Sneak peak at my 66 Cutlass

[V8TV]

This is great stuff! I might have missed it, but what did it cost you for the zinc plating on the hood hinges, etc.?

[gearheads78]

Originally Posted by V8TV

This is great stuff! I might have missed it, but what did it cost you for the zinc plating on the hood hinges, etc.?

Thank you. I took the original big bunch of stuff and it was 275.00 I was so happy with how it turned out I took another small amount and it was another 75.00

I am still happy with al the nuts and bolts in both colors and most of the silver stuff. Some of the black parts I don't think I would do again. There is some yellowish staining showing up on some of the parts. It started out as just barely showing but seems to be getting worse in places. Its almost like its leaching right out of the metal. I have not tried with any kind of solvents yet but it does not some off by just rubbing it.

[V8TV]

Thanks for the reply. I've done some black oxiding before and found that rust can come back and make things look a little tarnished. I'll have to seek out a local plater to chat.

[gearheads78]

Its hard to find a place to stop LOL

I was originally going to just do a quick wash and rattle can the firewall. Since I no longer have a target date I took it a little farther. The rest of the engine compartment will look so clean and detailed so I have to make this pretty too.

Used a heat gun and a wood paint stick to get the old undercoating and black body sealer off. The paint stick works good and does not gouge the metal. I left all the original white seam sealer.

I used a DA with 120 everywhere I could and finished by hand in all the nooks and crannies. I then shot it with 2K direct to metal primer. I have some Eastwood chassis black but its laquer and I was afraid if might attack the primer. I will try to find some paint this week.

[SteveMcqueenRules]

Originally Posted by gearheads78

If you loved the wheels before what do you think now.

Waiting on a new hydraulic flare tool to do my brake lines. I did get the wheels painted and mounted the tires today. I can't wait to see the body down over these.

Those wheels look way better now! It is a classic design and the painted details emphasize this and give them more depth. Nice!

[V8TV]

Originally Posted by gearheads78

Its hard to find a place to stop LOL

That's the problem.. "might-as-well" syndrome..

[gearheads78]

Originally Posted by V8TV

That's the problem.. "might-as-well" syndrome..

Tell me about it The real sad part is now after this I don't think I will ever be able to build a car and not go this far every time.




This week after work I have been getting some little parts painted. Rattle canned I few things but did not com out as nice as I wanted so I am using real paint from a gun.


First sand blasting all the old paint and surface rust. I then been hitting with 120 DA to smooth out the basted parts but still leave some bite for the primer. I robbed a floor shift column out of a 66 Lemans. It was really nasty field car piece. Its looking better than new.



Next was a couple coats of 2K urethan primer followed by 400 paper to be ready for final paint



Here are a couple of finished pieces. I am very happy with my results for never painting anything with a gun before. I've used it to shoot some primer but thats all. This is good practice before I paint the firewall.

[waynieZ]

Looks very good you did a nice job with the paint gun. Keep us updated.
Wayne

[gearheads78]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

Looks very good you did a nice job with the paint gun. Keep us updated.
Wayne

thanks...


Painted some more parts this afternoon. These turned out even better than the first batch. With all the odd shapes I have painted I think painting a big panel will be a piece of cake.

steering column top pieces


power steering tank


heater box

[gearheads78]

Not much of an update as far as progress but did overcome a big hurtle today. I sold the wifes Tahoe so several small parts to buy and, plating and last little bit of powder coating can be done. I mentioned before I got myself out of debt last year. Its been so tempting to just order the stuff I need and pay for it later but I have just been patiently waiting.

I did decide to paint the gas tank since you will be able to see it from the back of the car. Since this was a Northern car it had a ton of undercoating. The normal method of heating up the coating to get off was not the best idea on a gas tank. I tryed several methods but in the end a razor blade on a windshield scaper was the fastest method.

It still took the better part of and afternoon to get it cleaned off. The blade left gouges in the metal So I primed with a heavy fill, blocked with 180 reprimed and wet sanding with 600.

I just finished painting it with dark gray metalic (same as wheel background) and semigloss clear. I think it turned out great. I will have the factory straps plated silver for a nice contrast and detail.