1968 Plymouth GTX

crashtech said:
When I lived in the big city there was an outfit that came around and did stuff like that out of a truck. They had silicone molds, etc., it's kind of an art imo. I would farm that job out if I could. Might enquire with an upholstery shop.
Click to expand...

The place to ask is at your local car dealership, at least it use to be. Those artists were always at the dealership touching up flaws in used cars before they would go on the used lot. It use to be they were busy enough with the dealers they never advertised for outside work.
 
Okay, here's what I got.

Before:
Cracks Glued.JPG



After:

Cracks Repaired.jpg


Not perfect but I doubt most people will ever notice.
 
I had to change up the game plan a couple of times.
The clear epoxy didn't work so great so cleaned that up with some sandpaper and then applied some body filler. I used Plastik Honey to get it fairly slick and then sanded it smooth with 150 grit.

Mixed up a small amount of reduced SPI epoxy and sprayed two coats just over the repair area. When it was still just a bit soft, I pressed my texture into it. Then let it cure for an hour or so.

I used the exterior color base and mixed it 1:1 with reducer and added about 10% activator (interior mix application that requires no clear coat) and shot 3 coats.

Searching for a piece of vinyl that closely matched the existing texture was the tough part. I finally discovered a very small size Spanish New Testament buried under a bunch of stuff. The texture on the vinyl cover was almost a perfect match.
Spanish Bible for Texture.JPG
 
Buffing the trim pieces. They have small rust spots mainly on the back side. Being Stainless Steel I could sand those out and may do so later on. This was really a side project while I waited for my supplies to get here.

These consoles have carpet that installs below the chrome trim pieces.
Console Trim.JPG
 
Need some advice from you professional metal workers.

I decided to test fit my trunk lid and found myself facing quite a dilemma. The lid dimensions seem correct. The diagonal from corner to corner across the top are nearly spot on at 60 inches. The width measurements taper from back to front about 1" and are correct at the half way point as well.

So now for the pictures showing the fit or lack thereof.

Front Right Corner
Lid Front Right Corner.jpg


The right edge goes from tight to a slight overlap at the rear.
Lid Right Side Edge with partial overlap.JPG


The left front corner:
Lid Front Left Corner.JPG


The left edge of the quarter panel has a taper to it. The pencil line to the right is from putting a straight edge against the quarter panel.
At the back end, I measured in the 1/2" width of the straight edge just to see how much metal I would have to trim. Obviously way too much.
Lid Left Side Edge.JPG


You can see how tight it is at the back portion and the opposite is slightly overlapped. I mean just enough to stop it from clearing.
Any ideas or advice on how best to approach this would be appreciated.
My thinking is the left quarter panel edge will need to be "modified".
Here the front edge so you can see the fit there.
Lid Front Edge.JPG


Thanks for looking.
 
'68 Coronet R/T said:
Here you can see how the quarter panel extensions are closer to a match on the passenger side.
View attachment 22497

View attachment 22498About the only thing I can suggest, is pick out the best fitting edge. and start moving metal to make everything else work. A little slice here and a little spread there. there is no way of knowing what may this poor car has been subjected to. Some times a guy has to "fudge" perfection. I always like to fit all the sheet metal together with teck screws, mangle and address the gaps and then start welding things in solid. I have been following this thread and see where you have done a bunch of work on the trunk floor.
Click to expand...
 
The driver side rear end of the quarter comes out and it looks like it will be close.
Pass side looks good but tight, the lid goes left after relieving that left end outward which gets you in the game. Puzzler for sure. Anything get out of alignment on the tail end when you replaced the truck floor?
You had a lot ripped up there.
 
Page 11. She was trying to tell you something.....
Might go back and ponder on It. May remember something that could get you back on track.
Considering what all you have replaced, 90% of people would have this fubar'ed at this point.
Think you need to go fishing for a few days.
What my dad always told me anyway. Generally worked out too.
 
Okay, after drilling out the spot welds on the right side to loosen the quarter panel, I was able to get about 1/8" of room. Did the same on the right side and the lid now fits.

It looks like I still have some hinge bending to do, so the front of the lid can move left an 1/8" or so. Cranked on them a bit to get this close.
You can also see there was some brazing done in one spot.
Lid Right Side Adjusted.jpg


If I can get those hinges bent just a bit more it should square everything up.

Lid Left Side Adjusted.jpg
 
It's amazing how small amounts of movement can improve the gaps.
What's the story with the quarter panels?, aftermarket? why is the braze there? Check that braze for and residual flux if it was used, and make sure it is gone.
 
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