IROC Wagon Project
- Thread starter ssbrewskyaz
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Hi Scott. As usual, your work on the wagon looks really good. You said that the rad support turned out flashier than you wanted. How was the support refinished exactly? Was it cleaned, then clearcoated somehow, and if so, what was the process that was used? To me, it looks really good, and as you pointed out, by the time the car is fully assembled it won't be all that noticeable. I had a look at the parts that you soaked in WD40. The finish on them looks pretty good as well, quite natural. I'm assuming that after you soaked the parts, you left them out to dry in the Arizona sun, is that correct? I know that WD40 has a tendency to evaporate over time. Do you have any idea or hope of how long the finish on those parts will last? I know you said that clearcoating the parts isn't an option for you, so I'm assuming that painting them with some kind of natural looking steel or cast gray paint probably won't work for you either. Please keep up the good work and the updates (the larger font type works for me too!). Thanks very much.
Seeing how it’s Easter week I decided to take a couple of days off. Went to Los Angeles on Monday and came back on Tuesday. Holiday weeks are usually pretty docile even though we’ve been in the news of late more than I like. That’s the reason we never revel in other manufacturers’ misery. The next call could be your turn in the barrel.
Beyond that, it provides me a couple of extra days to work on the car. Seems like a lot of parts cleaning lately but I have so many irons in the fire I need to keep moving on several fronts.
One of the things I wanted to mention a little off topic is the last two times I was posting and making a bunch of changes, the page closed and I lost all of my work. That just ain’t right, nearly just didn’t redo it but did in the end, a lot of extra work. Message said something to the effect the web page timed out. That said, note to self, either work in Word off line and then copy and paste into the post or submit and edit early and often.
One of the things I wanted to get done was to get all of the parts and pieces of the interior that need to be painted out of the car and in one huge pile. That photo I took of most of the parts that needed to be recolored was about seventy-five percent of the total parts that need attention. The dash wasn’t in the photo nor was the seat base or the seat back along with several other trim pieces.
Collectively, there’s a lot of flippin parts to paint. Luckily SEM makes all the stuff to clean, condition and paint all this stuff. I’ve had a couple of very helpful and insightful PM’s on the actual painting process. I really do appreciate the information guys! This is not my day job and painting I usually leave to my body guy. He’s buried right now so I’m doing the deal.
Here’s what your back seat and load floor extension looks all like together
Here’s what your back seat looks like apart
All of this stuff needs to be painted too. I supposed I could have masked it off and sprayed it but the seat has to come apart for reupholstery and cushions any ways
Here’s what your load floor looks like apart
Here’s another example of parts I didn’t take good enough photos of. These are beaded like the outer window felts so I suspect they mount to the back glass somehow? I don’t know but I’m sure someone does.
One piece I've cleaned but not polished, the other has not been cleaned.
I added some quarter inch spacers to the core support cross braces to deal with the intersecting interference
Started cleaning some of the stainless trim today as well. All these pieces are junk in my estimation so I’m in the market for new used. I’m missing a couple of pieces too. Not sure what happened there but I can’t find the stupid things. I know for sure I’m missing one right of the big piece and probably the right of the small piece. I taped these all up by position when I took the car apart so it makes sense (at least to me) that I'd be missing multiple pieces from a particular side
OK, so here’s a question for some of the Royal Smart People out there; where in the heck do these things go? They’re a real thin composite material kinda like Mylar but more brittle. I suspect they originally went behind some of the stainless so it wasn’t metal to metal and I’ll bet nobody repops them either. Some of them aren’t in bad shape but a couple of the shorter ones are in the crumbling zone. Wasn’t really sure on the application or why they’re there, just guessing really
Some of the other parts I cleaned were the old seals. I’m not entirely certain where these go either. I hear tell that some Jeep seal works in place of one of these. Maybe someone can point it out so I can be on the lookout. If you’re wondering how to clean this stuff, Lacquer thinner, rubber gloves and scuff pads. It makes the stuff look brand new. I use lacquer thinner to clean everything.
There are several different seals in this photo. I don’t really know for sure where any of them go other than at the rear of the car. Not that I can’t figure it out at some point but as of right now I’m only guessing.
Here’s one of the seal profiles
Here’s another one of the seal profiles. Jack took this picture. (Of course I’m kidding, little inside joke
Here’s another one of the profiles
Trying to test fit the under hood stiffening bars. I’m thinking now I should wait until the front fenders are mounted
Usually the cars have dimples in the sheet metal if there’s an option that could go there. You can see a dimple to the right of the paint boo boo. I believe this is where the tie bar attaches?
