New Paint after 21 years

[442much]

In March I booked my 442 in for painting. Due to the economy they couldn't take my car in until July 2. I was told that it would take about a month to complete because they wanted to do it right and strip the car down.
The last time the car was painted (1987) the guy told me he wanted to strip the car too.
Stripped 442 (1987)

Anyway, I called Bruce (the fellow who owns the shop that offered to paint the car when no one else would) and asked how the car was coming along. He said "Not good." His main body guy didn't show up for work and he was looking for someone to hire. The economy is so hot here that there is a labour shortage. We're short 4-5 people at work ourselves. Bruce said that he had a guy lined up to start on July 28.
On August 2 I went in with my camera to check the progress on the car. Bruce said the new guy never showed up. So he's looking again.
One month later (nothing done)


I got a call from Bruce . He said they found some rust and if I wanted to see the car in its current state.
So, I grabbed the work digital camera and headed over to the body shop. When I got there, I expected to see this.....

But I was shocked to hear that the guy who originally left, was back! Bruce said that he was an excellect body man but a bit of a flake. He said that he gave him enough that he won't be going anywhere for a while.
Anyway, below are some pictures of the 442 . I'll keep you guys posted as the car progresses if you're interested. It seems that "stripped" means different things to different body shops....

[442much]

[442much]

Bruce did say that for a 32 year old car with original fenders, quarters and doors, the car was in "remarkable" shape.


Rust!! Now history.

[442much]

Here it is a week later. Not much done but the work on the rust area is moving along (albiet slowly).

[442much]

Pass. quarter is in pretty good shape.


More to come......going to see it tomorrow.

[easytobedead]

looks like it's coming along very nicely. i want to paint my car but i have a bit of rust in the rear an don't no id should just cut it out of a diff cutlass an have it welded.

[Oldsguy]

Well, that is what stripped means to me too (down to bare metal). Your car does look to be in very good shape for it's age. Be thankful that repair to him means "new metal" not "more mud". Where did those hood scoops come from? I sure don't recognize them. Anxiously awaiting progress pics...

[Olds64]

AWSOME! That car is definitely stripped down to it's birthday suit.

[KeithA0000]

Just curious, 442Much, how much are you spending on this strip down? Mine could use a similar job, probably more, and the thought is worrying me. If I have to sell the house, the wife won't be onside!

[mugzilla]

I like how they bagged the engine compartment ...

[442much]

Originally Posted by KeithA0000

Just curious, 442Much, how much are you spending on this strip down? Mine could use a similar job, probably more, and the thought is worrying me. If I have to sell the house, the wife won't be onside!

This paint job is gonna be about $10,000 CAD. Based on the last paint job, I shouldn't have to have another one done for at least 20 years. They tell me they are using the Glasurit base clear.

Ken

[442much]

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

Well, that is what stripped means to me too (down to bare metal). Your car does look to be in very good shape for it's age. Be thankful that repair to him means "new metal" not "more mud". Where did those hood scoops come from? I sure don't recognize them. Anxiously awaiting progress pics...

Check this out.

http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/site.htm
__________________

[442much]

Well it's moving along...slowly, but it's moving. Took these pics today because wasn't sure if they'd be open over the long weekend.

[442much]

[442much]

Well that's it for this week. Hopfully it will be in primer when I see it next time.

[FL1970442]

Car looks great. One of my 442s is a 77. I had it stripped to bare metal
like yours about 8 years ago. The plastic rock shields that go in front
of your rear wheel wells will cause a rust problem again. They seem
to trap moisture no matter what. I'm assuming you have these also.
Do you also have the plastic rear fender/bumper fillers. If so, I can tell you where to get new ones if you have a problem finding them.

[442much]

Originally Posted by FL1970442

Car looks great. One of my 442s is a 77. I had it stripped to bare metal
like yours about 8 years ago. The plastic rock shields that go in front
of your rear wheel wells will cause a rust problem again. They seem
to trap moisture no matter what. I'm assuming you have these also.
Do you also have the plastic rear fender/bumper fillers. If so, I can tell you where to get new ones if you have a problem finding them.

Hi,

Those plastic pieces (at least one) caused the rust in the first place. I removed them 21 years ago. I've had this car since 1979 and have collected many pieces for it for many years. Thanks for the offer though. I usually hang out at www.73-77olds.com and see that a few of those guys are here as well. That's a good source for 73-77 parts.

Ken

[442much]

OK, went to see the car today. Bruce said that they would be starting the prep work on Monday. That "stuff" on the car is an aluminum compound of some sort. Anyway, we're getting close. I noticed that they removed my original weatherstipping. I hope there are no issues with reassembly. The pictures below were taken at lunch time today.

[442much]

More next week......

[csstrux]

Looks to be coming along nicely. Sharp ride

[442much]

Originally Posted by csstrux

Looks to be coming along nicely. Sharp ride

Thanks man. More pix tomorrow night.

[Lady72nRob71]

Originally Posted by 442much

I noticed that they removed my original weatherstipping. I hope there are no issues with reassembly.

That big job is sure coming along nicely; I can't wait to see the finished car! I like the original color...
So far the wait looks to be well worth it. I would rather them take longer and do a good job. I know that long initial wait was difficult...

At this point, I think you should just install new weatherstrip if yours is more than a few years old. Dull dirty weatherstrip against a near-perfect body will stand out in the worse way. This is the thing I don't like about restoring cars - one thing always leads to another and none are cheap!
Keep those pictures rolling in!

[442much]

OK, I realize that this might be boring for some of you, (it's taking longer than I thought)! Went to the shop today and Bruce was out for lunch. The receptionist knows me by now and said that the guy working on my car didn't show up to work and Bruce had been trying to call him all week. She said that I could go back if I wanted and take pictures, so I did. I'll call Bruce on Monday to see what's going on.





Around the rear window. I'll ask Bruce to add tape to the glass, but it's possible all the sanding is done??

[442much]

No weatherstripping



There was no rust on this side, but they did some work here anyway.







Perhaps it would be better if I posted here only when the car is finished as this is going on longer than I'd hoped.

[88hurstolds]

Originally Posted by 442much