1960 IMPALA CONVERTIBLE BIG PROJECT

[Troublemaker64]

Did u have the inside of the floor pans blasted as well?

 

[RosharonRooster]

Did u have the inside of the floor pans blasted as well?

Hi yes it blasted inside and out. Only thing wasn't blasted was doors quarters and deck lid. Everything is in epoxy now

 

[RosharonRooster]

You scored a great car. Don't see to many with solid rockers, doors, quarters, and looks like 80-90% solid pan in today's market. Maybe 1 or 2 of those metal parts, but not all in that shape. Look forward to your progress videos. I'm just getting started on an 83 944 Porsche, customer car. It to is in great shape, but it's also 23 yrs younger then the chev... have fun!

It was a decent start. Wasn't cheap but I think I'm still ahead of the curve with what I've got tied up in it

 

[RosharonRooster]

Been plugging away on this heap. I rebuilt the door hinges , new pins and bushings, I also scored a 6 way power seat assembly. And I learned a very valuable lesson. I wanted to soak the seat tracks in muriatic acid and then epoxy them, so I did. Well the acid completely ate up the aluminum (or pot metal) cable actuators!!! Gone. Lucky my buddy had a spare track...boy was did I screw up. I used my spot blaster on the tracks and got them in epoxy. They function as they should and the assembly fits so I'm happy again

 

[RosharonRooster]

Fast forward to today. Me and my son put about 6 hrs in the quarters. We used the blue conditioning discs, spot blaster 36 grit, and 80 grit to remove all the original lacquer. It was pretty checked, so it took some effort but we did the best we could

 

[RosharonRooster]

After that it was 40oz of epoxy. I used the spi water born wax remover and I bought some professional grade wipes that were recommended on here. The shell is now completely in epoxy. It's a big milestone for this car. Considering the bottom half of the car was missing when I got it. I am by no means an expert with the hammer and dolly but im going to give it my best, but the car will need filler. Looking forward to the next stage.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

. . . I am by no means an expert with the hammer and dolly but im going to give it my best, but the car will need filler. . .

I hear you. My hope was to get my GTX straight enough to just use epoxy primer. Now I have to face the fact that I'm just not that good at metal working.
It won't take much filler but it will definitely need some.

 

[RosharonRooster]

I hear you. My hope was to get my GTX straight enough to just use epoxy primer. Now I have to face the fact that I'm just not that good at metal working.
It won't take much filler but it will definitely need some.

That's another level of restoration. I wish I was capable. Just need to keep plugging away. The end of the game is to just enjoy these cars.

 

[dhutton01]

There is no shame in using a little filler. Very few cars are built without using a little filler.

Don

 

[RosharonRooster]

Hey I will add that I bought a shrinking disc and fixed the oil canning in the tail fins. It was like magic!!

 

[RosharonRooster]

Been plugging away. Started body working the firewall. I'm going to start there and work my way back. I want to have the firewall done before I move on. By done I mean. In epoxy and needing wetsand and sealer before color. I have about 1 more round of blocking then some highbuild.

 

[MJM]

Did you smooth out the firewall, or is that how it came from the factory? I like the clean smooth look myself.

 

[RosharonRooster]

Did you smooth out the firewall, or is that how it came from the factory? I like the clean smooth look myself.

Before and after

 

[RosharonRooster]

Well the firewall is done. And the dash is in 2k high build 3 coats. Deleted the factory heater controls, ash tray, and added factory ac vent cutouts.. also delete the dash top speaker...next step is to get the top rack refinished with either matte or gloss black

 

[RosharonRooster]

Been working on the passenger side. So far it's been filler and 80 grit and epoxy. Repeat. Its starting to take shape. I think I got about 25 hrs or so on this side so far.

 

[RosharonRooster]

Some of the areas on the car were untouched original panels and when you put the block to it. It tells you things GM didn't tell you in 1960 lol

 

[RosharonRooster]

I've been using durablocks and some acrylic blocks, I'm looking forward to trying out Dean Jenkins best sanding blocks ever, when it comes to the featherfill stage....

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Been working on the passenger side. So far it's been filler and 80 grit and epoxy. Repeat. Its starting to take shape. I think I got about 25 hrs or so on this side so far.

I understand that. Sometimes it feels like my arms are ready to fall off.

 

[RosharonRooster]

I understand that. Sometimes it feels like my arms are ready to fall off.

I need to buy one of those inline sanders. I use a da to knock down the uglies from the spread and then block, buts its still alot of work

 

[MJM]

That's a lot of work you're doing there seeing as you have a body panel that's probably 1/8 mile long, lol

You're making excellent progress, looks fantastic!