Can of rusty worms

[Glenwood]

Finally ground down all those welds. Should be applying some epoxy soon!

 

[RT68440]

Looks fantastic! Nice fix on the K member nut plate too.

 

[threewood]

Looking good. I had a similar issue on one of my K member plates only the entire frame came apart and started spinning. It was rotted out lol.

What kind of blaster do you have? I wouldn't mind rigging something up from the HF blast cabinet I have but glass media is pricey to be blowing all over the front lawn.

 

[Glenwood]

I used a cheap siphon type. Worked ok but kept clogging from the moisture. I added a desiccant filter which helped a little. I think a gravity type blaster would work better but it worked out ok for this small job.

 

[Glenwood]

Took apart the front suspension, blasted and painted up the parts. The bushings were done by a previous owner and looked good so I didn't have to replace any.

 

[Glenwood]

Had to address the hinge mount as it was rusting away. Hard to believe this 12-14ga could have been rotting away like this. I couldn't find any at the stores and didn't want to buy a big piece from a metal supplier so I used a piece from the kid's civic hinge I replaced. A little thicker by 50mm but it worked out nicely.

 

[Glenwood]

D-day. Here's my makeshift paint booth!

 

[Glenwood]

A couple coats of epoxy should keep the rust at bay for a few years I hope! This stuff sure smells bad.

 

[Glenwood]

After 24 hours, I sprayed the cowl with 3 coats of high build primer, then sprayed the rest with paint.

Ran into problems with the spray gun. I ended up getting the 'runs' lol. Ugh, I'll have to wet sand this down and respray.

Wet sanding with 320 & 400 took care of the mistakes.

Turns out the air valve nut spun out and screwed up the trigger. I took it apart, cleaned and oiled it up.

This air inlet got clogged and I didn't clean it out after I sprayed the epoxy, so a vacuum was created causing irregular spray. I had to open the cap periodically to spray.

Finally spraying the cowl after nearly a year!

Got rid of the runs! lol. Looks a little better now.

Good opportunity to colour match the wheels.

 

[ckessel]

Nice work. At least you have an excuse for hanging curtains. I've seen numerous "PRO'S" hang them way too often. And I'll bet your painting came out cleaner than some of the boobs I worked with that used a paint booth. Best excuse for dirty paint was " Its not my job to clean the booth". I gave those jobs back to them to fix.

 

[Glenwood]

Cleaning the booth was one of my least favourite jobs at the dealer back in '85.

I wanted to paint the inner portions of the fenders before I drop the booth. I stripped down the passenger side which looked to be in good shape. Given its inner fender, I think the previous owner might have replaced it.

The driver's side has rust holes covered by more butyl! I searched for a replacement but they're scarce.
Just have to fix it I guess (sigh!)

I wish I had a brake about now! The vise will have to do.

Should work.

Out with the old in with a piece of 18ga.

 

[Glenwood]

 

[Glenwood]

Welded a few more small patches and a little All-Metal to smooth things over.

 

[Glenwood]

A little epoxy to seal it up. Hopefully painting tomorrow. The temperature is dropping near freezing at night lately so it's cutting it close for it to stay warm enough in the shop fore the epoxy to cure properly. Can't exactly turn the heat on with the plastic clamped to the heater lol! It'll stay about 65F for a few days so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[HawkRod]

Great work - very impressive! You're gaining on it now!!!

 

[Superfreak]

Your almost there and the excitement must really be building. Keep at it.

 

[Glenwood]

It is SF but it's bitter sweet with the summer over. I may as well prepare to do the floor pan!

 

[lxmodguy]

This is a great thread. The way you documented the repairs is awesome. Good luck with it, seems like it is going to be a great car

 

[Crumley]

Gleenwood, you are almost there, keep at it. Rust never sleeps...lol. Just think about all of the metal working skills you have developed....The car is looking awesome. You will be driving that convertible before to long.

Add to the list, floor boards? Hopefully that won't be another can of worms....Well winter is almost upon ya'll, it will give you something to do, other then sitting out on a cold frozen lake fishing and drinking adult beverages....

 

[Glenwood]

Thanks lxmodguy & crumley. I usually do some sledding with my 150hp turbo polaris but last year we had hardly any snow. I'd like to replace the full pan while the windshield is out because I'll have to add some temporary supports being a ragtop. No sense rushing things now!
Question for you guys: should the torsion bars be out while the floor is being replaced?