69 SS convertible

[mrbelv2]

Thanks Shag,
I still have alot to learn about paint and body. Trial and error is my method...that and alot of reading, research etc.

 

[Propwash]

:icon_thumleft: Looking good!!

 

[mrbelv2]

I started on the passenger side. Cut off the quarter and the wheelhouse was worse than expected. So, ordered a new one. They dont make one for a convertible, but after some research, I figured if I cut the new one down(like they did to make convertibles). Still I didn't remove the old one till I got the new one , to compare. Some pics for you junkies:headbang:

 

[MarPar]

Damn nice work there Mr Belvidere!! you'll be drivin her before you know it!!

 

[MarPar]

your name did make me lol...great choice!

 

[mrbelv2]

While I waited for the wheelhouse, I worked on a dent on the trunk lid. It was in a tough area where I couldn't really get behind it. So, I could take it to a body shop to use a pin welder on or I could use this as an excuse to buy a tool. Guess which I chose? I have wanted one for a while and although I won't use it everyday, it's an invaluable tool. Here's my ebay score and the dent.

 

[mrbelv2]

Thanks for the compliments. I hope to be driving it this summer. No, I will be!

 

[shag766]

my hat is off to you. now you are making me think.
some times that is dangerous, when i think and i get a head ache.:laughing6:

 

[mrbelv2]

I'm a pro at overthinking things. That gives me a headache too!

 

[mrbelv2]

MarPar, the name is in reference to my other car, a 66 Belvedere 2. A little play on words:icon_study:

 

[MarPar]

haha! i knew you had a belvy (you did mention it in your first post), but i figured you had the double-meaning thing going on!! either way, it made me think the show! lol

 

[mrbelv2]

I'm showing my age but I do remember Mr. Belvedere from the tv show too.

 

[Ron 73]

You are doing some great work mrbelve2, Im enjoying this resto and learning new things here and there with yours and others as well, I almost want to try to tackle a 2 door conversion, but key word is almost lol.. Ive never seen as much talent anywhere as ive seen at this site with the restos... who needs TV man. keep her going looking forward to it looking primed and ready! Id bet your going to want to do a small video of the ole bird sitting there idling in its glory ;)

 

[MarPar]

You are doing some great work mrbelve2, Im enjoying this resto and learning new things here and there with yours and others as well, I almost want to try to tackle a 2 door conversion, but key word is almost lol.. Ive never seen as much talent anywhere as ive seen at this site with the restos... who needs TV man. keep her going looking forward to it looking primed and ready! Id bet your going to want to do a small video of the ole bird sitting there idling in its glory ;)

Amen to that, Ron!!! and these guys love sharing their talents and knowledge with guys like us!! :hello2: i can't even begin to fathom how much knowledge i've learned from our little corner of da intranet!!!

it's a beauuuuuutiful thing!!

 

[mrbelv2]

After viewing all the other posts, I finally decided to start one. I have learned alot from you guys too and hope this thread can help others. Ron, a two door conversion would make alot of sense, with the price difference between two and four door cars. A ton of work though.
Anyway, heres the latest. Wheel house had some rust at the top front. It was hiding under a big glob of sealer. Had to patch it as it was on the inner wheel house, which is staying. There were two layers to patch. First I cut through both layers. Patched the one layer, then patched the other layer. Finally, I cut down the new wheel house and welded it in. At the front, I spliced it as I didn't want to deal with the flange. That would have been alot more work as the flange goes to the inside of the car. The conv. top cylinder is there and i'd have to remove that and maybe the top to have access.

 

[detmatt1]

If I say what I want to say I'll just be repeating myself, keep it up man!

 

[mrbelv2]

Passenger side quarter skin is on! I did a better job on this side. I think the experience of having already done the other side helped. Overall, I'm happy with the AMD skins. They fit pretty well. I did have to rework the spot where it meets the lower rear of the door(like Northerndave did) but just on one side. Also you have to make little triangle fillers to seal up the area where the panel curves in for the bumper(original panels are more of a 90 degree turn there). The other area is where the skin mounts to the rocker at the lower front. Amd has a lip which shouldn't be there and has to be removed. I have some pics showing the technique I used on the pass side. Worked really well. Enjoy the pics

 

[charger360]

nice matal work. i like doing quarters it always looks so good when the fresh metal is on! the prep work kinda sucks but the end result is nice.

 

[Propwash]

Great work!! Nice example how to do it right on those skins.

 

[Donny]

Wow, excellent work and the pics of the raw, and the done areas is awesome to behold! I like how you even went inside the qtrs and painted them up too, man, that's a real craftsman folks! And thanks for the good words! Oh yeah, TV shows SUCK compared to this site, most (if not all) are product-placement events and geared for the part time hobbyist, but never for the industrial scale level, and they are SOOOOO long, laborious, and way too clean, way too shiny and way to 'brand new'. This stuff here is all real, and very educational too!