American Muscle Cars Australia
Tech Talk & Articles => GM Cars => Topic started by: LeighP on November 21, 2011, 05:13:45 PM
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Thought people may be interested to follow along as my car gets painted. Dropped it into the shop one week ago.
Work is being done by Alan and the crew at Wreck-A-Mended Smash Repairs - Ingleburn, NSW.
I dropped in to see the car today, and against my expectations on body shops, they'd hauled into the job.
Most of the car is disassembled and stripped of paint. Body still has some small sections down the bottom to strip, but its looking pretty clean so far.
The shop owner said he's pretty happy with the doors and one fender, but the other fender will need some work as it's had the typical 70's-80's repair to some dents then smothered in body filler to make it look nice....its fixable, though, which is good.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1a.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1b.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1c.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1d.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1e.jpg)
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They're going against the 'panel beaters code' by hooking into it like that. After a week, it should've been pushed over into a corner with junk stacked up on it.
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Kind of what I expected, lol.
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:fantastic: What colour are you painting it [ green is nice ] :drink:
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Commodore SS / SV6 colour called Poison Ivy.
(http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q1/CaptainKarta/Car%20Pics/17092010078.jpg)
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Ok...so now they've got the door cutouts and cowl sides clean, and the lower body.....car is looking pretty good.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1g.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1h.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1i.jpg)
Not bad for a 40 year old, eh?
Door have got their first coat of primer on them.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1l.jpg)
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Found another old repair...bottom of the LH rear quarter and the bottom of the back valance on the same side...seems to have been an impact repair rather than rust...it's been roughly pulled then filled over....so that'll be another fix.
I came in today and the shop owner (Alan) had spent a lot of the day file finishing the roof and correcting small defects in the panel.....old school stuff.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1n.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1o.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1p.jpg)
Heres the LH fender where it had been poorly repaired and filled up....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1m-1.jpg)
All in all, when I see what some guys are going through repairing cars, I'm pretty happy with what we've found.
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You are so lucky to have an old school panel beater working on your car. No rust helps too. Good topic, keep it up. Eddie
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You are so lucky to have an old school panel beater working on your car. No rust helps too. Good topic, keep it up. Eddie
Showing a fair bit of interest there Eddie....just tell us the truth...you do love Pontiacs, don't you :lol:
By the way Leigh....Greeeen is nice!
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Yeah, green is nice.
Interestingly, when I dropped in to talk to Alan and have a look at the car, Owen Webb had been in the shop as he's an old friend of Alan's. He heard what colour I wanted to spray the car and he suggested to Alan that he drop around some House Of Kolor samples....apparently, Owen has been trying to get Alan to use HOK paints for some time.......maybe I'll have to see what those HOK colours look like....I still want the same green - I'm digging the hue. lol.
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HOK is the madest colours it would be a stand out car in that Green , it would be the Mostest
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You are so lucky to have an old school panel beater working on your car. No rust helps too. Good topic, keep it up. Eddie
Showing a fair bit of interest there Eddie....just tell us the truth...you do love Pontiacs, don't you :lol:
By the way Leigh....Greeeen is nice!
Begins with a P but it ain't a Pontiac. Deuschland, Deuschland uber Alles. Eddie
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POOFENHAUSER?.......:zip: :rol:
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Not much happened this week due to trying to get some other repairs out the door.....he's been lifting some low spots on the turret and sail panels and working the edges of the window cutouts to line up properly along the trims.
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Thanks for the posts and great pics :)
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The panel shop has finished up those annoying "before Christmas" jobs, and they're back onto my car.
They found that the rear window opening didn't really line up nicely along the edge of the window trims....so they've been working those edges to get things right.
I dropped the front and rear screens down today so they can trial fit the glass to make sure the molds sit correctly all the way round....these guys are really going to town on this and spending some serious time to make it look right.
First skim of filler ....got this just as they were applying it.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1q.jpg)
LH side of the rear window, where he's been working the body line....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1t.jpg)
And for some reason, I'd accidentally spun the selector knob on the new camera to video....so heres a few seconds of MP4
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/th_finalpaintrearwindowtrim1.jpg) (http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/?action=view¤t=finalpaintrearwindowtrim1.mp4)
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Saturday - the guys are hard at it...fixing poorly done old repairs.... they hope to have it in primer Monday or Tuesday
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1u.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2a.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1z.jpg)
Heres the RH side sail panel area after reworking it...the LH is half done.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1w.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1y.jpg)
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Work continues...they are hoping to have the shell primed tomorrow or wednesday.
