Don's 1969 Charger Restoration

[mopar4don]

Thanks chargervert

So right now I am prepping the back half of the car. Getting it ready for the single stage T7 that will be sprayed from the door jams back. Hopefully this weekend I will have a temporary makeshift spray booth setup in my garage.

 

[mopar4don]

So here is the temporary spray booth I setup

Here are some before pics

 

[mopar4don]

Ok now for some action pics.
Here is Rafael putting down some sealer

 

[mopar4don]

And now some pics of the color on

This is what it looks like with NO ventilation
Yeah I snapped this photo and had to get out! And yes I did have a respirator on

 

[mopar4don]

Here he is giving me the all done signal with a thumbs up

Here are some after pics

Turned out AWESOME!
I love the color. (T7 Dark Bronze)
My thanks to Rafael, he really had to work hard especially when he could hardly see!

 

[Fran Blacker]

Nice, glad to see the space suit on your friend? Rafael

 

[mopar4don]

Nice, glad to see the space suit on your friend? Rafael

Absolutely! I felt bad he had to go into that environment, but he is the one that suggested doing it this way, so I guess he knew what he was in for.

 

[mopar4don]

The next things to do will be installation of the quarter panels, deck filler, tail panel, rear valance, and rear corners. Lord willing, and with Kolly's help, it will be done this Sat

 

[ct71rr]

It’s really coming along now! Color looks great!

 

[mopar4don]

It’s really coming along now! Color looks great!

Thanks Chad

 

[pat1969charger]

Wow Don that look awesome! Your car has come so far since I started following about 7-8 years ago. It’s looking great and has to feel really good for you to think back to how far apart it was mid 2014. Keep up the great work, maybe someday I will join you with mine !

 

[mopar4don]

Well It took a bit longer than I thought. But we did get it.
Everything is welded in at the top and along the trunk.
I still need to weld in the quarters along the door and bottom.

Here are a few pics

Now I have lots of grinding to do..

 

[747mopar]

Wow, seems like forever since I first started watching this build.. finally on the home stretch! It may not feel like it but from where you started.. I'm thinking it's at least at the 3/4 stage. Looking great



You need to make yourself a set of these, they kick *** for plug welding the panels back on. I just modified these adding the mounting pad for a piece of 1/4" thick copper. Not only does it clamp it tight but it allows you to crank the amps up for great penetration and a flat weld without any risk of blowing through.

 

[mopar4don]

Wow, seems like forever since I first started watching this build.. finally on the home stretch! It may not feel like it but from where you started.. I'm thinking it's at least at the 3/4 stage. Looking great



You need to make yourself a set of these, they kick *** for plug welding the panels back on. I just modified these adding the mounting pad for a piece of 1/4" thick copper. Not only does it clamp it tight but it allows you to crank the amps up for great penetration and a flat weld without any risk of blowing through.

Thanks Devin,
maybe at the 3/4 stage with body work, and 1/8 - 1/4 over all? It's hard to say.
I just keep at it when I can.
You know I think I have something like that copper backed clamp you made.
I will look for them. Thanks for suggestion!

 

[BigBlock61]

You are coming along great.

 

[Nxcoupe]

All I can say is wow! It took me a few days to read it all with my wife asking what's so compelling on your phone? I've restored quite a few cars and I have to say, for your first one, you have surpassed what most would think is possible to do in a resto. I chuckle when I hear guys say, oh that's way to rusty to save. I see the car done in my head, just have to put metal where it's missing. I have 2 I'm getting ready to do for myself, then I'm going to be looking for one that's "to far gone" lol and save it. Like you have.
Hats off to you. Keep on, keepin on. I'll be following.

 

[SGTPaul]

Looking really good Don!

 

[ct71rr]

Very nice!

 

[mopar4don]

You are coming along great.

Thank you

All I can say is wow! It took me a few days to read it all with my wife asking what's so compelling on your phone? I've restored quite a few cars and I have to say, for your first one, you have surpassed what most would think is possible to do in a resto. I chuckle when I hear guys say, oh that's way to rusty to save. I see the car done in my head, just have to put metal where it's missing. I have 2 I'm getting ready to do for myself, then I'm going to be looking for one that's "to far gone" lol and save it. Like you have.
Hats off to you. Keep on, keepin on. I'll be following.

I have to say when I got the car I did not think it would evolve into this,
but hey it keeps out of trouble!

Looking really good Don!

Thanks Paul

Very nice!

It's a work in progress

 

[mopar4don]

So I put some epoxy over the welded up areas. Back window lip, trunk lip perimeter, and rear tail panel and valance

My grandson approves!