Wow, that really SUCKS!! Sorry to see this happen to one of the most entertaining and informative members we have here. Reminds me of the "Topcat" incident. Hopefully you'll be back after you cool down just like Wild Bill did.
I cant tell a story like Willy, but only relay what he tells me haha. Im still home bound with my new knee so I have plenty of time to help. He's showed me how to post pictures; its easier for me than driving stick shift! Yesterday he got the trunk lid pretty much stripped and sanded and is going to try for some primer on that. He comes inside after working mumbling stuff like "one piece at a time", or "Im right where I want to be". I know he loves his Buicks as much as he loves his boat and as much as he loves me! I'll try to stay with this unless some one gets a nostril hair that they cant grasp to pull out. Nothing like a big curly one that makes your eye tear when it comes out... even for us girls LOL! So far its been an easy winter so shop work and heat isnt killing us. Part of my therapy is to walk out to the shop for a visit for a few minutes, and its always nice and toasty out there. Of course Willy looks like he's been rolling around in coal dust... kinda like Al Jolson. Pat
Thanks for the update Pat, I think you may be even funnier than Bill! Thanks again for the update and the laughs. Hey Pat, what did Bill find out about the brakes? Ask him if he have to swap the 2 master cylinder lines? He left us hangin on that one.
The two lines are still gonna get swapped. They worked OK, but had a hard pedal. One of the 6 MC's worked perfect (?) but leaked at the rear seal area. He's probably gonna do that when the front end gets "exposed". Right now he's concentrating on "Booty Duty".... on the rear end that is LOL... Pretty good for a chick eh?
Willy is still playing with steel patches. Pretty small stuff, but he likes repairing with steel before any kind of filler goes in. Right now he has the car sprayed (looks terrible!) with light gray primer to sand and show imperfections. Not too many, but he is such a perfectionist! The bottoms of the front fenders have "playing card" sized hole cut out. One came this way from the seller which is just the skin, and the passenger side which took a 3/4 X 3" piece of the inner frame. All steeled in, waiting for the fiberglass. He says he wants to get the headliner in (due here Friday), and the back window too before too much painting happens. Something about overspray going everywhere. Its really dusty in the shop. Grinding, priming, filler etc. I dont know how you guys do it!
Willy has himself locked in and wont come out... something about "virtual agoraphobia" what ever that is. He's not afraid off much, and we get along really well, but some one traumatized him here. Im wondering if counseling will help; maybe a change in his mood meds??? Then he locks himself in the shop and gives me "youre sure gonna be surprised come spring", Hmmm. Can anyone help? He always comes in after work for coffee and a slide show. I know he's getting lots done, unless its other guys pictures. I sure hope he's not going psycho on me. He's invited me to come out and run the sander with my cane, but that cant happen yet. Im still going to therapy 3 times a week. Improving slowly but surely. He's told me several times to say hello to all the "good guys" (?) here, so thats a given; regards to everyone that cares LOL. So the bodywork is coming along. Progress for perfection takes a little more time than he allotted, but it should be sweet when he's done. Dusted the whole car in light primer and longboarded the whole thing to only find a few minor dimples. The back end crunches are finished and its on to the front fender bottoms. The PO cut one bad section out of the drivers side bottom and walked away from the job 20 years ago. Par for the course eh? The drivers side will consume much of today. The passenger side was opened up to find some puffy rust and that repair took about 10 hours among other things while waiting for the filler to harden. Its a constant struggle to keep the shop clean and tools put away so ya cant find them. Im sure you guys know that drill LOL. So with an early start on the fender, and black primer dust all over, the new headliner should be here today. Thats gotta go in, then the back glass, which is on top of all the trim stuff on top of the hood on the roof of the car. A tangled web we weave aint it? The hood still needs a trial fit befor any more primer or paint happens. Like Darwins "Origin of the Species". Its survival of the fittest! BBBPat View attachment 457381
Willy came in last night for our Christmas dinner date with friends. We missed the other one after my knee surgery. The new headliner showed up yesterday, so its unfolded and rolled up to get rid of the wrinkles, and he also got the stays cleaned and painted. He comes in smelling like bondo and primer so I know he's busy. One thing I can say is I know where he's at haha...
It's good to see he's making good progress. Thanks for keeping us updated Pat, he is fortunate to have such an understanding and supportive missus.
Just an update... Got the top bows in, and in place and letting the new headliner find its' own sweet spot before a final stretch. Picked up all the glass install material so that'll go in right after the headliner. Natural progression? The rear package tray was pretty warped from water and sun so thats getting made as we speak. Gotta call the big guy; its dinner time!
I thought I'd fill in for the Big Guy on his progress. For Ronnie, hope the wife and baby are well! Before you know it, youll be celebrating the Quinceanera party! Willy comes in looking like he shoveled coal all day. The "Black Gang" was the worst on ships. The car is about 50% primered (with a rattle can) and the body work is about 95% and rates a "9" at the very least. He keeps mumbling "its almost perfect". For anyone else it would be, but for this guy either it is or it isnt. Even I have to lean towards the "is", but then Im not quite the perfectionist he is LOL. A coat (S) of good primer will go on this week we hope, then more sanding, another coat and more sanding yet, and if its right? A nice wet sanding job. It's winter up here so we haul 5 gallon buckets of water to the job. Fun! Front fenders are perfect where the fake port holes went. There was some serious paint cracking from too much lacquer, on too much primer done way too fast, 40+ years ago. He took that all down to steel the past two days and now has that all in primer. Took the hood outa storage from being on the cars' roof, and got it in the sun yesterday. He's going to start getting that in primer today if its dry. BTW, he said it was a 100% perfect fit over the engine. He and Jeff set it down and the hood latched. BAMM!
Hi Lloyd... no way; he teases me too every time I make a "shop call". We are waiting for a nice sunny day ( kinda hard to come by in winter at 45* North latitude) for an educated choice. At the top is the Sapphire Blue Metallic which almost looks black till its in the sun; then V-O !! Vatch-Out LOL. Theres also the Daytona Electric Blue metallic (lower right). Both are outstanding and with some Snow White detailing is going to look outstanding! This paint is all BC/CC type. The top card is with a flash. You can see a substantial difference with the light. The big guy keeps plugging along everyday. Yesterday was about 4-5 hours fixing another "ding" that was already done and primed, just not to his satisfaction. Darn Germans! Also got the hood ground down and in primer. This morning I hafta help him flip it over to do the bottom side. Hope it stays dry out for a day; I know how disappointed he gets when the weather doesnt cooperate on out door stuff!
Life sucks and then you cover it up with paint. The big guy ordered his paint kit today. Its getting close!
