During shelter in place, after running out of house projects and completing the honey do lists I decided that I wanted to restore my SR3. It is a 2004 and it had seen quite of bit of wheel to wheel racing with the previous owner and was covered with stress cracks, gouges, scrapes, 4 different shades of black paint (each panel was painted with a different color paint) scratched decals, zip tie and duct tape quick track day fixes for loose panels and holes in the glass under the clam.
Once I got all the panels removed, I started to do a deep cleaning as well as fabrication of aluminum brackets to replace the zip ties and have began to nut and bolt torque everything as well as replace oxidized hardware and worn out hardware with new stainless hardware. I also found that the rubber fuel vent line is cracked in quite a few places that I couldn’t see when the cockpit cover/panel was in place, going to pick up some new hose tomorrow.
I paid a decal shop to reproduce the SR3 Supersport, Radical and Powered by Powertec decals so if anyone needs them please let me know as the vinyl shop now has the design and these are no longer available from Radical.
A mechanic linked me up with a fiberglass restoration expert who was trained by the Navy to repair damage to the composite structure of the FA-18 Hornet and after finishing his stint in the Navy did bodywork on Ferraris, Bentley’s, Lambos and other exotics as well as race cars including Radicals! I’m having him fix all the cracks and holes and reinforce the weak points, re-clear all the carbon fiber, prime, sand and paint with base /clear all the bodywork.
I’ll post pics as I go. I also asked the glass guy to send me pics as he does the repair work and I will add them here.
Here is a naked pic as I’ve started to inspect every nook / cranny, bolt, nut and electrical wire.
Sorry for not updating, I have been busy with work and family and the pandemic. I pick up the repaired body panels on Friday. After I install them, they will need to be color sanded. Here are some pics from the repair process and just after painting.
Agreed, it looks great!!
Recently had some of the holes fixed where our cars normally wear through like behind the front wheels. After the car came back I added some adhesive backed rubber matting to these spots. https://www.amazon.com/FatMat-Self-Adhesive-Sound-Deadener-Install/dp/B003TU7L0U/ref=asc_df_B003TU7L0U/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309941869364&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3110894026366715387&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018738&hvtargid=pla-452655395710&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62060060539&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309941869364&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3110894026366715387&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018738&hvtargid=pla-452655395710
We've run several events already this year and it looks like the matting is doing a great job of protecting these sensitive areas and will keep them from wearing through again.
Thought I'd mention it in case you or others were interested.
@trakmnky, Thanks! I think I have some of that type of material lying around. I had used it to stop a panel from vibrating in my truck. Came in a pack of 1'x1' squares. I'll throw some on. I was also wondering if some spray on bed liner in the rear wheel wells might help too.
Crit,
I was told by someone if you put some of it in the top of the wheel wells it'll prevent the spider cracking.
The bed liner is a really interesting idea. It would be lighter and may be heavy enough to do the job.
This winter I may have my nose section cleaned up and then I'm thinking about having it protected with the film they offer at the window tinting places. It should keep the nose from being damaged so quickly with the constant barrage of gravel and road derbies. Maybe I spend to much time behind people and should be out front? 🙂
@trakmnky, my current car has clear bra on the front and it has done an excellent job protecting the car. I don’t know what brand was used but it is pretty thick.
Charley,
Thanks for the confirmation. I wasn't sure how well it would work but figured it would have to help. Now I'm certainly doing this when I have the nose done.
As I'm not racing much anymore, I'd like to finally keep a track car looking good for a change.
Panels on, have to figure out why the front isn't sliding all the way back, my guess is the extra clear is wedging against the tow hook as well as the clip that engages the splitter to the front clam, other than that, everything line back up perfectly and it's ready for a wet sand and buff then I can throw on the new decals.
That came out very nicely!
Decals on and did a full detail and had a clear bra installed on the front clam, that was not cheap 🙁 Next time I'll probably just repaint the front as it will be cheaper.
Thanks Charley I'll be at Laguna on Monday with it! I'll try and get some track shots.
