quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: I don't how you could possibly screw that up. I guess you just didn't put enough paint on it. You must have bought a color that was very translucent. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!

Just a sucky painter I guess.

I dont see either. All the GM whites seem to cover fully in 2-3 coats max. The only thing I can see doing that is completely different weather conditions when you painted each panel or a different can of paint each piece. If I buy multiple quarts, I always mix them all together first to insure uniform color. Individual cans can vary slightly. The mixer blends the components by weight not volume and just a dab too much of one can throw it off a lot. Whites for example have a lot of blue in the formula and just the left over blue on the stick can throw it way off. This is another reason I prefer to trim in panels, assemble it, and shoot the majority in one piece. Some colors, this is the ONLY way. Whites and blacks are the only colors I will panel paint doing a repair...almost always ,95%...match even on an older car.

It's been a very busy month at the shop and the only thing I've been able to get done on my Fiero is wipe off the growth of dust.
I got down there today for a few hours to start bonding on my rear decklid scoop. Now, you body guys are going to cringe when you see this, but I figure if I screw it up, I'll just start over again. As of today, I used the two part SMC panel adhesive to bond on the scoop. Tomorrow, I'm going to make sure that I didn't miss anything and then start filling in the gaps and sanding. If all goes well, I'll have it primed by the weekend....then a few more hours of sanding the car and I'll prime the car. I'm also planning a complete suspension overhaul on my wife's Fiero for September, so all my free time will be spent with Fieros.
Here are some pics from today.
Dave
This is the original hole size needed to clear the four carburetors

Here it is opened up to fit the scoop.

Here the paint has been stripped down to the primer

Here the scoop sits for the night so the adhesive can cure.

Just wanted to give a little bump. My plans are to have it painted by October 31st. I have the paint almost down to the primer and/or plastic. I found about six coats of paint on the roof....not including the clear.....WTF?



still sanding and filling

I just went thru that with my Coronet. Being metal though, I wont have the problems you would. Make sure the first sanding of primer is with a block so you wont have any dips or waves in the paint. You cant eliminate 100% of them on a Fiero because just sitting in the sun will warp panels some, but blocking the primer will reduce it to at least manageable. I hate stripping a vette or Fiero with a sander. The Coronet only had been painted once in her life, so sanding the metal body down was only two 8 hour days. I already blocked that and its dead straight end to end.

Yesterday, I took off the bumpers, hoods, ground effects and put the old rims back on (don't want to mess up the new rims). I'm going to finish getting it down to the primer to get all the scratches out.
Dave

After sanding it down that far (especially the top with all that paint), you're going to need more than just a couple coats of primer to block it out straight. I suggest 1 coat epoxy, & 2 coats of catalyst-hardened high-build. I use Ditzler/PPG epoxy & Sikkens high-build, but they are *not* cheap. Before blocking, dust a light coat (mist) of flat black (spray can) laquer. When blocking it will show you the low spots. Block with a good straight paint paddle & medium sponge pad (for the tight curves like around the fenderwells), with 180 wet. If it dosen't block out the first time (you hit the epoxy before all the flat black dissapears), apply another coat (or two) of the high-build. Final coat of epoxy & wet sand that with 400 (mist black dosen't hurt here too), or finish the high-build with 320 wet & shoot the epoxy, wait 30 minites, & shoot the paint.
(Edit) You *really* need to at least take the ground effects off to do the job right.
Good luck,
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Each year, more children drown in buckets or pails than are accidentally killed with a firearm.

[This message has been edited by Tha Driver (edited 09-07-2007).]

I was quoted $5000 to get my car repainted. The car's not really in bad condition, but I wanted it done right. But, $5000 for a car I bought for $3000??
We shall see.....

With all the labor involved in sanding and prepping. I can understand why $5,000 is the happy number.
I have a body shop guy coaching me on this and let me tell you.....I thought I was OCD. Holy poop! but at least I know that it will be beautiful when it is done.
Dave

You really don't want to get that dust in under the hood if you can help it. I sanded mine and when i was done i washed in there 3 or 4 times and its still red. It is better but still cover it and save your self alot of cleaning. Especially for someone with OCD. Looks good though.

