HAFRODs 78 Aeroback Salon build

[pencero]

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/78-grand-prix-project.23273/page-57#post-460781

he almost gave up on this car. I decided to give up on a cadillac I owned so I could keep buying stuff for the G without some other money pit wasting too much of my time.

 

[DRIVEN]

Man, you're so close. Maybe take a break but don't quit. This is my favorite build on the forum right now.

 

[kustomkyle]

After getting the car and parts in the sun, it's still got dark spots. This base coat must be a candy. If you sprayed it on the paint can label with 3 coats, you'd still be able to read the writing on it. It is just not solid enough for coverage. I'm going to throw out this paint and go get some DuPont in a shade close to this. I'm pissed. This is nearly $500 just in base alone already. This is exactly what I get for trying something different to save money. I'm going to get back on my 55 cause I'm just irritated

This is the problem with anything other than name brand paint most times. Before the low VOC stuff came out, you could get good results with "lesser" brand paints. Most products are also very unforgiving and require optimal conditions to use regardless of the brand. Lifting, fisheyes, orange peel, low coverage. Imron it is not. I've heard stories of people using Dupont Imron in the 80's being able to get away with a lot and never having anything but great results.

Most paint requires a tinted sealer to be used too. Total BS. Not so much because you can go without it, because you can't most times, but you shouldn't HAVE TO. The paint should have enough pigment in it to cover.

 

[pencero]

I thought I was going to enjoy painting my car but some expiriments w/ paint have me getting 2nd thoughts. I think the solution for me is pretty simple; I'll learn how to do other work 1st so I don't ruin my paint working on the car. It doesn't make sense to candy paint a car that still has a lot of other work to be done first anyway. Paint should come last of all...

 

[HAFROD]

Went to a paint store and found a Dodge color close to what I have. It is almost $500 for a gallon. No base color needed which is great. The mix ratio is 1/1. My big problem now is the wheels, engine, and underside of decklid are already sprayed in the old crap. So that will all need resprayed. I'm sticking with my plan on finishing the 55 Chevy 1st. It has to be finished by August for a show in Kentucky that I've already pre registered and have the hotel reservations made. I will strip the Salon to bare metal and start over for a couple reasons. I repainted the body in 2008 with single stage black. When I traded it to my buddy, he sanded it with 600 paper to color sand and buff. This went through to primer. He then reshot the entire body again with a synthetic single stage black which I found to gum up the paper even after all this time.(about 2-3 years) Now I have more 2K primer, black base, and the numerous coats of transparent base. This next go around will be done to my more strict guidelines. I like my door jambs body filled and slick and this is bothering me that I did not do this on the Salon. Also not removing the chassis for blasting and painting bugs me too. So when it gets back in the garage, it will be done very nice. It will not be much of a daily driver after this but more of a show car. I may do big wheels and suspension upgrades but not sure at this time. I've spent a lot of money on new parts and feel that the car needs to be done well to make a big impact. I have not seen a pro touring style on an aero and I'm dumb enough to do it. You don't have to worry about me selling it as a project because after adding up what I got in it, I could never get it out of it. I plan on keeping this car and my 55 till I'm dead anyway. It costs way too much and too much effort to build one anymore. I used to build 2-3 cars a year but now my bad back and arthritis at 42 is too taxing.

 

[HAFROD]

If you want to keep track of my 55 build I'll put in the link. There's over a thousand replies and 110,000 views. Its a pro touring style but lots of subtle details and fabrication. http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100302

 

[gearhedjon]

If you want to keep track of my 55 build I'll put in the link. There's over a thousand replies and 110,000 views. Its a pro touring style but lots of subtle details and fabrication. http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100302

I really like this odd Olds body style. I was very excited to see that you were building one. I have been following this build since the first posting. I hope you keep building the car in the style that you have chosen from the beginning. Pro touring is OK but everyone these days is doing it. When you have become frustrated with the project, as you have, just back away for a while and get a fresh perspective on things then attack it with a vengeance. I"m sure you"ll be happier with the end results. John

 

[pencero]

It's good to see you were just bugging out for a moment. I bug'd out on my cars a few times too. I always end up back at it sooner or later. It might be more reasonable to build a salon you can actually use and lower your standards a little. Outside a community as this that embraces this platform, you'd be surprised at the lack of attention it might get at some shows. You might as well build something practical you could actually use occasionally; you don't have to achieve museum quality to impress us - people are impressed to see someone building a butlass cutlass at all

 

[HAFROD]

I just fixed one dilemma. My cousin found a 1986 Monte Carlo on Facebook for $1500. He told me about it and its in route right now to my house for $1350. The lady is going to take me to my bank to get the money and they are driving it on a 1 1/2 hour trip to bring it. It has new tires and nice interior. There is no cracks in the dash either. 305 engine with 100,102 miles on the odometer. The pics they sent me of the speedo cluster shows an overdrive indicator. Does this mean its a 2004R? So now I have a daily driver. I'm excited. My wife is NOT though. She asked me if I'm going to put a bunch of money in it and I said no. I mean really, a lay down 2nd design rear spoiler, 17 inch Monte SS aluminum wheels, new paint, tune up stuff, yatta, yatta. LOL That's not a BUNCH is it???

 

[HAFROD]

Well the Monte was a bust. I gave them gas money to take it back. The rockers were gone with rust, the dash pad did have cracks, the windshield had a small crack, the RH fender/header was damaged making the headlight aim down, vinyl top had been peeled off and had bad rust around rear windows, and the new tires were all mix match. I knew it was too good to be true. They also had cut all the computer wiring up and had an Edelbrock carb on it. AC compressor and dryer was gone too. The lady was apologetic and said should have looked at it better. They offered it to me for $1000 but I passed anyway. I'm not looking to buy a cheap project car. I'd rather spend another thousand bucks on a nicer driver. The rust was the killer on the deal but she said they would have to mail me the title because it had not come in yet. RED FLAG,,,,, I'm sure not paying cash for a car and not get paperwork with it. This is exactly why I don't buy a car from ebay. They always look good in pictures