AWESOME effort Collin - I only wish I had the skills to tackle panel replacement like you have done. ... When you're done learning all the intricacies of the 69 converts let me know and I'll ship mine down for you to work your majic
Thanks alot Adam...Its not as hard as you would think. It just takes practice and time. I've been over every inch of my 69 convertible and know it well, so when your ready for a road trip let me know and we'll work on yours too!:TU:
Today I had some time so I fixed the rotted lower section on the fender I posted a pic of earlier. It's a pretty simple and straight forward section to replace. When I cut out the rusted out section I found cardboard and body filler:eek2:..I just had to laugh. Now the fender has all good metal in it and is ready for epoxy primer and some filler to smooth things out. Remember..when your making your patch panels or useing pre made ones, take the time to make sure they fit really good, its makes welding them in easier and you end up with a better finished project.
So....its 55 plus degrees here today in NW Ohio so I high tailed my ass to the garage today before the wife could catch me and mixed up a bunch of epoxy primer to get the fenders, doors, LH front inner wheel well and RH quarter panel sealed up. I have been trying to get this done for weeks and am glad I caught a break today to get it done. :beer I'll be useing the original Skylark hood, I just have a couple small pin holes to weld up then its off to the media blasters with a very nice rust free deck lid I got from Gary Paine. Once those are done I'll shoot em with some epoxy primer also.
So...looky what I got today! Picked up this hood from a 69 GS Stage 1, got my quarter panel skin from Tabco(Made in USA and not a bad piece, I'm impressed) and then I picked up a RH front inner wheel well. I have just a little repair work to do on the wheel well, but its a nice piece overall. I drove a total of 341 miles today to pick it all up, but I got it..:grin:
I've heard and painfully experienced very poor fit of the TABCO DS quarter panel. According to the 'restoration shop' that replaced said quarter- it required hours of straightening, etc for it to fit right....
well hell:rant:not was I was hoping to hear, but thanks for the heads up. I'll know how it fits next week when I install it. Visually I was impressed anyway, looks like a nice solid piece. I'll report back when its installed though.
The driver side Tabco quarter panel skin is in, I have to admit I really had no problems getting it to fit well aside from the normal push and shove tweeks needed with most aftermarket panels. The body lines lined up great and I had no major problems. I am pleased with it.
Collin- glad it went on well!! Again, I was going by what the 'PROFESSIONAL'uzzled: Buick restoration shop told me. Who knows... could've been a fleese job to get more money out of me. Very big leason learned: buy a rust/rot/damage free car or do your own body work (much like you are). :Brow: Glad to see it's coming along... :TU:
Thats a nice looking hood I've always liked the 69 GS Hood's the most. I do wonder what happened to the Stage 1 it came from, it looks like its in good shape so there must be a Stage car that met a tragic end.
Collin, Great work. Love the frame color. Was it also ceramic ? PS a good option to the media blasting is chemical strip & DE-rust. Saved me hours of cleanup. Watch the game with a cold beverage instead of wire wheel :laugh:. regards DL
I've thought, and wondered the same thing Pete. I catch myself staring at this hood all the time wondering myself. It is in such great condition you would have to see it in person to appreciate it. I almost feel guilty putting it on my car and not another Stage 1 car...or at least a real GS car. Thanks for the props fellas... ---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ---------- DL, thanks for the props...the frame paint is not a ceramic paint. It's just a urethane base/clear. I like your option to the media blasting, but I have a local company I have been taking my stuff to that treats me very good, and I still get to watch the games with a cold beverage!:laugh: I've only wire wheeled small parts to pass the time.
Collin , I forgot to mention . Are you still looking for the steering box hardware ? AMK sells a kit with the 3 bolts & washers . Also I may have some 68/69 bumper brackets but not sure which pieces . DL
thanks for thinking of me, I bought a set of steering box bolts and I now have all the brackets needed. :beer
Collin- need a 'favor'. Did you ever send payment for the brackets I sent you around APRIL 25, 2012 for cost of shipping ONLY? The ones you promised to send payment for numerous times since then? I just need confirmation you sent payment- cancelled check, money order 'receipt', etc. If you didn't send payment, please SEND BACK MY PARTS.
George you have got some balls asking for reimbursement for shipping for parts you gave away. Especially in such a short period of time, less than a year:banghead: He can drive 350 miles to get a hood for the car....I wonder how many post offices he drove by on the way. Not cool, especially doing it to a good guy like George
