BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

I love nice new parts.
The new lenses should be nice and bright with the new LED arrays..

You'll more than likely have to scuff up the exposed chrome on the tag pocket in order to paint it. I know I had to do that to mine...and probably hit it with some etch primer.
 
And that is the way to do it for sure. But I am jambing the car and making the paint all nice with the panels off, then back masking everything with the nice 3m foam tape. I have a long 36" durablock that will span the panels nicely when I am blocking out the slicksand after the car is jambed and assembled for the last time. doing it this way will ensure I have a nice "flat" surface from panel to panel. The color is so dark, I have to treat it like black paint.

Yeah, I didn't do that lol. My panels and door gaps were all put back the way it rolled off the assembly line, which isn't very good...
I'm leaning really hard on the "just like the factory did it" mentality as my way to excuse all of my shortcuts!
Although it has inadvertently turned out to be a surprisingly authentic restoration, if I wanted to get smart and call it that haha...
Your car is going to be really top notch! :banana: :wax: I just hope I finish first so it's not obvious right away how much nicer yours will be lol!

So who makes the license plate pocket? Are they the same as El Caminos?
How does the plating look? Good or cheapy?
Mine is just starting to lift and has the typical sag across the top that they all do so I'd like to replace it...
 
Yeah, I didn't do that lol. My panels and door gaps were all put back the way it rolled off the assembly line, which isn't very good...
I'm leaning really hard on the "just like the factory did it" mentality as my way to excuse all of my shortcuts!
Although it has inadvertently turned out to be a surprisingly authentic restoration, if I wanted to get smart and call it that haha...
Your car is going to be really top notch! :banana: :wax: I just hope I finish first so it's not obvious right away how much nicer yours will be lol!

So who makes the license plate pocket? Are they the same as El Caminos?
How does the plating look? Good or cheapy?
Mine is just starting to lift and has the typical sag across the top that they all do so I'd like to replace it...

Blake my 83 Malibu wagon was black, and after all the work on the panels it really paid off in the end with the dark color, and no chrome. With no chrome there is less to draw the eye from the paint.

And who you kidding, your wagons gonna look awesome!

I bought the pocket from rock auto, It was labeled as a goodmark piece. The chrome is nice, but even the new piece has the sag at the top, albeit not as bad. I broke the original one I had trying to fix the bow, by taking a head gun to the top and trying to straiten it out. Instead it cracked in like 3 places.

I love nice new parts.
The new lenses should be nice and bright with the new LED arrays..

You'll more than likely have to scuff up the exposed chrome on the tag pocket in order to paint it. I know I had to do that to mine...and probably hit it with some etch primer.

Jack, that is what I was hoping. The old original lenses I had were just to faded and foggy for me to be comfortable putting those nice new LEDs in them.

I agree with the pocket, I'll scuff up the chrome plating, maybe ever blast it to etch it, and spray some black epoxy on it, then the black base and clear with the flattener in it.
 
My front and rear door weather stripping has arrived. Made Metro, hopefully it fits well. Anything is better than nothing though so well see over the winter when I can install it, after paint.

IMG_20151112_132843.jpg
 
I had Metro seals on my wagon before and I was happy with them.
I plan on buying another set once mine is ready to go back together...
If you flip way back into my thread I have a lot of pictures of them.
Keep it up! :banana:
 
Last edited:
Jim,
I think you'll be happy with the Metro seals...I am. I got mine from RockAuto...but of course was drop shipped from Metro.

Blake don't have to go far, they're made in his hometown...the Minneapolis area. I don't know if they'll sell them direct, though.

I will get that trim out to you within the next day or so, I had to make an odd shaped box for them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rktpwrd
I'm tr
I had Metro seals on my wagon before and I was happy with them.
I plan on buying another set once mine is ready to go back together...
If you flip way back into my thread I have a lot of pictures of them.
Keep it up! :banana:
Good to hear, I do recall looking through your thread and seeing them.

I may get to do some little odds and ends this weekend, re-assemble the hinges and maybe start on the taillights. I have work so we'll see.

I am playing catch up to you, lol
 
Jim,
I think you'll be happy with the Metro seals...I am. I got mine from RockAuto...but of course was drop shipped from Metro.

Blake don't have to go far, they're made in his hometown...the Minneapolis area. I don't know if they'll sell them direct, though.

I will get that trim out to you within the next day or so, I had to make an odd shaped box for them.
Jack, they seem like nice quality. And again, don't kill yourself on that trim . When you get it you get it out. I've come to the conclusion I may have to fabricate some sort of clips for them. The time to do it is when the glass is out I think. This will allow me access on both sides.
 
Jack, they seem like nice quality. And again, don't kill yourself on that trim . When you get it you get it out. I've come to the conclusion I may have to fabricate some sort of clips for them. The time to do it is when the glass is out I think. This will allow me access on both sides.
Jim,
Don't give up yet...they're out there, we just haven't hit on the right source yet. I just thought of something...unfortunately, I threw out the old clips. Someone who has access to a 3D printer could possibly duplicate them.

As for the door seals, I don't think you'll be disappointed. They do look like they're made well.
 
Are 3d printed parts strong enough?Interesting idea. I have an idea on what to do, I just have to try it out.

Tonight I started working on getting the LED taillights done, so pics to come on that. I have been taking writing up an article for the how to section to go along with it.

I can't wait to see them done.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rktpwrd

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor