Ford Escort MK1 Restoration. How to Fit Bubble Arches. Sort of ;)

In this episode I show what I've learned from fitting bubble arches to my Escort MK1, and have put together a comprehensive guide.
Throughout the project we will build tools to help us along the way, the custom tools we build, we will upload our how-to videos
👉🏻 Subscribe to our channel ✅: / @davesgarageuk
📽️ Check out our recent Videos: / @davesgarageuk
🛠️By the way: Ade (a.k.a Adrian) also has a KZbin channel where him and his wife are converting a minibus to an off-grid camper: / @sammyadeadventures
#FordEscortMK1Restoration #DavesGarage #SammyAdeAdventures

[@spencereagle1118]

You mentioned the low temperature, Dave. That's possibly the reason the paint is struggling out of the cans. Try standing them in a bucket of hot water, it makes a tremendous difference.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ah, hadn't thought of that, good idea.

[@darrencox1296]

Yep came here to say the same! That will sort your issue. Done it myself many times

[@stevemcilroy9518]

Impressive Dave, great watching you doing repairs in a normal guys garage, ( like most of us) and good solid job also.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Steve, I keep trying to tell my family that I'm normal 😊😊

[@Jim_M_75]

@@DavesGarageuk Haha, just a normal bloke Dave. Steve is spot on though, like Fitzee it's a massive plus to see someone working with the bare minimum of tools and do a cracking job. Gives the average bloke hope.

[@neiljarvis8911]

I think this will be THE go to, comprehensive how to guide to fitting MK 1 works arches. It definately shows the most detail, uses 3 novel techniques, i.e. fitzy's cut' n' but technique, Daves 5' tacks' n' grind (to keep the heat in) technique and also Dave's spanner formed reverse flanged polyeurethane sealed outer wheel tubs. The results are amazing and i bet use 70% less filler than the proffessionals. Great work Dave that episode was a materclass, your best yet.... though the home fabricated rear spring hangers were pretty amazing also.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Neil 😊

[@Jim_M_75]

Nice job Dave, not really the weather to be out in the garage working and making content. I think you've done a cracking job of making an all metal shell, a nice skim of filler and she'll be a minter. Thanks for the upload.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Jim 😊 it was grim in the cold and damp, I've bought one of those diesel heaters everyones raving about, so watch this space 😊

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

Superb work Dave those arches really look beautiful, you know back in the day I never cared for them but boy has that changed . Tough going out there in the cold to I bet but you got it done looks brilliant mate 👌👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you 😊

[@johnhaggerty4257]

A great job as always Dave. An absolute joy to watch.....

[@tonynightingale4400]

Excellent workmanship and results Dave I like the way you think and carry out those thoughts.....😊😊😊😊

[@micktuck5377]

Great video love the longer ones Dave👍🏻 that N/S fitted a lot better without the damage you had on the O/S Coming together nicely now, keep chipping away mate

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Mick 😊

[@tonyneedham548]

Hi dave Great video you said you had the fire lit in the garage in the videa i noticed the fire loks very much like a old gas bottle did you make it or am i mistaken cheers Tony

[@DavesGarageuk]

It is an old gas bottle, put that together during lockdown 😊😊

[@stevehalverson4315]

Love watching your videos mate, I’m your 50 year old remote apprentice 😂 👌🏻

[@DavesGarageuk]

😊😊😊

[@matthewpayne42]

The work you do is amazing, and another great video from you, thanks and keep them coming soon.

[@DavesGarageuk]

That's very kind thanks 😊

[@richardthepainter]

credit to ya nice job that nearly there you will be painting it soon

[@henkhohler8449]

Super goed working this men delivery

[@SebutindeApollo]

Great work for body builder of rally cars

[@enigine]

Quote of the day - "All I want is flange"

[@henkhohler8449]

Nice zie working this men weehry goed

[@russcooke5671]

Not bad. But not a patch on the Retropower escort. Now that’s how you restore a car. Ps. The big arches makes it look like a fat girl in a mini skirt.

[@DavesGarageuk]

I don't have the resources or the skill level that retropower have. But thanks....

[@filippobullittgiardini533]

Please dave: could you remember the brand of those bubbles? Seem to be better desig that common ones

[@DavesGarageuk]

They're from Motorsport Tools

[@larssvensson3875]

Just wanted to say that I love your channel, very interesting stuff! Came over from Fitzee's, which I also enjoy very much, as I know you do too.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Welcome aboard Lars 😊😊

[@endeavour2127]

Algorithm brought me here and I'm glad it did! Great video, you have a new subscriber!👍 Just curious about the tiger seal, obviously it will provide a phenomenal seal in a very critical area but will it be strong enough?

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ah, great, good to know the algorithm is noticing the channel 😊😊. Jury is out on the longevity of the tiger seal, time will tell.

[@cheveredj8435]

Hello Dave absolutely amazing video 👍 I've recently bought a MK1 escort and I'm getting a lot of pointers watching your videos, I'm thinking of doing bubble arches where is the best place to buy them from? Thanks in advance ste from st Helens👍👍🙂

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Ste, this is where I got mine from www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296495243648?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=c3eByFglQNC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=v5ZLVAlZQYe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@cheveredj8435]

@@DavesGarageuk great stuff Dave, thanks for getting back to me and enjoy the rest of your evening👍👍

[@welshtexas1]

Really enjoyed watching this video, it’s given me the confidence to tackle my own project.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Brilliant 😊

[@banalt380]

just found this while watchin youtube on the big tv in the bedroom excellent work your doing need it go back in time and watch some more of your vids 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Welcome 😊😊

[@stephengirling7859]

Really nice work.

