While waiting for the chassis to be finished, it was time for the front panel, or "Breakfast" as some call it, to get some preparation prior to being removed and refinished. First out were the headlights. The bowls are in pretty good shape, the paint is still nice and shiny, but there are very small corrosion spots in many places, plus a hint of rust on the bottom rim. Will have to think of a way to correct and hide those spots without compromising the original paint, which I'd like to keep.
The front panel, in black and white as the photo came out so yellowy-orange is was distracting! Around the headlight openings the paint is the original pastel green. All the split rivets that hold down the bonnet cushion strip have been drilled out (brass, so pretty easy). The radiator itself appears to be in great shape, with what appears to be only the tiniest of leaks around the drain plug, hopefully fixeable with a new washer.
The bonnet latch cover plate has been cleaned and refinished, while the mechanism itself has been cleaned but will get a bath in a gentle rust remover to clean it thoroughly. The front panel, while having the original pastel green paint chipping off, has almost no rust at all, and that which there is, is very superficial.
All the headlight components in one shot. The chrome parts are in perfect shape, and cleaned up very nicely. The rubber seals can perhaps be used again. The retainers have rust at their very bottoms, and as such after cleaning they will most likely get a coat of rust converter and then a silver spray (perhaps a zinc-type paint). The headlight bulbs will be replaced, as one is burned out (at least, it din't work before, and I can hear something small rattling around inside), and it's probably better to start with two fresh new ones.
Note the shadow of the chassis on the right, which is now horizontal!
