Thread: Everybody that is currently building a car...

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Originally Posted by falconvan

Dave,
My oldest son was the same way with his 69 Chevy truck. I couldn't get him to do squat on it until it was almost done and he could start to visualize the finished product. My youngest son has been much better about helping on his car.

I've got a paint question; We're going to paint my son's 94 Firebird and I'm wondering how to address the plastic nosepiece. There's a lot of cracking in the paint on this part. How do I prep this to paint it so that doesn't come back? Is there any special way to sand these plastic pieces so as not to mess them up? Anything you have to add to the primer and paint for flexing?

I'm going to try something a little different.....going to finish the front clip.....polished and all new chrome (grill and bumper in bad shape). Then let his sit back and realize what it could look like..... Is that mean?

falconvan..... I've done quite a few urethan bumpers over the years. Here's what I do. I sand all of the old paint off using a 180 da (or coarser). I personally would stay away from the spray on paint remover stuff. Make a real mess. Sand all the way down to the urethan because you want to get those cracks out. When the entire nose is done....I usually use a good 2k primer with flex additive and block the entire thing down till its perfect. Seems like I used the flex in the clear too but I honestly cant remember. I usually ask John down at Modern parts. He's never steered my wrong. I wish I had used more flex additive on my RX8. I curbed it several months ago and man you should see the spider webs (cracks).

Dave G

Originally Posted by Stovebolter

I'm going to try something a little different.....going to finish the front clip.....polished and all new chrome (grill and bumper in bad shape). Then let his sit back and realize what it could look like..... Is that mean?

Dave G

I don't think it's mean....I think it's just another lesson in reality!!!!! Hot Rods don't finish themselves or remain shiny forever!!!!!

My middle son was ready as soon as he could hold a wrench today he is 28 and I do guide him in new territory . My oldest son at 32 will not touch a wrench he goes to the dealer or begs me LOL

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I don't think it's mean....I think it's just another lesson in reality!!!!! Hot Rods don't finish themselves or remain shiny forever!!!!!

Thanks Dave. It puzzles me.....a boy his entire life has drilled me with questions to the point that his mother and I swore he had oil in his veins. But now when it comes right down to the nitty gritty.....he lacks ambition. I'll admitt....this week he has put a lot of time in the car.....but I've had to stay after him constantly. I imagine he has my A.D.D. He'll go from stripping paint for 5 minutes to swatting flys for 10 minutes....then stares off into space for another 5 before he gets a glare from me and a warning that I'm about to push his car outside out of my way and then he can battle the rust himself.

Today we cleaned up shop....man that sand and filler dust gets everywhere. What a mess.

Since last.....cut the rot out of the drivers side floor pan.....realizing that I had no seam sealer and ran out of weldable primer. He stripped the entire radiator/headlight/fender support....and he sprayed it with DP90. I told him that DP90 would suffice just fine for his car.....sprayed the bright radiator too.....cause it just didnt look right behind the grill in its natural color. Dustin got the other fender stripped and both inner fenders and cowl. Now if I could just get that hood right. Then we could proceed to block and wet sand. Its starting to get hot and humid. I told him we really need to get this done.

Know what ya mean on the kid.... My son was all revved up on cars till he was about 12 and discovered computers, don't think he's been in the shop voluntarily since then. month or so ago, had to go put a battery in his car for him--said he didn't know how...

Sounds like some good progress on yours... I went out in the garage the other night and tacked the frame ties into the 'maro, but that's about all I've done to it lately...so busy out at the shop again. Think I see some spare time coming in a couple weeks, hopefully. Got the right side quarter cleco'd into place on the '67 (rust monster) Camaro at the shop, it's a "real" SS 4 speed car, so it will require a lot of extra time and attention to detail!!!! Got the engine out of the '36 Plymouth and doing the final fit on the front sheet metal, then time to break it down for paint... Bill did some swappin' today, swapped the old '66 T-Bird for a '37 Plymouth pickup...haven't seen it yet, guess it's coming home next weekend... No pics from the shop, forgot to take the camera along today.....

Dave....you'll be driving that Camaro before you know it. You should drop a blue oval in it just to puzzle us Chevy guys. Had a co-worker come in last week telling me that he just saw a 65-68 Mustang Fastback for sale for $1200. Absolutely overloaded with excitement (my wife wants one), I jumped in the van and headed to the place that said co-worker stated it sat. Keep in mind please....this guy is an old friend that I met at a car show. We both showed our 71 Chevelle SS's the same day and became close friends ever since. I honestly figured him to be a car guy and know what he was talking about. When I got there however.......it was an AMC Javalin. I definitely called him and teased him. He said they look similar....I said no way. Cool car....just not what I was hoping for. Obviously it goes without saying....if its too good to be true it probably is. I knew a fast back would be priced much higher but you never know around here. Lots of times folks around here dont know what some of these cars are worth.

It's funny I thought it was going to be a newer Mustang. After looking at a Javelin though, it does bear some resemblance to a 72 fastback

What shape was the Javelin in? Might be worth a bit!

Heck, I like them both!!! of course the Horse would be my first choice, but I'd like to find a nice Javelin or especially an AMX to play with some day!

Dave the next Fastback I nab you will have first dibs on it . Of course some fender massage may be in the configuration .

No problem, Bobby!!! I do lots of fenders and quarter panels!!!!

Finally got a shot of the frame ties tacked into place on the 'maro, still lots of work and welding to finish the installation. The other pic, well, if a little engine set back is good, then more is better, right????

Evolvo.... I actually do like the car but it was for my wife.....she wants a 65-67ish fastback....or an original Beetle convertible. LOL's. I'm leaning toward the Beetle. Although they have a hefty price tag too now days.

Stovens.....the AMC actually is in very restorable shape. Badged as a 360 auto. Also think it had the SST emblem. If someone is interested I'll dig deeper for them. $1200 on the window.

Dave.....Right now I'm wishing you'd send some of that cooler weather my way. LOL's.

Bluestang......Those will make some nice ponies! You must have been collecting them for a while.

That looks great, Dave. That thing should handle like a slot car between the reinforcements and weight distribution. Is that about the same setback as a late model F-body?
Bobby, looks like you've got a goldmine worth of Stang stuff sitting there!

[QUOTE=falconvan;355658]That looks great, Dave. That thing should handle like a slot car between the reinforcements and weight distribution. Is that about the same setback as a late model F-body?
QUOTE]

About 4" more.....Might have to go forward some so I can get the shifter where I want it.... Now if I could just find some time to work on it a bit....

No kidding; if I've got time, I've got no money. If I've got money, I can't find the time. Wish I could get them both together for a change. It's looking good, you'll be done before you know it.