Ford Escort MK1 Restoration Project, Big Step Forward! Gravitex and Seam Sealer

[@normanbates2260]

You should try bed liner spray and you can tint it to most colours

[@karlkerkhof7966]

Nice of your friends to come and help you team work😂

[@collintrolan283]

Send the diff to jrd he does short oval racing diffs but I'm sure he could help

[@fitnessfoodcars5492]

Ade's face when the RX8 starts [at the very end of the vid] is a mixture of relief and joy 😂

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ha ha, someone noticed the post video 😉

[@paulocaldeira7508]

Keep on Dave , great to see the progress. I’m learning a lot by watching your videos, thanks for all the info you put into it. I have a mk2 escort and I’m struggling to get the body done. Regards from Portugal

[@bobfrankish8883]

Yes indeed, looking good now Dave. I certainly think it's time Halfords gave you a kick-back, I've even bought a can! I was very poorly in 2019 and ended up in hospital, and to save myself going mad, I discovered KZbin, and the first car restoration channel I got into was Pete Crompton's Cortina City. He has used Gravitex on all his projects and swears by it. I take on board the comment about the 2 pack bedliner, but sometimes a bit softer and more flexible can be better in the long run. Anyhow, time will obviously tell, but I think you are doing a job that would make any of us proud.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Cheers Bob, I hope you've fully recovered.

[@fitnessfoodcars5492]

@halfords should definitely be sending a few crates of their primer! 😂 Enjoyed helping out! Even though the seam sealing was never ending! lol

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks again!

[@-Astro--]

being here almost from the beginning this is great to see Dave. Appreciate you taking us on this journey with you, your attitude and the way you go about things is a real pleasure to watch. can't wait for the rest!

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Rib, I appreciate your comment.

[@stu2427]

Now the good stuff putting it back together looking good great work

[@nigelbostock4270]

Bearing in mind your primer test I’m going to use Halfords weld through primer on my chassis so maybe they should sponsor you

[@DavesGarageuk]

I agree 😊😊

[@masterviguel]

Love it! You're making me want to pick up an old MK1 and just restore it with my bare hands! Can't wait for the next video

[@DavesGarageuk]

Do it 😊😊

[@TheDaf95xf]

Good morning Dave the gas man working in his garage 😂 Nice seeing your mate with you 👍🏻 I’m back in England now in a wet miserable wet day so nothing betting the one of your videos to cheer me up lol 😆 Hopefully you’ll never stop doing what you’re doing m8 😊 Wouldn’t it be funny is someone found this car in 50 years time and stated restoring it at said what a fantastic job the previous owner did 🤣 Take care until the next exciting episode 👍🏻

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Stevie, the travelling trucker, yep, it has rained constantly all March, in fact it's piddling down right now 🤣

[@bobstacey9311]

Great advert for the Halfords weld through primer hope they send you a box or two as a sponsor

[@DavesGarageuk]

Cheers Bob, me too 😉

[@claytonspeedcars]

Nice one Dave. Really enjoyed that. Top bloke. It's always nice to see someone else in their garage playing with cars! Bit jealous of the roller!

[@DavesGarageuk]

Cheers pal, it was pretty simple to build, makes a huge difference.

[@Adam151082]

Brilliant work Dave. 👍🏼

[@ewes1318]

Small garage, simple tools,top job!! Greetings escort MK1 owner from the Netherlands 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Ernie, from the Netherlands 😊

[@ewes1318]

​@@DavesGarageuk Hi Dave,a 5speed gearbox from a sierra OHC and a 1.37 diff is in my opinion the best choice. Greets Ernie 🙂

[@opelmonzagse]

Great stuff Dave, always guaranteed to see good work in your vids :)

[@billywhizz98]

Another great video Dave the under seal looks good quality

[@jamesward5721]

When you're smoothing the seam-sealer, dip the brush in thinners - keep the brush wet. It will then leave a lovely smooth finish on the seam-sealer. I've been doing it that way for years & it works very well. Another thing is, if you can get some IPA (isopropyl alcohol) wipes - they are the absolute dogs danglies for removing excess/goofed seam sealer - come in very handy for around screens etc etc - they are also the best pre-paint panel cleaner going..

