Thread: 57 Chevy Project Update

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Several weeks ago I had posted a questions about selecting a good wiring harness. Several responded that helped me make a selection (American Auto Wire).

Again, thanks to those that responded.

This message is simply an effort to update those that are interested. Felt guilty not sending somehing in about this.

Decission was made to blast the car. Spent much time getting pricing. Spent even more time recoverying from price shock.

Anyway, since this is a driver I made the decission to blast using sand. Yes I know...there are many views on this. Many articles were read and I talked to many people. The person doing this blast has been at it for 28 years. He has done several of these cars plus many others. Visited with 14 of his customers. After reading all and thinking about the sand issue, I simply decided that if the operator knows what he is doing, it can be done well. So I will take this gamble and see how it goes.

Oh yes, something that helped me make that decission: 1) blast, 2) seal, 4) prime, 5) paint chassis semi-gloss black. This for $750.00 max including a guarantee against damage by warping. Had to take the chance.

Most of car will be taken apart before blasting. engine and trans is out and I have removed most of the chassis and suspension components that will be replaced with new stuff.

Once done there. Bodyshop time.

Everyone enjoy the holidays!

Don Copeland
Houston, TX

Hi Don, personally I think the process you used

...."articles were read .....talked to many people. The person doing this blast has been at it for 28 years. Visited with 14 of his customers....."

One of the big things a lot of people doing one of these projects fails to do is proper research before spending a lot of hard earned money.

On another note, thanks for posting an update. We get a lot of "one hit wonders" here who post a question or 2 never to be heard from again. As your progress continues, I think you will find that there are a lot of people here who will follow your progress with a lot of intrest.

Well done, Don!!! Research and references are probably the single most important and most overlooked part of building a car when outside vendors are required. Any shop who has that many satisfied customers has got to know what he is doing!!!!

Also IMO that is an excellent price for all the work he is doing. Having "been there, done that" I know there is a lot of time and materials involved in the process.

Keep us updated, would be nice to see some pics when you get it back from the blaster.

Don, I'll echo Mike and Dave to make this a trio (I'll do bass).

Thank you for the feedback. Sometimes I think that the folks looking for advice just roll their eyes when they read what they don't think they want to hear. You've done the smart things in your evaluation process. Comparing price alone without knowing that the various providers are ABSOLUTELY equal in what's delivered is pure folly. Wish more would be so wise.

Let me just interject one more thought in here. Personally I've seen too many "experienced" blasters who've not lived up to expectations. You may have found a jewel, and you've certainly gone through the exercise that would increase the odds that you have. But the price you've quoted for the amount of work that appears to be promised seems pretty low for a guy who's really on top of it. In thinking of a '57 Chev, I would be especeally concerned with those long, relatively flat quarter panels. Don't know what you're paying the body shop, but lets say it's $50/hr. If the blasting guy causes enough damage to require, let's say, 10 hours more body work (which with wavey sheet metal would hardly be visible), then there's $500 more you could have spent on a less damaging blasting process. Maybe you've already considered this and it's within your expectations, just thought I'd throw that out.

Thanks for your comments. Most importantly, your comments about enjoying the update. Good to hear. More will arrive after holidays.

RE: Bob Parmenter

Yea, gave that consideration as well. At some point, for a novice such as myself, you can go so far in evaluating your research and then you have to gamble some.

The purpose of the blast is to see what is under the paint and then evaluate body shop cost. The blaster and the body shop are in communication. Got them together at the start. They seem to be happy.

The price even set me back a little. It was and is a looow price. One that would cause anyone to put up their guard. Even me.

I need to explain a little more about some of the build requirements for this car. Here are a few requirements I setout before the car was even purchased:

1) Seek out craftsman outside of local shops. Find them before they start or go to work in these shops. They have to come from somewhere!

2) They must be car people and love what they do expecially if they work on them after they leave their regular jobs.

3) They must take pride in their work.

Most of these are obvious but I felt I must have some paramaters or I would get lost. The first requirement is the one I study the most.

In my work (oil & gas exploration) I travel all week to most towns in Texas an Armadillo has never seen. People live in these towns and there are shops there that I go see no matter what.

