Bodywork Session 3 - Day 2 - Front wheel arches

Day two of our third session on CRG163’s bodywork.

Our aim today was to remove the large panels around both front wheel arches, more screws and brightwork, and the panel under the driver’s cab and water cap surround including deteriorated wood.

The nearside front wheel arch panel begins to be removed.

Another view of CRG163’s nearside front wheel arch panel as it is being removed.  CRG163’s nearside fleet plate is also removed in preparation for painting.  This will be added back to CRG163 once painted.

After sanding CRG163’s structure behind the nearside front wheel arch, I then use a wire brush.

CRG163 with nearside front wheel arch panel removed.  The section has now been sanded in preparation for new wood and refitting of the panel.

Another angle of CRG163’s nearside front wheel with wheel arch panel removed and pillars sanded.

CRG163’s wheel arch is treated in preparation for refitting the wheel arch panel. 

CRG163’s nearside front wheel arch receiving treatment in preparation for refitting.

The rear of two double panels that were in place on CRG163’s waist as the original panels and illuminated apertures remained hidden.  As can be seen, the original apertures have left an imprint on the rear of the outer double panels.

Sion can be seen carefully and meticulously removing CRG163’s offside fromt wheel arch bright work.

CRG163 is seen with the offside front wheel arch removed.

Sion takes a photograph of me as I painstakingly try and locate body screws behind the white paint so that they are freed for removal.  This has been a labour intensive exercise that cannot be rushed across the whole of CRG163.

A closer image as screw locations are discovered under the white paint and freed for removal.  This ha been an extremely long process that simply cannot be rushed as each screw across CRG163’s panels and bodywork are carefully removed.

We move onto the panelling under the driver’s cab window.  Unfortunately more wood has deteriorated under panels, resulting in their removal, especially around CRG163’s water inlet. 

The offside of CRG163 with panels now removed.  CRG163’s offside fleet plate is also removed in preparation for painting.  At this stage we are unable to refit the centre panels until the fuel cap collar and long locker body strut have been remedied and fitted.