Its been a long time coming, but I decided to start redoing my beloved 'thirsty turtles' body work. Man oh man did i get some surprises! I started stripping the car with aircraft stripper but did not have much luck. Next i tried wire wheels, they worked but took a long time. Then i started using Norton rapid strip disks and the 42 year old paint came right off (all over my garage) I discovered that both quarter panels needed work, as well as both fenders, the driver door, and a partial floor pan. After weeks upon weeks of cutting, grinding, welding and bleeding.. she is in primer I just now have a decent way to get pictures loaded.. so its not a ton of photos, but I would like to share what this Buick has gone through! My hope is to get everything done in time for BPG 2013, seeing that this years theme is 'small block party' I would like to show off this small block custom. EDIT: I did rebuild the inner lip on the driver quarter panel before throwing on the patch
I wish I taken some pictures of the driver door before i started cutting but I got into a groove in the garage and forgot. Bottom line is the dent that was there is now replaced with good metal. I used an epoxy primer from eastwood, evercoat rage gold body fill, and a rather cheap paint gun to coat. But so far I am very pleased. Next step is to find and fix the high and low spots and some fender touch ups, I hope to get it ready for color by April. Big thanks for my garage help Shawn (SRiley) for assisting.
Its been a fun ride for sure!!:beer And just think, with any luck we'll get to start all over here soon!!:eek2: I'll post a few snapshots I took as soon as my phone quits being a POS....
I don't think so my friend That coozie is a prize possession! Thanks for the picture updates, here is the hood as of now. Little bit of striping but it dried very well. Just need some fender tweaks now!
Fender all patched and with 1st coat of epoxy. Can't wait to put it on! If you look in the background you will notice half the passenger fender bottom is missing. I wasn't too happy with my attempt of fender patching so it had to go... onward
Justin - here's some motivational inspiration YOU take me for a trip down the 1320 in your car ... then I take you for the same trip in BigRed Deal ? :Brow: Nice Progress BTW .. plus you're keeping Shawn out of trouble at the same time. Does his wife pay you for that ?
You've been busy boys lately ........ I thought people from Dayton hibernate and drink beer all winter. Anyways, good luck on finishing her up and hope to see you at the Columus meet again and share some late night beverages. :beer
Deal! Couldn't wipe the smile from my face after a ride like that. And of course she she pays me, it is funding the entire project!
Lon, you're actually quite accurate. We have been hibernating.....in the garage! And beers? How do you think Taulb bribes me to come work on it!! See ya in C'bus!:beer
Thanks Lon! Nice to hear from ya. And as cold as it been its costing me as much in propane, beer, and kerosene as it is in Buick parts. Thankfully I partially insulated the garage a few years back.
Lon, Shawn and I were hibernating in the garage and came up with this. A seamist green beer fridge I had an old can of matched spray paint that needed to be used.
We have been busy! Got some dings and some obvious metal low spots filled tonight. Then spot spray of epoxy where i sanded all the way through. Next came 2 coats of eastwoods 2k filler primer. Next step is to get the posse organized so we can sand and guide coat! Tonight was one of those nights where things didnt always go smoothly. And my cleaning thinner managed to find every open wound i have. Its late.. i need a nap.
Despite feeling like my arms were gonna fall off, its actually enjoyable!!! (Mostly.... ) Here taulb, proof you did something too