It’s hard to believe how dirty this thing gets just sitting here. It’s not like the doors are open all week
Well from here I go over to put a post on the Wanted thread
That's it for a Thursday. More to come hopefully this weekend. ...
Scott, …
:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink:
Beyond that, it provides me a couple of extra days to work on the car. Seems like a lot of parts cleaning lately but I have so many irons in the fire I need to keep moving on several fronts.
One of the things I wanted to mention a little off topic is the last two times I was posting and making a bunch of changes, the page closed and I lost all of my work. That just ain’t right, nearly just didn’t redo it but did in the end, a lot of extra work. Message said something to the effect the web page timed out. That said, note to self, either work in Word off line and then copy and paste into the post or submit and edit early and often.
One of the things I wanted to get done was to get all of the parts and pieces of the interior that need to be painted out of the car and in one huge pile. That photo I took of most of the parts that needed to be recolored was about seventy-five percent of the total parts that need attention. The dash wasn’t in the photo nor was the seat base or the seat back along with several other trim pieces.
Collectively, there’s a lot of flippin parts to paint. Luckily SEM makes all the stuff to clean, condition and paint all this stuff. I’ve had a couple of very helpful and insightful PM’s on the actual painting process. I really do appreciate the information guys! This is not my day job and painting I usually leave to my body guy. He’s buried right now so I’m doing the deal.
Here’s what your back seat and load floor extension looks all like together
Here’s what your back seat looks like apart
All of this stuff needs to be painted too. I supposed I could have masked it off and sprayed it but the seat has to come apart for reupholstery and cushions any ways
Here’s what your load floor looks like apart
Here’s another example of parts I didn’t take good enough photos of. These are beaded like the outer window felts so I suspect they mount to the back glass somehow? I don’t know but I’m sure someone does.
One piece I've cleaned but not polished, the other has not been cleaned.
I added some quarter inch spacers to the core support cross braces to deal with the intersecting interference
Started cleaning some of the stainless trim today as well. All these pieces are junk in my estimation so I’m in the market for new used. I’m missing a couple of pieces too. Not sure what happened there but I can’t find the stupid things. I know for sure I’m missing one right of the big piece and probably the right of the small piece. I taped these all up by position when I took the car apart so it makes sense (at least to me) that I'd be missing multiple pieces from a particular side
OK, so here’s a question for some of the Royal Smart People out there; where in the heck do these things go? They’re a real thin composite material kinda like Mylar but more brittle. I suspect they originally went behind some of the stainless so it wasn’t metal to metal and I’ll bet nobody repops them either. Some of them aren’t in bad shape but a couple of the shorter ones are in the crumbling zone. Wasn’t really sure on the application or why they’re there, just guessing really
Some of the other parts I cleaned were the old seals. I’m not entirely certain where these go either. I hear tell that some Jeep seal works in place of one of these. Maybe someone can point it out so I can be on the lookout. If you’re wondering how to clean this stuff, Lacquer thinner, rubber gloves and scuff pads. It makes the stuff look brand new. I use lacquer thinner to clean everything.
There are several different seals in this photo. I don’t really know for sure where any of them go other than at the rear of the car. Not that I can’t figure it out at some point but as of right now I’m only guessing.
Here’s one of the seal profiles
Here’s another one of the seal profiles. Jack took this picture. (Of course I’m kidding, little inside joke
Here’s another one of the profiles
Trying to test fit the under hood stiffening bars. I’m thinking now I should wait until the front fenders are mounted
Usually the cars have dimples in the sheet metal if there’s an option that could go there. You can see a dimple to the right of the paint boo boo. I believe this is where the tie bar attaches?
It’s hard to believe how dirty this thing gets just sitting here. It’s not like the doors are open all week
Well from here I go over to put a post on the Wanted thread
That's it for a Thursday. More to come hopefully this weekend. ...
Scott, …
:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink:
Hey Jeff,
Sorry, didn't mean to ignore your question on the core support.
Initially what you suggested is exactly what I asked for but the guy said I wasn't going to like it. (Blast and Clear Coat). He basically said it would be dull and unremarkable in appearance. Some times ya just gotta go with the people that should be in the know. So I did, they applied some aluminum color and other than being a touch more shiny than I care for, it looks as I would have wanted it to. I just didn't want the impression that I chromed or polished the stupid thing.
Thank you and everyone else for the nice comments. I hope some of this stuff help others building these cars. ...
Scott, ...
Sorry, didn't mean to ignore your question on the core support.
Initially what you suggested is exactly what I asked for but the guy said I wasn't going to like it. (Blast and Clear Coat). He basically said it would be dull and unremarkable in appearance. Some times ya just gotta go with the people that should be in the know. So I did, they applied some aluminum color and other than being a touch more shiny than I care for, it looks as I would have wanted it to. I just didn't want the impression that I chromed or polished the stupid thing.
