This process was highly experimental. The goal was to
have the car looking basically as it did entering the
shop (bright orange with white stripes) but in the class
we were not allowed to paint a whole car, we could only
prime the panels that we had worked on. So my search
started for a primer that was bright enough orange to
look good.
Body
Repairing and updating
the body work from
the past
Shaved Marker Lights
I used the TIG welder on the rear marker lights since I
could use a hammer and dolly on and a MIG welder for the fronts since I did
not plan on taking the fenders off.
Smoothed Body Seams
This project did not go as planned at all! Originally I
ground out all the seam sealer in the body seams and used a panel bonder to
smooth the lines. The first time I jacked up the car they all cracked. I
then ground it all back out again and welded them. I ground down the excess
metal and used filler to flatten. I had a couple days between the last
application of filler and primer so the primer did end up cracking from the
filler shrinking. Next time around I will allow more time to let the filler
do its thing.
Front License Plate
I used 18 gauge mild steel to make little squares to fill in
the holes for the front license plate carriage bolts. I used the MIG welder
to weld them in to keep the panel from warping.
Shaved Antenna
I cut out a piece of 18 gauge in a circle and MIG welded to
keep the panel from warping. I then used filler after grinding down the
weld.
Shaved Gas Cap/Trunk Lock
The gas cap filler neck I cut out on Beverly sheers and
rolled a slight bow to with the English wheel. I then fit it to the factory
opening.
Shaved emblems
MIG welded all emblem holes to help the clean look.
Bumper Bolt/Studs
I cut the heads off the carriage bolts that normally hold
the bumpers to the bumper brackets. I then welded them flush with the outer
bumper surface, I ground down the welds and used filler to get them smooth.
I painted them with self etch then high build primer. To match the look of
the car
Paint
From Shiny to dull, on
purpose
Primer
I had to make a different primer out of white red orange
and a little brown to get a color that would be covered by orange well.
Guide Coat
I then chose red for the guide coat and sprayed it on real quick
Block Sanding
After millions of hours of blocking I came up with this
Jaming
I pulled it back into the booth and began to jam and then reinstalled the
doors deck lid and hood for final paint
Final Primer
Final layer of paint was laid out
Inside Panels
Painted Inside the panels DP90 and taped off at weather
stripping line so that there would be no visible lines and the inside of the
door will match the vinyl
Assembly
Reassembly began
Masking Stripes
Back at home I started laying out the stripes