[@jamesward5721]

also also, instead of using Gravitex, get some Cobra (or other brand) bedliner & spray the undersides with that - being a 2k & being tough as old boots, it makes for a brilliant "Underseal". Gravitex et al damage a bit too easily for my liking - bedliner is hard as the hobs of hell in comparison..

[@jamesward5721]

also also also, lol - if you use Gravitex/bedliner/blah blah - you can shoot them with a spray gun with a 2.0 tip - just mix as per instructions & then add 10 - 15% thinners, bang it into the cup & spray - it gives a flatter, more even coverage than shooting it through a Schutz-gun. If you don't have a 2.0 tip gun, buy a cheapo hvlp gun with the boggo 1.2/1.3 tip, grab a 2.0mm drill bit & drill the aircap center hole out to 2mm - voila, a 2.0mm spray gun. Also lashes on epoxy primers rather nicely compared to shooting it out a 1.2/1.4.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you James, I really appreciate your help and comments, all excellent 👍

[@neiljarvis8911]

This is a landmark, getting the final finish on the bottom makes it look fantastic. Well done Dave!

[@clivelambourne8377]

Hi Dave If you like to. Brush. The 2k. You will find. It can be brushed straight from the tin. No. Activator. To spray. 2k. U need the correct. Gun. With correct fluid tip. I use. 83. Cap 2 k. Is much. Easier. Than cellulose. U can flat. And polish 2k. Hope helps. Clive

[@DavesGarageuk]

That's very interesting Clive, I wasn't aware that 2k doest "need" activator, I'll look into that. Could be the answer, without the activator it'll set slower, therefore more time to work with it...

[@RetroCarsReborn]

Looks mint I can't wait till I'm at this stage with my capri the gravitex looks good 👌 just looked on eBay to seen you can get a kit of the gun and six litres for less than 50quid can't go wrong 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Yep, it's a bargain, I'm following your channel 😀 good work on your projects 👍

[@RetroCarsReborn]

@@DavesGarageuk I was hoping to get on with my escort this year but I can't seem to make any progress 🤣🤣

[@micktuck5377]

Wow, never seen that stuff used before looks great. So pleased for you to see to all coming together slowly! Mine was a 3 year build but 36 years ago with no garage! Fantastic work Dave 👍🏻

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Mick, 😊 do you still have yours?

[@micktuck5377]

Sadly no sold it in ‘97 to get married. Got photos of the build mk2 with 2L pinto, turreted etc I didn’t have the major rust you’ve had mate

[@Nathanmorganmk1escort]

Coming along nicely now Dave 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ramalama9650]

These videos are brilliant. I can't wait to see this car finished!

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ah thanks 😊

[@sidsxr3irestoration]

Excellent job Dave finished it off nicely 👌 I would give the arches some more coats thicker for stone's to bounce off. Don't think your will driver her like a Sunday afternoon 😄👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Already on it 😊😊👍

[@superloopy24v]

That went on nicely, another good job done.

[@ianrobins4564]

I've used the same uderseal/coating on a kit car with the same great results , just be careful if you are using it on areas we're there might be some older underbody sealer , remaining, it can lift /react with the old stuff, Keep up the good work

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Ian, good tip, I have wire wheeled everything off back to bare metal, so shouldn't be a problem, good to know for the future though, ta.

[@robert1016]

Great work Dave, can't wait to see it finished.