The blaster in Belton Texas was found this way. He has no "custom shop" but rather a blasting business targeting farm and industrial work. His experience in car blasting comes from his own personal projects, his friends, and those that his friends have recommended.

When he first saw the car he almost jumped for joy. He has done 3 so far and they are his favorate. Yea...this could have been BS but after looking at his photos of some his uncles I sorta began to belive him. He really wants to do this car. For me, this was important.

My point here is basic. He continues to put these cars out based only on satisfied customers telling their friends. They come from all over the state. His shop is located at his farm (I love TX). Went there to watch him work.

The body shop fella is in Yoakum TX. He has put out 9 cars in his area (I have seen them all) and he too has a shop out at his cattle ranch (again..gotta love Texas). His cars are mostly muscle cars. All are wet-sanded and look absolutly great! I almost would not want to drive some of the ones he has done. They look almost that good. Certainly, high quality drivers. His fee is based on $15.00 per hour. He will give me a worse case price after the blasting.

Again, let me point out that these are the craftsman I wanted to try and find. Each does their work out of enjoyment and pride. They work other jobs because of their location and in some cases, their heritage. They have not migrated to the city...yet.

Perhaps this idea of finding craftsman is impossible but one of the project goals is to find out. If I fail, that is what the backup money is far.

So...place your bets!! Can I get this done? We shall see what we shall see.

Gotta go now and put another 300 miles on my car today. This time out to Henderson TX. I think there could be an interior guy there that I want to see!

Stay safe folks!!

Don Copeland

Originally posted by BatterdBull
....... you can go so far in evaluating your research and then you have to gamble some.

Spoken like a true E&P guy!!

One of the top 5 paint jobs I've ever had was done by a kid who painted full time "during the day", and did my job "on the side". He set the price, I didn't haggle, he hadn't figured out what he was really worth yet..............at that time. So it can be done. Sounds like you've worked to put the odds in your favor.

An interesting process, I hope it works well for you (and it may).

I would offer a couple words of caution/advice (which may be something you have also considered).

Regularly check the progress and pay attention to the small parts (you wouldn't believe the horror stories of lost small parts when the cars go to the body shops; thing like trim, latches etc being misplaced and having to be replaced.)

If you start feeling uncomfortable with a shop/workmanship pull the car!!!

I suspect you are doing a bit more research than by brother-in-law did, but his 60 Ford truck is unfortunatly a more common story than not. His MAIN concern was cost period.

He sought out the cheapest "body men" he could find locally. The truck ended up with at total of three people's garages. The first one left town in the middle of the night (likely not a problem with the people your dealing with), the second kept simply quit working on it, and in the process 'misplaced " all the hinges, door handles trim etc". The third guy finally finished it.

On a trip back to IL over Thanksgiving I saw the truck in person for the first time (it's been "done" for about a 1 1/2 years now), and I was a little underwhelmed. The 8" run under the back window was bad enough, but what he was most concerned about was finding a replacement door for the passenger side due to the rust bubbleing up under the paint.

At this point he has right around $30K in the truck (which in my estimation is presently a decent $8 - 12K driver quality, discounting the condition of the door).

I guess my point is keep an eye on what's going on, and research how the work is supposed to be CORRECTLY done. If it's below the quality YOU want, don't be afraid move it to another shop.

MY 57 Plymouth is currently in the body shop and getting closer to paint. Yes in my case cost is also a consideration, I did not go with the cheapest, but I also didn't go with the most expensive.

I've done paint and body work before, so I knew pretty much what was going to be involved. I choose the body guy I'm using after spending a couple hours talking to him, and went into it realizing I was trading a bit of time for a lower price (the cars been there since July). The work is quality and steady, but most importantly I have followed it every step of the way (I stop by every couple of weeks) and I know whats under the primer.

Keep us posted.

Because of health considerations, I try to stay out of the paint booth these days. The guy I'm using for paint is a "new kid in town" out to make a name for himself......He is good, and very fussy. I checked out about a dozen of his finished cars, from circle burners to insurance jobs, before I even talked to him. Bill's Firebird should be out there for paint in the next couple weeks....... I'm sure he is going to give it some extra attention because of the attention it will bring him.....