[@karlkerkhof7966]

Great stuff as usual dave 👏 did you see the complement russell lord put out on his channel about you . really likes your video

[@DavesGarageuk]

I did, I was blown away, he's a very talented fella!

[@nealthomas5943]

Nice job again Dave and a happy new year to you and mrs Dave 😂👍👍👍

[@robinstewart4729]

nice work dave

[@gsxr713]

That’s a great looking arch very nice transitions I love your channel should have loads more subscribers

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you 😊

[@marty3469]

Fantastic job Dave. While your freezing over there, here in Adelaide it's 38deg , rather warm today !

[@DavesGarageuk]

Lovely 😊

[@michaelwaite6725]

Good idea to put any aerosol spray paint tin in a container with hot water in before use , makes the paint easier to apply .Escort is coming on nicely 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

A couple others have suggested this, ta

[@davesadler7103]

Treat yourself to a set of tipping dies for your bead roller,those, with your shrinker makes curved flanges a doddle,great videos

[@deanc486]

Nice work Dave. "If you build it they will come"😁

[@russcooke5671]

It’s a car not an hotel.

[@mandalorian957]

The way we did it was the tub was welded to the quarter panel then arch welded on we didnt have a massive gap from 1/4 to the tub

[@cherrypicker8897]

Great job, very well done.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jimmoore8943]

Looks a lot better with the bottom corners of the arch tied in dave all the best jim

[@bantampop3532]

👏👏

[@jeff3175]

Thankyou for giving the total weld time for this operation. It's the sort of detail that many youtubers forget to mention but I believe most viewers enjoy this type of information so they know just how much time you sacrifice in order to entertain us, 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you Jeff

[@davidyapp2240]

Hi Dave, just wondering why you haven't been using the stretcher/shrinker on any of the repairs/fabrication on this quarter, is it not actually fit for purpose ??

[@DavesGarageuk]

It's not brilliant. The dies need hardening, the teeth have worn flat already 😫

[@robertwheeldon7853]

I use a fair amount of sealants although not often tiger seal and yes I did used to always tape up the ends of the nozzle now I rip of a couple of layers of plastic bag and trap that in the end screw and the nozzle as well as the other end I never throw away those twist on red caps Belt and braces… I sometimes smear a bit of oil or wd40 on the plastic bag for sealants like ct1 or ‘sticks like ‘ as they are soluble in oil and wipe off with WD or isopropyl

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Robert, good to know 👍

[@gtthompson5818]

Here on Russell Lords recommendations and thoroughly enjoying it, normal guy in a normal garage making very interesting videos on my favourite car 😃👍🏻

[@DavesGarageuk]

Welcome to the channel 😀. Glad you're enjoying it

[@TheDaf95xf]

Evening Dave. Live the Bobby hat 🤣 Nothing better that one of your excellent videos as I’m stuck in my lorry this weekend in Winchester to pass the time away lol 😆 Cheers Stevie 👍🏻

[@DavesGarageuk]

😊😊

[@ModernClassics81]

Well done Dave, great work! I will be giving your new welding method ago on my wheel arch replacement 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Brilliant, will you be doing a video on how it goes?

[@ianchristopher5430]

I'm having the same problems with the Halfords weld through primer, very frustrating.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Good to know it's not just me then 😊

[@andrewrobinson9054]

Masterclass ! Thanks for the tuition I’ll be trying to replicate your method. Nice to see Russell Lord was praising you up… Well done on the best bubble arch video out there!

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you Andrew, I hope it goes well for you 😊

[@jimmyk9523]

31:55 Don't really understand this technique? Welding a tiny amount and grinding it every time, surely that's thinning the metal out too much?

[@DavesGarageuk]

Only if you go to far with the grinding, I haven't noticed it getting too thun, it would be blowing through on the next set if welds otherwise I guess

[@markcook5773]

had similar problem with weld thru primer found standing cans in hot water before use helped a lot keep up the good work coming together nicely

[@DavesGarageuk]

You're not the only one suggesting this, I'll have to try it out.

[@superloopy24v]

Lovely job, you can see the advantages of having done the other side already in how you proceeded as you said would happen. I've watched some Laser welding videos recently and the equipment is incredibly expensive but I'd love to see someone use it for a job like you've just done fitting that arch.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you, I've seen those lazer welders on the tube too, I'd like to see one in the flesh to see how good the welding really is.

[@opelmonzagse]

Dave good job as usual, are you going to keep the shell LHD or convert it to RHD ?

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Mr Spock, live long and prosper, ill be converting to RHD

[@rickwilliams1505]

Brilliant video as always

[@grahamsmith2039]

Excellent work Dave

[@neilmaguire5665]

Did nobody buy u beers for Christmas for ur card board templets? lol

[@DavesGarageuk]

🤣🤣

[@Classic-Shack]

Great job well done 👍👍

[@julienlonfat4359]

nice very interesting

[@vincentbrian7692]

Lovely job mate

[@hymer644g]

Carlsberg not carling!

[@DavesGarageuk]

🤣🤣

[@mandalorian957]

Have a look at NO IDEA Build