[@philrogers2406]

Coming together nicely Dave

[@eastcoastuk9705]

Come out great Dave good to see a big step closer to no more welding . I’ve always cut the bristles very short on brush & used small amount of thinners on brush to blend in Nicely. Specially tops of wing joints etc after two lines of masking tape like factory ford had on most won’t to front panel etc. see you on next upload

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks, I'll do that on the more visible panels 😊👍

[@martinsadler707]

Tip: when using Gravitex, thin it slightly so that it ‘flows’ better. The finish is smoother and paints better, more like a factory finish. Great job Dave.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks for the tip 😊

[@jamesconnors4297]

As master card would have said. Future proofing your work.....Priceless

[@anthonykinrade8642]

Great to see it coming together!...

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank you 😊

[@davegall3533]

Good job, looks great, brings backs lots of memories, tins of seam sealer, a brush....good call on the halfords primer!!

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Dave

[@stevehalverson4315]

You don’t need it but good luck for the completion before the show, so happy for the videos and the work you have done sad they will finish when the beast is ready 😮nice one

[@DavesGarageuk]

Don't be sad Steve, the Manta is in the wings, had a poke about with it over the weekend, its worse than I'd hoped, so will very likely be a full strip down on that when the Escort is done.

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Excellent work Dave & Ray! I use the HB body brush-able stuff they make great products. Upol gravitex is also my go to. Really good to over paint with a light key up. This is really coming along nicely!

[@jamesentwistle8258]

Looking good Dave

[@rickwilliams1505]

Seal of approval from me great video

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ha ha punny 🤣

[@dreamteami.l5253]

Really enjoy the videos

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

Team work makes the dream work Dave lol , that texture spray was impressive went on a dream by the look of it and made a super job of it to . Think that was a good call on the Halfords weld through primer proofs in the pudding mate you done the donkey work with the long term testing it was miles ahead of everything else so good call 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thank pal

[@benjohnson7170]

Looking sweet as in all one colour/texture... Bloody ripper mate. Giving me motivation for my projects here in Oz.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Ben from down under 😊

[@andyrichards1002]

I have to say dave its great how far you have got showing us all that you dont need fancy expensive equipment and showing us all where theres a will theres a way fantastic dave also can the halfords weld through primer be painted over with top coat paint finish

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Andy, I don't know how a top coat will go over the Halfords stuff, I'd imagine you'd be filler primer etc before that anyways. The gravitex certainly stuck to it well, and I've just top coated that, so watch this space...

[@andyrichards1002]

Fab dave thanks mate if you have time could you put a little of your top coat over a piece as the rust prevention looks fantastic thanks again dave keep on keeping on great

[@DavesGarageuk]

@@andyrichards1002 yeah, good idea

[@geraldogara5098]

Nice job keep the good work up

[@robinstewart4729]

great job dave

[@hohocc1349]

Great work as always Dave, thanks for the video.

[@grahamlamb3192]

Excellent 👍

[@uncensored5104]

The reason the 2k epoxy didn't hold up as it doesn't do well in UV light. Its designed to be painted over ideally within a couple of days 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Interesting

[@blitz9994]

Just got to the same stage on my manta a project bare steel on the inner front arches and chassis rails etch primed and gravitex it’s a good feeling when you start putting stuff back on instead of taking it off fingers crossed I’ll see you on the road one day living in the valleys myself 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Ah fab! Nice to hear of another Manta being saved, I had a potch with mine over the weekend and cracked the windscreen 😢😬

[@karl692]

Looking really good. Halfords paint looks a good product. May be would have put seam sealer on the patches on the floor also. Looking forward to the next installment

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks for the tip

[@philtucker1224]

Hi again Dave! Lovely job on the car floor! (I always think once you have a solid floor, you’re going to have a solid car! Love the gravitex finish! Another beautiful Mk1 is on its way ! 👍😊🇬🇧

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Phil, it's definitely the part that gets the most abuse

[@robertimpey4520]

Love watching your videos i look forward to them every week , i do like the finish on the gravitex i may use it my self now seeing it , i hope to see you at the car show , hopefully you can sort a trailer to take the mk1 along 😊

[@DavesGarageuk]

Look forward to meeting you 😊

[@robertamor3203]

good job it makes all the differants being one colour show off all your hard work nice for to have some help carry on

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Robert, yeah, it's good to have garage company, a real boost to motivation 👍

[@christopheclement62]

tres bon travail !

