'83 Cutlass Cruiser Build Thread

[liquidh8]

Got my studs for the trim clips all welded in place yesterday.
Went pretty smooth except for me burning thru the metal in a few spots from the ground ring on the uni-spotter... 😱
Given their locations, a quick little wipe of duraglass will make them go away.

View attachment 38028 View attachment 38029

I'll probably pull the passenger side doors off tomorrow...

I had the same issue. I also had to redo a few because I held the unispotter there too long. The back lower corners were impossible to get to, I could only get so far down on he D pillar. Looks good, the aluminum trim is so much better.

 

[HAFROD]

So how long till paint Blake?

 

[Blake442]

I'm waiting to see how yours turns out so I know how nice I need to make it! lol
Probably won't be ready for a couple months yet...

Been working on prepping all of the jambs on the doors and body, cleaning out all the dried up seam sealer and getting ready for primer.
Found a bit of rust starting underneath the sealer on the bottom of the right rear door that I'll need to take care of. Otherwise the passenger side is mostly ready.
I'll pull the drivers side doors off next and get that side ready so that I can prime the door jambs, 1/4 window openings and roof all at once.
I still need to pull the front clip off and clean up the windshield opening and cowl before I can start priming too...

Once the body is all in primer I can seam seal everything and do my final block on the roof, 1/4's and tailgate.
After that I'll prime and seam seal the jambs on the doors, block them out and reinstall them on the car.
Then the fenders and hood need to be stripped, filled, primed and blocked.
At that point if I haven't screwed anything up too bad, I can shoot some color on all of the jambs, mask them off and spray the car.
Lots to do!

 

[Blake442]

Pulled the front clip off today and cleaned the leftover urethane out of the windshield opening and the seam sealer from the top of the cowl.

 

[Blake442]

Pulled the drivers side doors off Tuesday to get to work on the jambs.
Spent a lot of time picking out all the dried up seam sealer. I've almost got it all out, just a little left...
Today I got the rocker panels and pinch weld area cleaned up.
I had to grind some studs off each side for the molding clips that I won't be putting back on.
If I don't drag my feet too much this week I might be able to get the jambs and cowl ready to prime next weekend...

 

[Blake442]

More prepping!
Poked around a bit at the bottom of the driver side rear door, and there's a few blisters underneath the seam sealer along the bottom edge to match the other side... Oh well, I'll worry about that once the body is primed since the rear doors are the first to go back on the car.
Finally got 100% of the dried up seam sealer removed from the body.
I used a small pick for 95% of it since it could get it out in bigger chunks and wasn't as messy.
I cleaned up what was left with a few different sized wire wheels.
A little more sanding on the cowl/firewall and then buzz down the drivers side jambs and we're ready for primer...

 

[Blake442]

Had a busy day of working on the wagon today.
Got two coats of surfacer on the roof, which will hopefully be my final prime.
Shot two coats of sealer on the window openings, cowl and door jambs too.
Took a couple pics when I got done. Check out my minty rocker panels!
I'll scuff it all up and get fresh seam sealer on everything next time I head out to work on it.

 

[HAFROD]

That is some really good progress there. I check in on you every day or two

 

[79Hurst]

Looking good Blake! You are in the final stretch can't wait to see color on it 🙂

 

[Blake442]

That is some really good progress there. I check in on you every day or two

Thanks Hafrod! I was super bummed out about the issues you ran into with your Cutlass, but I have enjoyed following along with your '55 as well!
Both will definitely be sharp cars once they're done!

Looking good Blake! You are in the final stretch can't wait to see color on it 🙂

Thanks! It's getting closer and closer, I'm just glad that I haven't kept track of how much time I have into it!