Undetected previous repairs that had to be reworked currently stand at....
- Left and right sail panel areas where the vinyl roof had been removed and the leading had cracked
- rear LH quarter bottom and rear valance from previous accident damage
- LH lower B pillar at the bottom edge above the sill, looks like a small rust repair poorly done...not rusty, just not real nice work.
- RH front fender dents from old accident damage
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2c.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2d.jpg)
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So, we're finally up to primer.....they got it into the booth this afternoon and sprayed some primer/hi-fill on it. He said they'll be doing some blocking tomorrow then next week they'll be fitting up the panels.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2s.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2o.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2y.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2x.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2w.jpg)
And they're also working that damage on the front RH fender...they tell me it'll be good.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint2n.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3b.jpg)
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This is what the fender damage looked like after the filler was removed...
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint1m-1.jpg)
Now it looks like this, all metal work, too...not filled up like before...
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3f.jpg)
Heres the base coat that they mixed up to colour the car as a base for blocking it, and also to provide a coloured base for the translucent pearl green topcoat, so it covers better.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3d.jpg)
And heres the first of the topcoat on the inner door surfaces....over the base coat great...it really looks great in person.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3i.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3h.jpg)
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:fantastic: Looking Good
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More happening...they're working on the Formula hood...found a couple of small spots where they need to do fibreglass repairs on the undersides.
Trunk lid is painted inside, as are the fenders. He stone guarded the interior of the fenders before painting....not really sure that was needed as no rocks can get up there with the inner fenders in place, but it looks clean and neat.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3j.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3l.jpg)
They also found a previous repair on the windscreen surround that I had done at another place was a bit dodgy (thin), so they're reworking it....I hate paying for poor workmanship, really annoys me.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3q.jpg)
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Small hold up...thought my hinges on the car were OK, but they didn't pass muster....small amount of play in the bushes and the detent roller looked a tad average on one.
Luckily, Pontiworld came to the rescue (thanks Dave) with a new set of repro hinges on overnight delivery.
Those repro hinges look pretty good...heavy guage steel just like the factory ones.
They're trying their best to get the car fitted up and maybe a base coat of colour laid on before they break for the holidays. Picked up the re-chromed bumper from All Metal Bumpers (Ingleburn) today as well, nice job, and I had them weld up the jack slots while they were at it.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint3t.jpg)
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Change of pace....while the car is off getting painted, I'm working on small parts so they don't slow me down later.
Latest project is to make up my customised dash panel.
I bought a restored T/A panel off an American guy named Randy Combs, I really like the engine turned dash and Randy does the finest work. I had Randy remove the instrument rings as I wouldn't need them. (If anyone needs to contact Randy for a dash resto, let me know).
I planned to fit aftermarket instruments from Classic Instruments, I've used them before and they are good gear...plus they had a special style gauge that I really wanted for my car. I've been in the aircraft industry, military and civilian, all my adult life - so when I found these aircraft styled gauges, I just had to have them.
Problem being, if you hang all the gauges into the thin alloy engine turned facia, its not going to like that weight in it and it'll flex and feel flimsy. The answer is to make a doubler of alloy that will fit to the back of the facia and the gauges will then clamp it all together (with some polyurethane adhesive to help it along the way).
Marking out the doubler
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1a.jpg)
Painting up the pieces you can see through the facia
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1c.jpg)
Polyurethane bonding...I knew buying the jumbo pack of clamps would come in handy
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1e.jpg)
The instruments....still have to do a panel for the LH side where some switches are going. The long billet piece is a trans shift position indicator and brake warning light.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1g.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1i.jpg)
The speedometer has these false adjustment knobs that conceal LEDs that act as the high beam light and left and right turn indicator lights.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1l.jpg)
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Well, the boys got past the issue with the hinges...the new ones are painted and on the car, doors re-hung, and this afternoon they were working on setting up the front end (trial).
