1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

I recently met a guy that is insanely awesome at painting. Not just laying down paint, but awesome graphics, designs, and flames. He loves to do flames. He knows a good friend of mine and he came over to look at the 40. My original plan was to mask off the flames on the car currently and just re paint the colors. Well, this guy gave me a pretty great price on re painting the flames after I paint the car.

So here is the dilemma. Do I continue to use my hot rod flatz satin black, or do I pony up and go base clear? The car doesn't need much body work to be nice enough in gloss but there will still be issues with it that won't qualify it as an actual show car. So, with that said, I am leaning towards using the satin black but I would like the shine. But I want to be able to drive the car and not be afraid of the kids scratching it. Because I know it's going to happen. They play in the thing all the time and I don't really want to take that away from them.

At this point I'm leaning towards just using the satin I have and letting this guy do the flames. Get the car back to where it was in my mind where my uncle would have had it if he could have. Then when the kids are more grown up actually put a show paint on it.

Cons to a base clear or single stage gloss paint IMO:

-More work to get it ready to paint

-It may not get done this year (again)

-Less money for other parts the car needs

-Not enough time to get body work done and the rest of the car

Pros:

It will be shiny but be delicate......

What are your guys' thoughts?

[40FordDeluxe]

I have also decided I want to upgrade the gauges to Dakota Digital or Classic Instruments. I'm having a really hard time trying to figure out how to use the gauges I currently have and making them work in the car. The main problem being that my tach and speedo are 5". I might try to sell my gauges and sell some other stuff to get at minimum a DD VHX cluster. We'll see.

Next want is a V butt windshield. I've always wanted one but it may have to wait. The glass has to come out of the car and now would be the time to do it but the glass is fins now. Haha

Uncle Bob, do you have a preference on brand of window gaskets for these cars? My back glass gaskets are torn and someone used black rtv to cover the torn pieces up. I'm going to remove that mess and put new in. I am wondering if there are better seals to use?

On edit. I think I've decided I don't actually like either of the clusters I thought I did. Just something about them. I think I'll re think this before spending a grand and then ending up not liking the gauges.

[v8nutz]

I'm not a fan of flat paint or rusty rat rods, but that is my problem. I do understand the "too nice" aspect. I restored a camaro ss convertible that I had had for 18 years and I no longer enjoyed it after that. It was too perfect and just caused me stress, so I sold it. I don't want anything that nice again.

[NTFDAY]

I am definitely NOT a fan of vbutt windshields, takes away the character of the car. But then again your car, your money and my .02 cents worth.

[rspears]

I'm not a fan of flat paint or rusty rat rods, but that is my problem. I do understand the "too nice" aspect.....

I agree! Just my opinion, I think the popularity of flat paint peaked about 10 years back, and "shiny" doesn't mean "show" to me. I would not worry about trying for "show quality" and just do a nice shiny paint job and then let your new friend flame it. You drive your vehicles, so spending huge $$$$$ on perfect paint doesn't seem smart to me. If your new friend is really good he can fix any scratches the kids leave behind, too.

[36 sedan]

I'm not a fan of flat paint or rusty rat rods, but that is my problem. I do understand the "too nice" aspect. I restored a camaro ss convertible that I had had for 18 years and I no longer enjoyed it after that. It was too perfect and just caused me stress, so I sold it. I don't want anything that nice again.

Next time it comes out too nice, give me a call I'll come over and scratch it up for you so you can enjoy it! I won't charge you much and when you compare it to happiness, I'm PRICELESS (a little more on the less). LOL!!

[36 sedan]

JMHO, I would do what makes you happy (emphasis on you).

[34_40]

JMHO.. Just shoot it in single stage, do an easy cut and buff (up to 1500) it'll have plenty of shine and it can be relatively easy to fix. It was good enough for your uncle I bet.

I'm guilty on changing my mind on the gauges.. I ended up eating the price of the ones I removed.

[36 sedan]

And remember, there is nothing on paint that can't be fixed with a little paint, sand paper and a buffer

[34_40]

And remember, there is nothing on paint that can't be fixed with a little paint, sand paper and a buffer

my point exactly.

[53 Chevy5]

I shot Rita with just a single stage, I was in the same boat as you, didn't want it to be a trailer queen, but I still wanted it to look good. My paint job is definitely not as deep in luxurious as some of the car shows, but I don't worry about a few chips either.

[40FordDeluxe]

The more I think about it the more I agree, just go shiny and be done with it. I'm going to have my friend with the mopar collection price me some paint and see what he can do. Since the glass will be out and it is already prepped, might as well make it shiny.

There are a couple other things I've wanted to do to it too and maybe I'll give them a shot too. A flush mounted 3rd brake light is high on the list. One flush with the paint/clear. I don't know if I'll go that route or not but I have always dug them.

Tonight I dug out my speedo and tach. I am going to make a bezel/gauge holder to put my 5" gauges on my dash. I talked myself right out of those high dollar gauges. I just don't like the Dakota digital ones like I thought I did. The Classic Instruments are nice but part of them look cheap at the same time. I'll just use what I have and I want to incorporate the Fitech controller in either the console or behind the speaker grill.

I'm working on dodges thinking about what all I need to get for the 40 and what all needs done still. I'm also thinking about putting autoloc bear claw latches on the doors. More than once I had the passenger door pop open and I don't want that to happen anymore.

[40FordDeluxe]

Putting this for reference later in case I lose it again.

https://www.mcmillanrodandcustom.com/nerfchinbars.html

[TooMany2count]

Putting this for reference later in case I lose it again.

https://www.mcmillanrodandcustom.com/nerfchinbars.html

That’s cheating.... lol ... joe

[Scooting]

Shiny. Don't do a show job, just do a job that you would expect on a stock car. Rock chips are a sign of honor. Kid bumps are a sign of fun with the family. And use pickup bed texture paint on the running boards, great for knocking the mud of your boots before entering the car.