12 year olds and cars - Kathryn's Fiero (Page 9/175)
michhiker28 MAY 09, 10:09 PM
Thanks Blackrams,
I think that the daughter is probably cooler than I am, but I'm lucky....she still likes for me to hang around with her, so what dad can complain about that right?

As promised here are some of the photos of the latest progress.

The wheels have been an absolute nightmare. I'm about ready to chuck it in, get them as good as we can and call them winter wheels and then look for either a nice set of the GT lace wheels in black, or a nice set of 16" aftermarkets for her for the summer. We'll see though I guess. It is harder when you are spending her money. We'll see what comes about. After all she might not need winter wheels. After spending this kind of time and effort on the project she is already talking about buying a "beater" car for when it isn't nice out and taking to school. She is already worried about people scratching it or hurting it......I guess that is what you get when she pours her heart and soul in, so I can't complain about that either. Anyway, here are the wheels.

First step was the prep...

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Then it was yellow on the PONTIAC on the spoke.

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Then mask and clay that off, and on to primer the whole wheel

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Then on to the black.......

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Perhaps the one piece that has taken a significant amount of time was the recovering of the map pocket. Kathryn resewed the Fiero emblem to the new yellow material at least 3 times before we got it right with some help from Mom. Then we needed to get it on the map pocket frame. The results however look pretty good I think.

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That meant that the dash was all ready to go back together...so here is Kathryn putting the whole think back together.

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and the final product......

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We have also been gluing the vinyl on the center console so that that has involved a lot of clamping, stretching, and painting....

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and finally the headliner.....the most recent project.....

First of course you have to clean off all the old foam backing etc. Kathryn still can't believe how much "grunge" accumulates in 25 years.....lol! But she likes the reward of seeing all the nice bright, shiny, and nice restored pieces.

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Once the old is cleaned off it is time to layout the new liner

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Then the scary part...time to glue it all in place on the front, turn it over and glue the edges....

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and Ta Da!!!! it looks like this....

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Flip it over and.....

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And then it is time for Kathryn to head off to bed.....

Hope you all have a great night, thanks for reading, and for helping to make Kathryn's build experience memorable.

-MH
blackrams MAY 09, 10:25 PM
This is such a cool thread. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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Ron

Nexus MAY 09, 11:19 PM
This thread was posted on another forum I frequent a lot. I just wanted to say that the work that has been done is great and encouraging for me because my Son is getting close to the age needing to start a project for when he's old enought to drive.

I am very impressed and look forward to following the thread as it matures.

a round of applause is in order indeed

Great work Kathryn

[This message has been edited by Nexus (edited 05-09-2011).]

Kento MAY 10, 08:45 AM
Awesome Project. I plan on doing the same with my daughter. at 4 she is already helping daddy with the oil changes and air filter changes I would recommend having the wheels powder coated. Much more durable then paint and they end up looking great I can find a custom coater in your area if you want.

Joe N.

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****************************************

88 Formula CJB Arrived Finally. #689 of 1252
Time to start Working TONY!
There are Two kinds of Fiero's : Notchies and Donors!

Benja MAY 10, 08:46 AM
I would be smiling like that too if I had 5 bottles of Vino to my left.
johnyrottin MAY 10, 08:50 AM
What glue did you use in glueing all the console bits back together??? I am going ot need to accomlish this as well...and soon!
datacop MAY 10, 09:24 AM

quote
Originally posted by johnyrottin:

What glue did you use in glueing all the console bits back together??? I am going ot need to accomlish this as well...and soon!



Gorilla Glue... The only one for this job
ALJR MAY 10, 11:27 AM
Looks Good!

Just a lil tip on that head liner (and you may already know of it); when you cut the opening for the sunroof, just make an "X" in the opening. Do not cut the X all the way to the corners. Once the headliner is installed, you can trim off what you do not need. Just remember, the edges tuck-in and the trim piece covers the seam. I have seen too many ppl not leave enough of an edge when they cut the opening for the sunroof; make a perfect recover look hacked...
GADJet MAY 10, 01:18 PM
I am very impressed with the determination she has put into this. You as well dad. I find this thread very appealing to me as my 5 year old girl claims my 86 coupe as "Her" car and she helps me work on it. Handing me wrenches etc... When I need a buddy to help me or aid me with company she is the one I look for. Now granted she is 5 and her attention span isnt the greatest but she loves to help daddy work on "Her" car. The best part of this whole ordeal is the bonding time you spend with your kids. Michhiker, I do however see that you have more than 1 more to build. You apparently will have to work on 3 more. 2 more children and the one for yourself! LOL

Great work Kathryn keep up the determination, you have a fantastic car already. It can only get better. Thumbs up to dad also for taking the time to do this with his children. Love this thread!
michhiker28 MAY 10, 01:21 PM
Again,
Thanks all. I think tonight we will work a bit on the headlight motor assemblys, and putting the center console back together.

ALJR, thanks for that tip on the headliner, it will be put to good use!

Johnny, Data is correct, we used gorilla glue and those office binder clips...works great except you need to be careful with the clips, sometimes they slip off real easily...make sure you have them right where you want them and then leave them to sit where they won't be disturbed until the glue sets up.

Kento, YES! If you know a good custom powdercoater in our area we are all ears. We are in Mid Michigan, Mt Pleasant, Midland, Alma area would be great.

Nexus, where else did you see the thread since we are only posting here and at www.myfiero.webs.com......would love to know if it got picked up somewhere else too.

-MH