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/finalpaint3v.jpg)
Of course, they need the new bling hinges for the hood....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/finalpaint3u.jpg)
I sourced a pair of used bumper guards for the rear bumper....I had them rechromed at the same time as the back bumper and added new rubber. They don't look half bad. I just hope the polyurethane holding the rubber on stays stuck.....seems pretty good, I had to cut some that squeezed out of the join with a razor blade, so I'd say its good.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/rearbumperguardsrestored.jpg)
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:drink: I hope im not on the Hume Hwy when you go past at 320klms:lol:
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Been working on the wiring looms for the dash, I want to make it modular so I can remove and replace the dash just by disconnecting some plugs.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/P1060017.jpg)
Panel shop guys are still playing with the gaps, trying to get the nose right....they fitted up the Aerocatches yesterday. Their painter isn't back from holidays for another week, so I guess theres time for them to tweak the bodywork.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4g.jpg)
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Looks :fantastic:
those gauges are very very nice
thanks for the posts.........:hangloose:
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Great job mate
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Thanks guys.
Still playing with the dash wiring...today I got the main instruments and the starter switch wired to plugs.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1q.jpg)
Just the billet switches on the side to do now...those are a little fiddly as I have to solder the wire connections to the pins on the switches.
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Had a quiet afternoon - everyone was out, lol.
Got a chance to finish off the dash wiring.....a couple of more plugs than I intended, but with the pulse generator for the speedometer and all the button switches with LEDs in them it got a little more complicated.
Annoying soldering wires to the button switches....my small circuit board soldering iron doesn't put out enough heat to solder the wires, and the larger one I have is a bit tight to work with in the small spaces between the pins....
Heres the connections on the button switches, the LEDs light up when the switch is selected on...I tested them and they work fine.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1r.jpg)
And heres the finished dash from the rear. All the looms are designed to pass through the structure of the dash itself, so I didn't have to cut anything behind there for clearance.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/InstPanelProject1t.jpg)
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I wish I invented cable ties.
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I like cable ties...they are my friend :fantastic:
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I have a love/hate relationship with them. They are great for tidying up a wiring harness but when cut wrong they are like razor blades & tear up my arms working in tight spots
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So, I'm still doing small projects to fill in time and save time later.
Fitted up the Autometer Trans Oil and Engine Oil Temp gauges to the A pillar pod housing I got from Anvil Autos. They do lots of cool CF parts for 2nd gens.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/Apillargauges2.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/Apillargauges3.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/Apillargauges1.jpg)
And I fitted up an eye level centre brake light to the rear headliner trim retainer, as well as refinishing the front and rear trims in satin black.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/centrebrakelight1.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/centrebrakelight2.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/centrebrakelight3.jpg)
The pegs are just holding the wiring where I've bedded it into some sealant while it sets - to stop it moving around.
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OK...so we've reached the stage where theres enough progress to warrant more pics.
Car is back in pieces, getting the final undercoat - it'll be blocked and get the base colour on it next week.....theres a public holiday coming up, so its a short week, but at least it should be in the base colour.
Heres a pile of Firebird parts ready for priming.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4h.jpg)
Doors are done.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4i.jpg)
And the body freshly primed.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4k.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4l.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4m.jpg)
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WE HAVE SOME COLOUR!!!!!!
Well, its only the base colour, they still have to apply the top colour (pearl green) over the base, but he's identified a couple of extremely slight low spots he wants to fix first....so since tomorrow is a public holiday, the guys are also getting friday off to make a long weekend...so mine will sit till next week...hardening up a little.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4n.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4u.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4v.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4q.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4t.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4w.jpg)
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Finally - COLOUR!!!!!!!
They phoned me late today....seems the booth was free and the painter was keen to paint it....
Even the panel shop owner is impressed with the colour choice.
Without further delay.....the shell - freshly painted.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4x.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint4z.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5d.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5e.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5b.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5a.jpg)
Is that cool, or what? The pearl in the paint really shows off under the lights of the booth - I can't wait to see this in the sun. And this is just "off the gun". :cool: :cool:
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Looks magic............the pearl really lifts the colour....thanks for sharing :)
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NICE!! mate can't wait to see it out in the sun man that color will pop.
