1969 Plymouth Barracuda Restoration Thread

Had no choice here due to my skills as a beginner, so I used fiberglass filler to create the tail light housing, even added the detail on the inside of the housing that will never be seen.

Before filler
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After fiberglass filler
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Detail
20210820_181337.jpg
 
Now on to rear valance. Back up light took a hit at some point in its life. Once again welding up holes and straightening the metal around it better than the it was. There was literally 7/16" worth of filler around it. No access from the backyard side so used my stud welder to help straighten the metal.

After stud weld straightening
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Used a piece of copper pipe that I split and hammered flat, then shaped it for the panel to be used as a backer. That was recommended in this thread.
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All welded up
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JimKueneman said:
Come weld up about the same number on the Valiant! Those little details nobody will directly notice but will add so much to the overall fit and finish. Worth it.
Click to expand...

I am now the student, and you're now one of the teachers. I so want to replace that 1/4 panel but, I won't do it without the proper equipment. That and I would have to learn how to lead the sail panel. I'll just keep going as I am, who knows. I may go back after Christmas and replace that 1/4 panel. Even if I do, I don't feel like I'm wasting my time. I've learned a great deal up to this point. I look at it as hands on experience. I'm really happy about the door gaps. It's something I truly admired about your wife's car.

I have a LOT yet to learn but, it sure is fun.
 
Another section now under epoxy, the roof. I also blocked the drivers 1/4 panel after my filler mistake and sprayed it again so I can get a good chemical bond with the filler.

What's left of the roof after stripping with a razor blade.
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Drip rails stripped
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Roof da with 80 grit. Drip rails 180 grit by hand.
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Drip Rail
20210830_132452.jpg
 
MJM said:
Had no choice here due to my skills as a beginner, so I used fiberglass filler to create the tail light housing, even added the detail on the inside of the housing that will never be seen.

Before filler
View attachment 16545

After fiberglass filler
View attachment 16546

Detail
View attachment 16547
Click to expand...


Did you see the Graveyard Carz episode where he bought that RoadRunner where the artist actually sculpted the details like the overlaps of panel out of filler over totally rotted out metal? It fooled even him. Your comment about the unseen detail triggered that thought not your work ;)
 
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JimKueneman said:
Did you see the Graveyard Carz episode where he bought that RoadRunner where the artist actually sculpted the details like the overlaps of panel out of filler over totally rotted out metal? It fooled even him. Your comment about the unseen detail triggered that thought not your work ;)
Click to expand...

I did not. Trust me when I say I take no pleasure using filler like that. I'm going to get the Miller 215. mig, stick and tig welder for Christmas. That will push me to never use filler like that again. In reality, the filler in that taillight section is only an 1/8th inch think, so it wasn't abused.
 
MJM said:
I did not. Trust me when I say I take no pleasure using filler like that. I'm going to get the Miller 215. mig, stick and tig welder for Christmas. That will push me to never use filler like that again. In reality, the filler in that taillight section is only an 1/8th inch think, so it wasn't abused.
Click to expand...

I would (have) used that much and more. Maybe I would have used the weld on pin puller to try to put pressure out in that low spot while hammering the high spot. If it did not do much I would have been right there with you.
 
Amazing what having fresh up to date filler can do, lol. Up at 3:00am to skim coat the roof while it was 65 degrees out. Put the filler and hardener outside for an hour and opened up the garage door to cool down the car. Used Evercoat Ultra without any Ultra Extra. Filler and body panel 66 degrees when applied. Now it's time to seperate the men from the boys and see just how flat and straight I can make that roof.

Skim coat applied.
20210906_113134.jpg


image_16419.jpg


Started blocking with a 3' Durablock and 80 grit. Will finish it with 180 grit.
20210906_161020.jpg
 
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