1969 Dodge Super Bee Coupe Restoration

[dadsbee]

A couple of days work about 20 years ago. Still sitting in the yard. I chopped my first truck with a buddy of mine when I was 15, '72 GMC long box. Only picture I have of it (partially) at a wedding in '82, with my buddy Gord walking to it.

BTW.. the Ramcharger is a true survivor if you're interested buying it, still has original paint!!

 

[moparnation74]

What's sad is when this car is all done and at a show people will look at that panel and have no clue the amount of work in just that one piece. Outstanding work!

So very true.......and if you tell them the actual time and cost....they will think your nuts and wonder why you didn’t buy a new one or have someone else do that....

 

[747mopar]

So very true.......and if you tell them the actual time and cost....they will think your nuts and wonder why you didn’t buy a new one or have someone else do that....

People sure do notice when it isn't polished though lol. I've had more than a few roll their eyes at me for doing a brushed finish on mine but that's what I like.

 

[moparnation74]

People sure do notice when it isn't polished though lol. I've had more than a few roll their eyes at me for doing a brushed finish on mine but that's what I like.

I never understood why people act like an azz like that.....why not just walk away and say it in their head or to their friend......

We all like our cars to be a certain way! Trust me I get the same BS on a different level...if the car is too nice they rip on it and if a car is not nice they rip on it......

Meanwhile where’s your car at? When someone pokes on mine to my face. I always ask, “what do you have?”....5 out ten have none and the other 5 is in “restoration” lol

 

[dadsbee]

I should just hire the wife as my shop photographer, of course she got a better shot of my work. Panel is in paint now, just waiting an hour and 45 minutes so I can wipe the DODGE and if I mess it up still be in the repaint window of 2 hours.

 

[dadsbee]

Lower corrugation taped off and a quick scuff with 400 to put some bite back in where I polished paint areas while doing the profiles.

Cleaned up with wax and grease remover and sprayed with etching primer.

Two light coats of etch primer, that I wish I had of gone with my first thoughts and omitted. Made it impossible to do a quick wipe on the letters.

While waiting for the primer to tack up, made my letter swipers. I'd tried them on my OE panel and they worked good.

More to do, so I don't paint too soon. Needed some more spacer rubbers for the mounting screws on the panel.

No need to buy stuff that is easy to make.

Now I'm good for the install and 30 minutes has gone by, time to paint.

Tail panel painted with Duplicolour CDA1603 (DA1603 in the USA). Note to self, never paint acrylic against plastic again.

First clean up I got the first D perfect, O and D dragged the cloth in the centers and part of the G. E good.

Pill bottle wipers caused me issues, so a wood dowel it is! Just a WHIFF of lacquer thinner.

 

[dadsbee]

Respray...

D O G E good... Respray the D again (SEVEN TIMES!)

Had to use an exacto knife to "cut" the paint along the masking tape for a clean line.

What a mear 27 hours and 10 minutes can do! Jesus I wanna build a resto mod next.... all black tail panel.





All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown....

 

[themechanic]

Great paint work. Michael Angelo would be proud.

 

[moparjohnny]

Great paint work. Michael Angelo would be proud.

you put this car back together better than it came from factory.

 

[dadsbee]

That is the plan Johnny! Once you start from a bare shell there's no point in turning back..

 

[moparnation74]

Wayne

Piece looks stellar! Too nice to put on the car......lots of time, blood, sweat and tears in that piece and the end product shows!

 

[The Rebel]

Amazing job!

 

[showard]

Great work! I know every page posted represents many hours of work. I am impressed with your time and detail put in.

 

[dadsbee]

Thanks guys! I never thought the tail panel would take 27 hours to restore, but it is what it is and I wasn't slacking to accomplish that. I sure hope the grill goes quicker!!

Gotta make a call this afternoon to see when I'm dropping my car into the paint booth next week. Actually hoping he's on his usual "just behind" schedule as Monday's forecast is -28C at 8AM. Tuesday is to be only -8C.

 

[dadsbee]

Tuesday morning I load the car, to arrive 10 to 11 AM in Warminster, for my passenger side missed roof rail seam sealer, paint, a few touch ups and then a total cut and buff on the car. George answered his cell phone with "Thank you for calling Body by Biggs, we are on holidays until Spring and you can bring that Bee then". I responded with F you and some laughs. He said NO WAY he was opening the shop door Monday am in -28C. What I wanted to hear.. as I don't want to open mine either!

 

[dadsbee]

Making sure she's ready for the beauty shop on Tuesday.

Finally getting some true blue shots in the shop.

Turned around and ready to take Therapy off of her rollers.

Ready to load for her cut and buff..

Found a new lower drivers seat and strapped it in.

I can't imagine how it's going to look AFTER cut and buff.

Yep.. that deep!

Then I just sat in a chair and stared at it for an hour.

 

[69L48Z27]

Paint looks pretty smooth already!

 

[moparlee]

Yep, that's exactly what I would do too, sit there a stare at that beauty. Awesome

 

[moparnation74]

Making sure she's ready for the beauty shop on Tuesday.

Finally getting some true blue shots in the shop.

Turned around and ready to take Therapy off of her rollers.

Ready to load for her cut and buff..

Found a new lower drivers seat and strapped it in.

I can't imagine how it's going to look AFTER cut and buff.

Yep.. that deep!

Then I just sat in a chair and stared at it for an hour.

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Beautiful! I would stare at that as well....wait I am right now, lol.....

What rims? and stripe color?

 

[dadsbee]

White tail stripe and the "Pentastar" truck (as you say) wheels stay for now. I bought them with my hard earned pennies in 1979 so they get to hang on for now. I may swap the raceways onto the magnum 500's later and the BF's on to these.