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Wow,now that looks awesome:cool:
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Thanks, guys.....I'm real happy how its going. :fantastic:
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Wow, that looks amazing and I bet it looks 10 times better in the flesh
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Hung around this afternoon...heres some more panels, fresh off the gun. I hope they'll be fitting the doors up tomorrow.....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5i.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5j.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5o.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5l.jpg)
Love this colour.....the camera just doesn't do it justice. Its incredibly "green"...deep jade metallic, sliding to a mint pearl depending on the viewing angle and the light. In some lights, it looks almost black.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5m.jpg)
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I went with Leigh the other day to see the car in the shop and man as Leigh said you can not see the pearl in the pics the car looks drop dead gorgeous.Maybe some video out in the sunlight may show off the pearl better.
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Hey Leigh , Have you watched a show called Gearz season 3 ep 11 has Stacy David showing how to paint a Candy Apple Green and install the classic Gauges.
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Looking awesome Lee, Can't wait to see it on the road. Good Luck:hangloose:
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Looking awesome Lee, Can't wait to see it on the road. Good Luck:hangloose:
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Thanks...
Slowly progressing......seems they have a lot of work on at the moment which has slowed my car down a bit.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5p.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5r.jpg)
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Well, some more visual progress......more panels are painted, they'll be going on tomorrow.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5w.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5x.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint5z.jpg)
Be nice to see it all in one piece and colour!
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You can see the Pearl in the lower valance but still can't beat seeing it in the flesh it is just stunning.
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At last it's starting to look like a car again....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6c.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6d.jpg)
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Hood is now in the base coat.
There'll be a couple of solid days on prepping and painting the car next week.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6n.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6o.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6m.jpg)
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Looking good Leigh.
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Thanks. :fantastic:
Car was out for it's final clean this afternoon, they cleaned out the interior, trunk etc and pressure washed the exterior (without flooding it, luckily, lol). They want to remove as much dust as possible before it goes in to the booth in the morning.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6p.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6t.jpg)
Bodyshop owner decided he wanted to use the best, hardest clear on the car.....seems its pretty expensive stuff, but its used for high end cars like Mercedes etc.
Ceramiclear - apparently, you only get 24-36 hours to remove any little imperfections and buff it up as it gets really hard and becomes tough to work.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6s.jpg)
Heres the trunk lid finished in colour and the ceramiclear.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6q.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6r.jpg)
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Turned up to the panel shop this afternoon...look what they were doing in the booth....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6u.jpg)
Heres some pics, this is straight off the gun, the clear hasn't even flowed out and settled yet....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6v.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6x.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7a.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6y.jpg)
Pretty straight, I'm happy.... :)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint6z.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7b.jpg)
This one shows how the colour changes with the angle of the lighting, at times the car looks almost black.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7c.jpg)
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these are great photos.....thanks for sharing......you can really get a feel for the overall colour now........you can actually see the depth.....quite a journey....thanks again for the ride along :)
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Leigh,you must be excited bigtime,the paint job looks spectacular...you can see right through the colour...awesome...:cool::fantastic:
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They were cutting and buffing today when I turned up, then the windscreen fitter arrived and fitted the front and rear glass. Looks sort of like a car, eh? :cool:
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7d.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7g.jpg)
They pushed it out into the daylight to have a look at the buffing job....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7n.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7o.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7p.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7q.jpg)
It was late afternoon....so I still don't have a pic with the sun directly on the paint....still looks great, the pics just don't capture the metallic or the colour changes as well as I'd like.
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More progress.....painting some of the other parts and starting on the exterior trim.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7t.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7u.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7v.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7w.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7x.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7s.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint7r.jpg)
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So, it's still dragging on....I'm pushing to have the car completed so I can bring it home tomorrow afternoon...before everything stops for Easter. I do not want my car locked away for 5 more days out of my holiday.
Progress pics.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8a.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8b.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8c.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8d.jpg)
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:fingers::fingers:.....you get it home for Easter.....sure beats chocolate!
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I saw your car on Saturday Leigh. It's turning out very nice. I had a chat to him about my car. Turns out the cost will be the same as yours, just an additional 3-5k to do the chassis as well.
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I saw your car on Saturday Leigh. It's turning out very nice. It's a real shame about that big scratch along the side. I had a chat to him about my car. Turns out the cost will be the same as yours, just an additional 3-5k to do the chassis as well.
:lol:
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Ouch.....thats not cheap....I thought you might have been able to get out of it a bit cheaper, but Alan says he'd still pull all the panels off to do it properly anyway.
I watched the guys do mine and they are a difficult car to get together properly....unlike say a unibody like the Mustang or older Falcons etc.