Thank you and everyone else for the nice comments. I hope some of this stuff help others building these cars. ...
Scott, ...
Hey Scott,
The beaded strips for the quarter windows just slip under the lower moulding and sill. Mine are in rough shape and won't be going back on the car. They are a known water and dirt trap. However, I may look into a plastic beaded strip to replace the metal one.
Regarding the rubber strips. It looks like one of them might be the hood to cowl seal, right above the firewall.
As for the thin plastic moulding strips, as far as I know no one reproduces them. Blake's recommendation is to use strips from '80's B-body windshield mouldings...that's if you can find then in suitable condition. They're sightly wider than the G-body stuff, but seem to work nicely. They don't exactly have the same type of installation groove, but they will suffice.
I was able to find a few good moulding strips at the junkyard, but could use a few more. Many of them are dry and brittle at the edges.
G-body Parts has reproduction windshield strips.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info. ... fe62417c2d
BTW, I agree about using lacquer thinner on the strips helps bring them back to life...providing that they're not completely dried out.
It's good to see some parts finding their way back on the car... :wink:
The beaded strips for the quarter windows just slip under the lower moulding and sill. Mine are in rough shape and won't be going back on the car. They are a known water and dirt trap. However, I may look into a plastic beaded strip to replace the metal one.
Regarding the rubber strips. It looks like one of them might be the hood to cowl seal, right above the firewall.
As for the thin plastic moulding strips, as far as I know no one reproduces them. Blake's recommendation is to use strips from '80's B-body windshield mouldings...that's if you can find then in suitable condition. They're sightly wider than the G-body stuff, but seem to work nicely. They don't exactly have the same type of installation groove, but they will suffice.
I was able to find a few good moulding strips at the junkyard, but could use a few more. Many of them are dry and brittle at the edges.
G-body Parts has reproduction windshield strips.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info. ... fe62417c2d
BTW, I agree about using lacquer thinner on the strips helps bring them back to life...providing that they're not completely dried out.
It's good to see some parts finding their way back on the car... :wink:
ssbrewskyaz said:Here’s another example of parts I didn’t take good enough photos of. These are beaded like the outer window felts so I suspect they mount to the back glass somehow? I don’t know but I’m sure someone does.
Those slip below the lower 1/4 glass trim.
OK, so here’s a question for some of the Royal Smart People out there; where in the heck do these things go? They’re a real thin composite material kinda like Mylar but more brittle. I suspect they originally went behind some of the stainless so it wasn’t metal to metal and I’ll bet nobody repops them either. Some of them aren’t in bad shape but a couple of the shorter ones are in the crumbling zone. Wasn’t really sure on the application or why they’re there, just guessing really
Those slip behind the 1/4 glass. They're for keeping stuff from getting underneath the trim.
There are several different seals in this photo. I don’t really know for sure where any of them go other than at the rear of the car. Not that I can’t figure it out at some point but as of right now I’m only guessing.
Those are the seals for the rear hatch area. The thin one goes around the spare tire door in the cargo floor.
Blake,
I forgot about the thin edge trim that goes around the spare tire door. The back of the car has been buried with parts and junk, so I haven't seen it in a while. :lol:
So the other seals are part of the original rear hatch seal, only dissected. They did look familiar.
I forgot about the thin edge trim that goes around the spare tire door. The back of the car has been buried with parts and junk, so I haven't seen it in a while. :lol:
So the other seals are part of the original rear hatch seal, only dissected. They did look familiar.
Got a little more done today, Good Friday, kind of an oxymoron, every Friday is Good Friday, just not the one before Easter.
Blake I appreciate your confirmation on a couple things. That said, I have a couple of additional questions. So on the beaded quarter window trim, do you know what actually holds the pieces in place? Does it get wedged somehow under the molding retaining clips? It’s been a long, long time since I pulled those pieces off.
Went out and looked at my 81 and it has something completely different for moldings around the glass. It’s a lot cheaper in manufacture and really, at this point, not reusable at all. I was just complaining to myself yesterday about how cheesy the stainless wanna be look alike moldings from my 80 were. I guess it's all relative.
I noticed today that the windshield moldings have that Mylar like stuff still attached to them. Thing is, that stuff is the same width as the moldings. The moldings that go on the side / quarter glass are real thin line stuff and the pieces of the Mylar I have are real wide, like two and a half inches wide. The molding is only about three eights to a half inch wide. I imagine this stuff isn’t mandatory but as long as I have it, I’ll use it if I can figure out how it applies.
