be done on the Monday. Phil’s car came up a treat. We thought the old primer was good, but the new primer coat is better.
Laurie proved that it is possible to smoke up the tires on a TA as we moved the cars back into the shed.
I think next time we do this, we’ll limit it to one car at a time, as two was a bit over the top.
By Monday night, I’m sure that Mike, Amanda, and Nathan were happy to have their shed and house back to themselves and the neighbours sighed a huge sigh of relief.

Special thanks for the following club members for their attendance at various times and shifts across the weekend:-
Mike, Amanda, and Nathan
Phil and Madison
Vish
Laurie
Pat and Ainslie
Lj, Alan and Jan (Alan and Jan bought food at a critical time – dinner time)
Amanda’s next door neighbour that got our paint mix right.
Keep you eyes open for the final coats, coming shortly.

© Copyright 2003 Canberra Torana Club.