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As she rolled out of the paint shop this afternoon. Still a few things to be done with the paint shop..little stuff that can wait till the car is mobile and on the road.
ta-da!
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8g.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8f.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8h.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8j.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8m.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/finalpaint8n.jpg)
And finally...at home...
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%20Paint/homefrompanelshop.jpg)
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that was a really good read,and really good pics as well, I am still trying to deal with the idea of what colour to paint my next vehicle, I also have this nasty habit of doing as much as I can. My last project showed me that I can do it if I try, I am just getting to lazy to do so much in the future. That colour must really glow in the sun.
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Yeah, its great in the sun....the pearl metallic really pops!
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That looks Amazing, loving that green:)
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Hi Leigh, Looks :fantastic: nice colour and love that twin ram air, looks tuff can't wait to see it on some club runs.
Regards Mark.:cool::cool:
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I'm thinking you need another car so this can be your show car and you can get out on some runs.....and breakdown like the rest of us.......(hubbys radiator hose on the Pie Run)......keep up the good work its a beautiful car and an exciting post for the rest of us to vicariously rebuild our cars....:bow::bow::bow:
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Thanks...hip deep in wiring looms at the moment.....
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Getting closer.....
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/enginebayfinished3.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/P6250009.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/rideheight1.jpg)
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lookin good!!!!!!!
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Turned out good Leigh. The hard work is paying off. Only 4 months to go with mine. Hope the paint turns out as good as yours.
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Just beautiful....you need sunglases for under the bonnet :4: :4:
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Put electric power on the car for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.....most things seem to work, some don't.....
It didn't burn to the ground, which I have to admit is probably a good thing..... :fantastic:
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Just some updates....
had some initial problems wit hthe ignition...the new MSD stuff was dead - no sparks. Stuck a new HEI in it and it burst into life.
Ran the cam in, dropped the oil and filter and we did a bit of a tune up....runs and starts nicely.
I'm still progressing with more electrical bits and pieces ,and I've started to build the centre console....so I think that'll keep me busy for a bit.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/FirstWash2.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/FirstWash3.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%203/FirstWash1.jpg)
First drive.....
First Drive Sep12 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJUvfOkn2M#ws)
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Built up a custom centre console to suit the shifter and give a spot for instruments and switches. MDF frame and skinned in MDF. Its over at the guys who restored my dash getting vacuum molded with vinyl.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/P9280003.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA010014.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA010011.jpg)
Been sorting some electrical glitches.....now have all my exterior lights, and the dome light now works.
For info, if you are using an LED globe for the dome light, they only work when fitted one way....who knew?
Added the new repro OER brand side trims....they don't fit as easily, or as well, as the factory trims...but they don't look too bad.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA140019.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA140020.jpg)
Slowly getting there....
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The console looks great mate is the head liner in?
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The car looks fantastic Leigh :cool:
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Yeah, mate...headliner is in...factory style perforated vinyl. :cool:
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The car looks fantastic Leigh :cool:
Thanks. :)
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Did well with the centre console Leigh. Very impressed!
Tommy
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OK..big day. Lots of visual progress happening.
Picked up the covered console from the trimmer yesterday...nice job!!!!!!
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA260024.jpg)
They matched the GM grain vinyl they used for my dash.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA260026.jpg)
Today, its carpet time, followed by seatbelts and fire extinguisher mount. Also fitted the Bluetooth hands free unit for the stereo....small box that velcro's to the inside front of the console.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA270027.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA270028.jpg)
Front carpet was fun...had to split it in halves to get it in easily. I had my interior trimmer put a wide stip of velcro up the front to hold it together. At the back, the seat tracks will stop it moving around and the console holds it down.
Console needed a little adjusting to suit the carpet thickness, but fits really nicely.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA270030.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA270032.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PA270031.jpg)
Tomorrow...hope to get stuck into the kick panels, park brake and the front seats.
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Thought I might update this thread....interior is nearing completion....seats are in, finished the door trims today.
I'm sweating on the motor trimmer to finish the damn backseat that he's been sitting on since ....well, forever it seems.
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PB210008.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PB210007.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PB200006.jpg)
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(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PB170048.jpg)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m195/TA76400/71%20Firebird/71%20Firebird%204/PB170049.jpg)