Well, here I go into the biggest step I've taken so far on building my car.
A little background of my painting talents include about 6 years of ROP education and I've got my name on more then 20 paint jobs over the years but I haven't picked up a paint gun now in over 8 years so the water stuff, low voc, Cal emissions crap is like starting over.
I started my bodywork this past weekend to the surprise of how little dented up the Pinto really was. The biggest part of the whole thing, filler wise, was the replacement hood that I purchased to replace the one I had cut out for the upper intake manifold. I've since rotated and shortened that so a new uncut hood was on my list & I also plan to reinstall the scoop. After all was filled and sanded, I brought out my new can of polyester primer that didn't make a sound when the can was shaken. I guess it wouldn't if it was hard as a rock now would it? Back to the paint store I went, who a day earlier said they would be open on Sat until noon, only to see a "closed for Labor day weekend" sign on the door. Well, I'll try everyone else...no luck closed. Called 3 Napa's and found one with primer, showed up to find out they lied to me about having quart sized and a gallon was over 100.00. I can buy the best for less then that before I'd pay for some no name brand so I bought a simple can of Duplicolor to cover my metal until my original store opened back up for business.
I've found it's harder now to find time then ever for my project. It seems there is more lawn to mow or more kids to attend to. I'm predicting a 3-4 month long timeline when I could have done it in 3 weeks 20 years ago.
One final thought though, I'm having fun, not getting burned out, and it's turning out pretty good so far so here's a few pics and thanks for looking
Edited 9-4; Alright, how come I spelled lawn as glbutt or was that a trick.
Good luck on your project! I can relate to your comments about "finding less time" to do things, which is why my car also is an extended project. 20 years ago, when I was in my 20's, I had the good fortune of living alone in a garage apartment, where I did a frame off restoration on a 1957 Chevy 2 dr hdtp that I bought, running and solid from California - for $800!! Like you said, those were good times - I could work on the car nearly every day without any hesitation, and while money was lean, time was abundant.
With my family now, and a house/lawn to maintain, and no good working space, it's a bigger challenge. The Pinto will still get finished, but on a much longer calendar. Have fun with yours!
Chris
OK, problem already. I have the sport mirrors which are not coming off due to the blind nuts spinning in the body. I guess I'll have to drill them out so time to buy another tool kit I'll only use once. Good thing I love tools. Anyone with any better ideas. There doesn't seem to be enough room for vise grips to hold them. Thanks.
Did you ever get the blind nuts out? Curious minds want to know.....
Chris
I just had to do this while removing my old chrome mirror from my driver's side. I ended up using a 6" vice grip. I had to reach through the uppermost center hole in the door to reach it though. I have long and skinny arms though, which helped.
I'm just getting ready to try the vise grip method with a very small pair and if that don't work then it's drilling time. I injured my back & have been out of commission for awhile so tomorrow will be my 1st day back on the Pinto job.
The vise grip idea won't work with me, my arms are too thick and I can only get to the front nut. I've done my home work and the proper name for these are rivet nuts. The tools are sold for about $30-$150 on the net and they do make special pneumatic high dollar ones for production guys. My budget told me to check the local Harbor freight and, not to my surprise, they had one in stock for $16.99 with the 100 piece nut set for another 10 bucks. I'm still thinking about the nut set as it's aluminum and there are much better splined steel nuts on the market, but then again, it's only a mirror not the door so they should be fine.
I've also tried, for the first time, Epoxy primer. Having used only polyester, 2k urethane, and good old lacquer in the past, I've found this stuff to be very shiny (almost as good as cheap paint) so you can see any imperfection in the body work before block sanding or painting. I'm not sure if all epoxies are this way but I'm using DynaTone by Alsa corp and it seems to be good stuff. If it sands well then this will be my primer of choice.
The camera is loaned out as of this typing but I'll post pics soon.
Thanks for the rivet nut idea & where to get it. That should get me able to get a mirror on the passenger side door. +1 for the info. :)
Some pics of the only rust spot found
My junkyard hood wasn't too straight and someone closed it with the air filter stud loose or something. It looks like a lot of filler from the picture but it's pretty thin skim coats of Evercoats polyester putty. Stuff works good for flattening panels if you have the patience but they price it like it contains gold.
And I just scored a gallon of Victory Red (ya I know it's a Chebby color) urethane base off ebay for $74.99!!! That's a savings of about $325. I'm going to assume it must be old stock, I'd hate it to be the other...
Hey i was wondering what size those tires are on the front of the car. I have 15 inch wheels but i havent bought tires yet wondering how tall i can go with out rubbing.
Quote from: smallfryefarm on January 23, 2009, 11:03:59 AM
Hey i was wondering what size those tires are on the front of the car. I have 15 inch wheels but i havent bought tires yet wondering how tall i can go with out rubbing.
165-80r-15 on 3.5" wheels. I have yet to rub them even with the front lowered about 2 inches but I'm sure it's possible.
That rust spot is scary! I have it bad on my passenger side quarter panel in the exact same spot, just larger. How are you going to repair it?
I don't know about him, but I used fiberglop to repair those spots on my wagon.
I thought I had pics of the whole repair process but I was wrong. I cut out the rust on the inner and outer panel, welded in new panels pieces, sprayed them with metal etching primer, a couple coats of rustoleum, then a heavy dose of rubberized undercoating on the inside wheel well and deep in the rear compartment.May not be the perfect way of doing it but I'll find the source of the water leak and I'm sure the problem will be solved.
