WOW that is some good progress, the paint looks amazing! :thumbsup:
this definitely gives me motivation to work on my late 2nd gen project!

Nice work! Love the color, I hope your airbrush guy knows what he's doing. Are you still going with two-tone? :cool:

2 tone has been shelved. couldn't get it to look right. Going with solid at the moment. The 2 tone kept making the car appear tall and not low to the ground.

It is rather amazing how ‘rough’ clear lays. While it look nice, there is room for improvement. It is just a matter of what one is willing to accept as a finished product. Been enjoying the fun of wet sanding the clear for around 30 hours so far. I have the body, trunk lid, hinge cover, and doors done. I start with 1000 grit and see how ‘rough’ it is afterwards. If it is rough, I go to 800 then back to 1000, go over that with 1500 and then finish with 2000. It is better to go to a courser grit than to press hard with a finer grit. 1500 will buff out, but with some effort. The 2000 allows for easier buffing. You can actually see the color increase in depth the finer you go. The doors have been buffed as well an they look very nice and deep. Tough to do on a metallic color.

Body and parts done up to 2000 grit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...o2000grit8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...o2000grit5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...grit10-268.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...grit10-261.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...grit10-264.jpg

Buffed door
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...door10-252.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...door10-254.jpg

Wow, that is looking really great! :hail:

Body, bumpers and some small parts are buffed. Some of the smalls had to be resprayed, but all good now. Waiting for the air brush artist to get his design together so I can finish the hood & fenders. Paint has an incredible shine and depth to it considering the color. cleaning will start next week. That ought to be fun. Hopefully I may begin assembly.

Interior is in the works, I will have to redye the interior again to match. The original Camel Tan does not jive well with this color. May even wrap that plastics in leather. I’d use distressed pieces I have laying around than cover nice originals.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d1-13-1110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-111.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-114.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-115.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-113.jpg

I see a 1st gen
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-116.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ed1-13-119.jpg

Very nice. Paint looks killer.:cheers:

Moving along on assembly. Trunk lid and doors are installed and aligned. Spending extra time during the earlier body work stages paid off as both doors were aligned and installed in less than 1 hour. Use the guide holes I drilled to assist and confirm. Dissembled, cleaned, painted and polished the tail lights. Most of the electrical is installed sans the main interior harness which attaches to the dash. Not sure if I’ll run speakers in the doors, so I ran wiring to the doors just incase. Began installation of the window mechanisms. All tracks and motors were cleaned and lubed. New door lock actuators will be installed along with new glass. Leaning towards the smoke tint glass vs the green tint. Just need to see if I can get the rear window tinted to match. Picked up key fob door and trunk remote popper. That will get wired once the mechanicals are done as I have some minor electrical work to finish anyway.

Debating on which T top weather stripping to use. The original GM are in decent condition and fit well, but show their age in some areas. I know there from the late 80’s vintage. Tried a set of Metro seals and while the look nice, fit is so-so. Being that is not critical at the moment, I’ll work with them before gluing them.

Working on adapting a 3rd gen steering column and a modern wiper motor. The wiper motor will fit w/ an adaptor plate, however, getting the variable speeds to work with the stock switch is an issue w/ adding a resistor block. I am hoping the 3rd gen switch resistances are favorable to the new motor. Working with an old model kit to design the interior color scheme. Seats will be ordered soon. I want to retain a tan interior, but will most likely have some black accents to mesh with the exterior color. The stock Camel tan looks like puke against the Goldmine Pearl.

Next on the list:
1) finish installing window mechanisms, power locks and door moldings
2) Install new leaf springs. Original ones arched too much during sitting uninstalled and powdercoating. New ones have a stiffer spring rate to match the front springs and overall suspension design.
3) Remove ‘roller’ wheels and install good wheels along with brakes.
Plan to have this done this week.
4) Get airbrush artist to finish up design and paint bird and lettering. Cant hang fenders, hood or rear spoiler until that is done. I like his work and hate to change artist. Luckily no money has been spent. He gets paid once it is finished.

Lights
Before and after blasting
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ightresto1.jpg

Painted & polished
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ightresto4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ightresto8.jpg

Staring to look like a car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...installed1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...installed4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...installed6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...installed1.jpg

Hinges do not actually reveal any grey sealer, but the camera picks it up. Most likely, while there is color there, it is thin and the characteristics of HOK paints. It will be touched up if needed before the fenders are installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...installed2.jpg

The paint looks beautiful. Don't you love it when your hard work pays you back ten fold. Nice work.

looking good!!