Hey Everyone. We just started wrapping up the engine rebuild for now and next step is to start on the body work. I wanted to start a thread because I have a series of questions as I go and I could really use the advice. The Game Plan Remove and replace Vinyl top (painting car before its replaced) Have rust cut out and new metal welded in remove all the trim Repair dent on passenger rear quarter panel (would slide hammer be best?) replace weather stripping some trim will have to be replaced (was damaged or lost before I bought the car Prep the car to be painted and send it to the shop Later on rechrome the bumpers and refinish the wheel wells and try and get some kind of rust protection on the frame Also later on restoring the inside of the trunk and inerior but that will all come later on. Other then the cutting and welding and the paint itself we are trying to do the rest ourselves to save money. We are keeping the original color paint and hopefully the original style/color vinyl top also (i don't know what my options are as of now) My first question is.. How do I safely remove the emblems and trim on the vinyl roof and around the windows. I cut a few pieces of the vinyl roof off to get a good look at the damage and it peeled off pretty easy so I'm not worried about that. Second question.. WHen I go to replace the trim is there anything wrong with using the 3m double sided tape?? Or is there a better way? If so can I go ahead and remove the original pins for the trim along the side? And what about replacing the trim around the rear windsheild.. Is there a better way to do it other then the original clips that it has on it? And underneath the trim was some black gunk i'm assuming to prevent leaks.. Does this need to be reapplied when we put the trim back on? Thats it for now, Thanks in advance for all the help guys.ray: -Dru Also see my post Rust around front and rear windsheild to see pics of some of the rust under the vinyl.
the top trim has small plastic clips and can be poped off using two putty knifes..... the top L shaped pieces have a nut holding them on (you can access them in the trunk) the buick emblems are a push in design and i dont know the proper way to remove them.......... i know all this because mine were damaged in removal.............. scott
Just an Update. I have found someone who is going to do the cutting and welding of the rust around the windows, and body work and paint. I'm very excited.. I have heard good things about their work and my dad has doen business with the gentleman before so everyone cross your fingers for me. All we have to do is toss the power steering pump in the car and take it on down. The pump is being rebuilt somewhere out of state at the moment, hopefully it will get here before the end of next week. I also found a hood latch on a 70 wildcat in the junk yard but thats about all I found on it.. slim pickins. I have been reading about Soda blasting and am interested in getting my trunk and some other parts of the car Soda blasted. Any reccomendations.. or anyone care to explain the pros and cons of soda blasting for me? I just hope it isn't too expensive. Thats it for now, Thanks for the help everyone. :beers2: -Dru