Overshot my completion date almost by a year. Now my goal is at least by next years Knotts show. Some updated pics for you.
and more
Your Pinto's looking great!!!!!! I just went thru this repaint a few months back. It's amazing what a little paint will do when it comes to improving the appearance of your Pinto. Good luck!!! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Larry :police:
Lookin' GOOD, keep it up!!! I hope to do my paint in the Spring. I didn't say WHICH Spring. ;)
Chris
The return trip home from the paint booth. On to the color sanding and buffing.
Lookin' GOOD, Jim :surprised: Can't wait to see the finished product!
Dwayne :smile:
:surprised: wow man she looks like shes plugged into electricity. shiney....
Very nice!! I too can't wait to see the finished product!!! I love freshly painted Pintos!!!! ;D
Color sanding and buffing is proving to be a very laborish job but the results are looking awesome. Does anyone know of a free pic hosing site that lets you upload high quality pics? It's no Chip Foose job but I'm getting mighty proud of it.
Quote from: CHEAPRACER on November 09, 2009, 10:27:30 PM
Color sanding and buffing is proving to be a very laborish job but the results are looking awesome. Does anyone know of a free pic hosing site that lets you upload high quality pics? It's no Chip Foose job but I'm getting mighty proud of it.
Photobucket is the easiest one.
I swear, theres an exact twin of your car in Apple Valley, Ca.
It wouldn't surprise me if they're one and the same. Apple Valley isn't far from Redlands/Mentone. ;)
Quote from: blupinto on November 13, 2009, 01:44:32 AM
It wouldn't surprise me if they're one and the same. Apple Valley isn't far from Redlands/Mentone. ;)
isn't apple valley on the OTHER side of the mountains?
apple valley is off the 15, northwest of Victorville.. I should know I live in victorville just off the 395 and rode to a friends restaurant on a daily basis. which was in apple valley. =)
Its more like east of Victorville, but still, theres a red Pinto over there (Im in Hesperia) that looks like an exact match!!
Well, I didn't specify HOW close...! ;) lol. Let's just say both places are in San Bernardino County (I know it's a BIG county, but still...If I remember correctly Apple... Oh, never mind. AV is where the Roy Rogers Museum is. I know EXACTLY where Redlands and Mentone are... my Great-Aunt Lorene lived there, and I lived in nearby San Bernardino for 5 loooooong years. In fact I'm hoping to be there on Thanksgiving. My Dad still lives in the Highland area. :)
I bought the car in Victorville from the original owner, about 7 years ago, but it was completly stock, faded, and full of cobwebs . I lived and built it in Apple Valley, up till about 4 years ago (a little duplex on Kiowa), and now I reside in Redlands. It could be the same car as I used to drive it everywhere. It's good to see a bunch of locals on here, maybe I'll see some of you at a local cruise or show some day.
Thanks for the photobucket tip, I'll give them a try
CHEAPRACER...that is the one!! I used to see it parked in you driveway on Kiowa Rd. :)....I just did'nt know it has been 4 years already!!
Quote from: Pinto Pro on November 13, 2009, 03:02:51 PM
Its more like east of Victorville, but still, theres a red Pinto over there (Im in Hesperia) that looks like an exact match!!
Its been 10+ years since ive been in Cali so you could be right but its not far from VV
Quote from: Pinto Pro on November 14, 2009, 04:23:01 AM
CHEAPRACER...that is the one!! I used to see it parked in you driveway on Kiowa Rd. :)....I just did'nt know it has been 4 years already!!
Wow! It's been longer. Here is the post before I moved http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,1789.msg10775.html#msg10775 (http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php/topic,1789.msg10775.html#msg10775)
The wet sanding and buffing is done! Tomorrow it gets 2 coats of Carnuba and more stuff bolted on.
I found flicker lets you expand photos with good quality, just click on all sizes for a larger pic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44657475@N04/4104282045/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44657475@N04/4104282045/#)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44657475@N04/4105046874/#in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44657475@N04/4105046874/#in/photostream/)
WOW that is nice WOW
:oHoly Crap. I dont suppose you like to do that to my 74' ;D :lol:
Quote from: jwise12345 on November 15, 2009, 11:20:02 AM
:oHoly Crap. I dont suppose you like to do that to my 74' ;D :lol:
I think this will be my last paint job.Too much work
Well, after installing outer window belts on a few of my past cars, I've finally figured out how to install the little clips without damaging them. Carefully measure where they go, drill very small holes in the rubber and through the metal where the pointed retaining parts go through and THEN install them. After destroying a few without drilling then holes my lesson is learned.
Nice work and i know a lot of it. But just look at your results....nice job....
jim
Heres mine!!
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/TorinoStyle2/pintoshow.jpg)
Yummy, Pinto Pro! There's a '72 in the Phoenix area with a similar paint scheme for sale on craigslist.
Quote from: Pinto Pro on December 04, 2009, 04:21:46 PM
Heres mine!!
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/TorinoStyle2/pintoshow.jpg)
Nice! (sorry for the delayed reply) It would have been nice if the Hesperia Airport still had the drags going when I lived there,I always wanted to take something there.
Where was this show?
I did'nt know the Hesperia airport ever held drags there!!,,,that would be really cool if they'd do it again.
This piece of crap state is losing all its racetracks.
Down here we used to have Cajon Speedway. I never had the privilege to go but they ran pony stocks among other fun things. Naturally Cajon Speedway had to go. What a shame. :(
Quote from: Pinto Pro on January 07, 2010, 04:31:14 PM
I did'nt know the Hesperia airport ever held drags there!!,,,that would be really cool if they'd do it again.
This piece of crap state is losing all its racetracks.
I believe it was the FAA that put a stop to the airport drags
Love that '50s Chebbie pickup in that photo too!
Does anyone know a trick on how to install the rear hatch window rubber trim back into the rubber? I'm thinking the window may have to be removed and reinstall it back into the rubber first then the window.