I was going to reuse the door panels that were originally on the car and cut the necessary extra holes for switches and other stuff. Turns out one of the sets of door panels I purchased early on has all the holes already there. Being that everything has to be color matched, I’ll use them instead.
Got most of the pseudo stainless door trim sorted and cleaned today. It’s all bundled up so the polisher can make quick work of it hopefully. I have some pieces I’d like to replace but if none become available between now and when I need to put it on, I’ll have the guy fix it the best he can.
I figured out where those beat up pieces I was talking about yesterday are attached but I can’t figure out how I ended up with all crappy ones. I figured if I had extras that I’d have nice pieces somewhere that I had replaced. Not the case, so I took the two off my parts wagon today. The left hand piece has one little scratch I think the tin bender can repair.
These are the little screws that hold these pieces on. Heaven forbid they would use a quarter inch screw.
These are the quarter glass moldings I was talking about. I now know I’m missing the passenger side (right) upright molding. I have the left but it’s in crappy condition, so I really need both.
Here are a couple of photos of the piece(s) I need for sure.
This is the dark color I chose for the interior. I didn’t take a photo of the contrasting light color I’m using. I want the car to be light on the inside. After the sixties, seventies and eighties, I’m so done with dark interiors. To each his/her own but I think I was on a stretch of twenty cars in a row with black interiors.
What, not everybody paints the pedals?
This shows the original interior color, the color I thought I was going to use and the color I’m using.
I’ve been doing some heavy duty searching for G-Body Glass Run Channel and came up with this little gem. It might even be the side I need, haven’t checked the part number yet.
Scott, ...
:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink:
Blake I appreciate your confirmation on a couple things. That said, I have a couple of additional questions. So on the beaded quarter window trim, do you know what actually holds the pieces in place? Does it get wedged somehow under the molding retaining clips? It’s been a long, long time since I pulled those pieces off.
Went out and looked at my 81 and it has something completely different for moldings around the glass. It’s a lot cheaper in manufacture and really, at this point, not reusable at all. I was just complaining to myself yesterday about how cheesy the stainless wanna be look alike moldings from my 80 were. I guess it's all relative.
I noticed today that the windshield moldings have that Mylar like stuff still attached to them. Thing is, that stuff is the same width as the moldings. The moldings that go on the side / quarter glass are real thin line stuff and the pieces of the Mylar I have are real wide, like two and a half inches wide. The molding is only about three eights to a half inch wide. I imagine this stuff isn’t mandatory but as long as I have it, I’ll use it if I can figure out how it applies.
I was going to reuse the door panels that were originally on the car and cut the necessary extra holes for switches and other stuff. Turns out one of the sets of door panels I purchased early on has all the holes already there. Being that everything has to be color matched, I’ll use them instead.
Got most of the pseudo stainless door trim sorted and cleaned today. It’s all bundled up so the polisher can make quick work of it hopefully. I have some pieces I’d like to replace but if none become available between now and when I need to put it on, I’ll have the guy fix it the best he can.
I figured out where those beat up pieces I was talking about yesterday are attached but I can’t figure out how I ended up with all crappy ones. I figured if I had extras that I’d have nice pieces somewhere that I had replaced. Not the case, so I took the two off my parts wagon today. The left hand piece has one little scratch I think the tin bender can repair.
These are the little screws that hold these pieces on. Heaven forbid they would use a quarter inch screw.
These are the quarter glass moldings I was talking about. I now know I’m missing the passenger side (right) upright molding. I have the left but it’s in crappy condition, so I really need both.
Here are a couple of photos of the piece(s) I need for sure.
This is the dark color I chose for the interior. I didn’t take a photo of the contrasting light color I’m using. I want the car to be light on the inside. After the sixties, seventies and eighties, I’m so done with dark interiors. To each his/her own but I think I was on a stretch of twenty cars in a row with black interiors.
What, not everybody paints the pedals?
This shows the original interior color, the color I thought I was going to use and the color I’m using.
I’ve been doing some heavy duty searching for G-Body Glass Run Channel and came up with this little gem. It might even be the side I need, haven’t checked the part number yet.
Scott, ...
:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :wink:
Hey Scott. Thanks for your response about the rad support. I'm also curious about your experiment with dipping parts in WD40. I know that the climate in your area is usually warm and dry, so hopefully the parts that you've dipped will stay clean for awhile. I'm assuming that you just left them outside to dry in the sun after you pulled them out of their WD40 bath. Do you have any expectations or hopes of how long this process will hold up? I've tried to replicate a natural metal finish on a few things over the years, but around here, with the climate that we have, I usually use some kind of cast grey or aluminum paint, and sometimes some clear coat over that.
I have a few of those old Shamrock dairy milk crates with the steel band around them too... :lol:
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