'83 Cutlass Cruiser Build Thread
- Thread starter Blake442
- Start date
So last thursday I sanded and buffed my rear air-deflector and my main front bumper filler piece.
They had sprayed out super dry, but I figured I'd try and buff my way out of it before conceding to re-clear them.
They look much better now, but I didn't take any pictures to prove it...
My buddy left the window open that's right above my work bench so Ziggy could have some fresh air, and then it rained really hard.
The only casualty was my roll of pinstriping tape that I had bought, so there's $45 down the tube... and I don't remember where I got it...
Took saturday and today off from working on the car to help my mom and sister get ready for their annual garage sale.
My motives were a little selfish though since now there is almost enough room in the garage for the wagon once it's ready!
Car show this weekend, then it's back to the grind to try and finish this thing up before the end of the summer...
They had sprayed out super dry, but I figured I'd try and buff my way out of it before conceding to re-clear them.
They look much better now, but I didn't take any pictures to prove it...
My buddy left the window open that's right above my work bench so Ziggy could have some fresh air, and then it rained really hard.
The only casualty was my roll of pinstriping tape that I had bought, so there's $45 down the tube... and I don't remember where I got it...
Took saturday and today off from working on the car to help my mom and sister get ready for their annual garage sale.
My motives were a little selfish though since now there is almost enough room in the garage for the wagon once it's ready!
Car show this weekend, then it's back to the grind to try and finish this thing up before the end of the summer...
Well after taking over a week off, it was back to work on the wagon this week...
I got a bit of a slow start as I plotted out my plan of attack for the rest of the project.
The rear air deflector is now on there for good, and I popped the screw covers on to make it official.
Next up I did a quick test fit of the header panel to make sure the fenders and hood were in the right spots.
It's not lined up in the picture, just resting in place... and after that I got started with my repair.
First I sanded the whole thing down with 400 to knock out the orange peel in the clear.
Then I dabbed in a few coats of color and topped it off by dabbing in a few coats of clear.
I elected to fill the chip in this way as opposed to sanding and priming my way over it, and then attempting to blend in the color.
Doing it the 'right' way opened up way too much potential for the repair to look even worse than the chip... so I cheated.
Next time I head out I'll knock down my little build up of clear so it's level with the rest of the panel and then re-clear the whole thing.
I was going to do it today, but it's super rainy/humid and I had to take one of my cats to the vet anyways...
Will the spot be noticable? probably... But I'd rather notice a tiny spot than a huge halo of mismatched color.
I got a bit of a slow start as I plotted out my plan of attack for the rest of the project.
The rear air deflector is now on there for good, and I popped the screw covers on to make it official.
Next up I did a quick test fit of the header panel to make sure the fenders and hood were in the right spots.
It's not lined up in the picture, just resting in place... and after that I got started with my repair.
First I sanded the whole thing down with 400 to knock out the orange peel in the clear.
Then I dabbed in a few coats of color and topped it off by dabbing in a few coats of clear.
I elected to fill the chip in this way as opposed to sanding and priming my way over it, and then attempting to blend in the color.
Doing it the 'right' way opened up way too much potential for the repair to look even worse than the chip... so I cheated.
Next time I head out I'll knock down my little build up of clear so it's level with the rest of the panel and then re-clear the whole thing.
I was going to do it today, but it's super rainy/humid and I had to take one of my cats to the vet anyways...
Will the spot be noticable? probably... But I'd rather notice a tiny spot than a huge halo of mismatched color.
Hafrod, if you can't find your radiator opening braces, I have an extra set on the shelf...
Well I've had a lot on my plate the past couple weeks, but I've managed to keep plugging away at the wagon as much as i can.
I got the header panel re-cleared and it turned out pretty good. I've been letting it cure for a while before I give it the sand and buff...
Perfect? No... but it's not as noticeable as you think once you back away from it...
Most of the rest of my time has been filled with cleaning up small parts and hardware.
As you can see in my under-hood shots I've been painting my fasteners blue and my clips green, much like was done on early G-cars at the factory. It gives the eyes a little more to look at since there isn't much else going on in the engine compartment, plus it's a little more fun than having everything black...
I ordered up a few different samples of different shades of woodgrain to see which I like best before I order the full amount.
Stole a 7-blade fan from the stash of parts for the Skylark and ordered a new clutch.
I also got a new battery tray, and I'll finally order up the starter this week too.
Plenty to keep me occupied!
Well I've had a lot on my plate the past couple weeks, but I've managed to keep plugging away at the wagon as much as i can.
I got the header panel re-cleared and it turned out pretty good. I've been letting it cure for a while before I give it the sand and buff...
Perfect? No... but it's not as noticeable as you think once you back away from it...
Most of the rest of my time has been filled with cleaning up small parts and hardware.
As you can see in my under-hood shots I've been painting my fasteners blue and my clips green, much like was done on early G-cars at the factory. It gives the eyes a little more to look at since there isn't much else going on in the engine compartment, plus it's a little more fun than having everything black...
I ordered up a few different samples of different shades of woodgrain to see which I like best before I order the full amount.
Stole a 7-blade fan from the stash of parts for the Skylark and ordered a new clutch.
I also got a new battery tray, and I'll finally order up the starter this week too.
Plenty to keep me occupied!
Looks great Blake!
Looks like a mid to late 50's GM truck in the shop? I had a 59 GMC shortbox fleetside I bought in the early 80's from what would be my future father inlaw. Drove it for a couple years or so but body was a little rough so I redid it before it rotted away and sadly it sit while saving to restore the rest of the truck. I sold it back to him in the late 80's so he had a truck to use after he bought an acreage. He recently sold the acreage and the truck has gone to my brother inlaw and is getting a complete resto.
Looks like a mid to late 50's GM truck in the shop? I had a 59 GMC shortbox fleetside I bought in the early 80's from what would be my future father inlaw. Drove it for a couple years or so but body was a little rough so I redid it before it rotted away and sadly it sit while saving to restore the rest of the truck. I sold it back to him in the late 80's so he had a truck to use after he bought an acreage. He recently sold the acreage and the truck has gone to my brother inlaw and is getting a complete resto.
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