[@DavesGarageuk]

Mercy 😊

[@4ndy65]

nearly stopped watching when you had your cunning plan We all know how cunning plans can go Thoroughly enjoyed watching

[@DavesGarageuk]

🤣🤣

[@barrythatcher9349]

@@DavesGarageuk I'm waiting for Bladrick and Blackadder to turn up

[@DavesGarageuk]

@@barrythatcher9349 You can decide for yourself between Ade and I which is which

[@antonywlkins418]

Hi Dave it is a joy to watch taking us on this journey with the excellent mk1 escort, my neighbour and friend is doing a mk1 escort estate, I also know someone who races mk1 escorts, can I share a tip with you?, you may of already heard of? when seam sealing if you stick some masking tape either side of the panels your sealing wait till it dries then remove it gives you a neater finish almost like factory, I too use halfords weld through zinc primer but I much prefer u-pols zinc weld through primer, I won't use weld through primer that has copper in it, as like you have shown it's not good at protecing against rust.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks for the tip Antony, I'll do that on the more visible seams, I think I'll be using the Gravitex on the inside too, it's wonderful stuff, and I guess it will help with dumbing the panel drumming as well.

[@christee5772]

Nice job, as always. Good to know about the protection given by Halfords primer, I assumed being a primer it would be porous but obviously not, I'm using it after your earlier recommendation. Also, good trick with refilling the seam sealer tube.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Chris, I thought it would be porous too, but the results are undeniable, what really surprised me was how bad the 2k and 1k epoxy primers were, they're supposed to be the goto for this sort of thing...

[@christee5772]

Yes, heard good things about epoxy too but, I guess they need a top coat soon after application for maximum protection.

[@spenc6501]

I've used Halford primer on my mk1 and I personally wouldn't use it again

[@croonersteve]

Looks nice Dave I used raptor on the inner wings of my mk1 but I think I’ll be using gravitex on the rest of the underside. Good stuff as per 👍

[@DavesGarageuk]

Cheers Steve, it was a choice between the two, to be honest, and Gravitex seemed the better product, according to those that have used it.

[@kevtherev891]

followed your gr8 vids dave im restoring a mk2 rs2000 and im at the same stage as you seam sealing and gravitex , i would say though , chuck that terrible silicone gun and splash out on this one code 136fr from screwfix about 16 quid odd but there amazing , keep up the gr8 work cheers mate

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Kev, I'll have a look at that 👍

[@philtucker1224]

He he! That piece of cardboard is never going to rust now! 🤣😂

[@DavesGarageuk]

🤣🤣

[@markblacklock588]

Great work Dave, what size wire are you using?

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Mark, I find the 0.6mm the easiest to use

[@markblacklock588]

@@DavesGarageuk thanks for that, I'm using.0.8 and was told I should use 0.6 on thin metal

[@ozbrick498]

How are you going to keep the axle in position

[@DavesGarageuk]

Hi Oz, as it's an import shell, type 48 I think they called it, it does have tramp bars, they are shorter than the type 49 shell, and locate a little further back off the chassis. It's only going to be a road car, and I want it to be a comfortable ride, so a 5 link set up would be overkill

[@ozbrick498]

👍🏻 it’s looking good with the st170 won’t the axle move on the leaf springs

[@DavesGarageuk]

@Oz Brick possibly, cross that bridge as it happens 😉

[@jimsdad3739]

Bubble arches? Eewwwww

[@DavesGarageuk]

Marmite mate, I love them 😊😊

[@johnadona3014]

What weldthrough primer is that grey one?

[@alanchurchill7305]

Nice to see it at this stage Dave,gravitex went on well,covers a multitude, I've used a guy up by me a couple of times for a trailer,very reasonable,send me a private message if you need his number.

[@DavesGarageuk]

Thanks Alan, that's good to know.