I cover everything in plastic and coverings when I am sanding. The engine is still pretty clean and still runs NICE!!!!
Dave

I can't wait to see the color combo. I thought about going two-tone with mine. Have do those sets sit/fit in your car?

The APC seats fit nice, but the parking brake handle is a tight fit when pulled up. I never use it anyway. The only complaint about the seats is it is hard to get in and out of the car, but once you are in, I could stay in there for hours....or until I run out of gas.
Dave

bump because we are on target for the end of the month to be completed.
Dave

As I stand here before you all as my witnesses.....I vow to never pick up or use another DA sander for as long as I live.
I seriously have no idea how you body guys stay sane.
Dave

quote Originally posted by bmwguru: As I stand here before you all as my witnesses.....I vow to never pick up or use another DA sander for as long as I live. I seriously have no idea how you body guys stay sane. Dave

It helps to drink.

quote Originally posted by bmwguru: As I stand here before you all as my witnesses.....I vow to never pick up or use another DA sander for as long as I live. I seriously have no idea how you body guys stay sane. Dave

LOL! Nothing like having someone paint their own car to appreciate the s*** we go through. Think about this: try using all those vibrating tools for 35+ years & see what it does to your joints - not to mention what the concrete does to your knees & the heavy lifting does to your back.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

I checked today and... this is the oldest I've ever been.

quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: LOL! Nothing like having someone paint their own car to appreciate the s*** we go through. Think about this: try using all those vibrating tools for 35+ years & see what it does to your joints - not to mention what the concrete does to your knees & the heavy lifting does to your back. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" I checked today and... this is the oldest I've ever been.

I use air impact tools every day for 15 years now and let me tell you, I can already see the damage. My handwriting used to be perfect and now even trying, it is terrible. My hands have a slight shake when I try to solder a circuit board or other precise job.
But to make over six figures a year doing my hobby....priceless.
Dave

quote Originally posted by bmwguru: I use air impact tools every day for 15 years now and let me tell you, I can already see the damage. My handwriting used to be perfect and now even trying, it is terrible. My hands have a slight shake when I try to solder a circuit board or other precise job. But to make over six figures a year doing my hobby....priceless. Dave

That's right you're a mechanic... Still impacts don't vibrate near as much as some sanders & air chisels, & you don't hold an impact on for hours at a time.
I've never made anywhere near that kind of money either.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

The United States is the only industrialized nation to *outlaw* hemp production.

quote Originally posted by bmwguru: As I stand here before you all as my witnesses.....I vow to never pick up or use another DA sander for as long as I live. I seriously have no idea how you body guys stay sane. Dave

It's the fumes, I painted my own car and swore to never paint another one!
Good Luck Keep us posted
Gary

quote Originally posted by Tha Driver: That's right you're a mechanic... Still impacts don't vibrate near as much as some sanders & air chisels, & you don't hold an impact on for hours at a time. I've never made anywhere near that kind of money either. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" The United States is the only industrialized nation to *outlaw* hemp production.

When I worked as a flat rate tech I flagged out over 110 hours a week....every week. Now, rather than make someone else rich, I have my own german car shop. I've always been a go-getter since I was a kid. Back when I pumped gas, I made $8.00 an hour and worked 90-120 hours a week. Overtime hit at 40 hours. If I was awake, I went to work.
Dave

ok, a little update. I got so fed up with trying to make the prep perfect. I gave in to the all mighty wizard of wonder and twisted his arm into letting me drop off my Fiero at his body shop. I did learn a lot from the experience. I just realized that I am no artist. I can build 10 second cars, but I am not a body guy.
I was very impressed with the professionalism of his shop. I took the Fiero over there on my trailer and before I even had it unloaded he had two guys taking the parts out of the rear hatch of my truck/SUV and started working on them. They told me that I should have the car back in my hands in my scheduled time.....end of the month.
Sorry to wuss out, I just know my expectations exceeds my ability. I'll post some pics later this month.
Dave

Except for rust, metal cars are sooooooooo much easier. My Coronet has been in primer and blocked a few times. I DA sanded it all to bare metal except the jams. I used a sandblaster on all the jams and sills. There already trimmed in with the new color. I plan on shooting the body Thanksgiving weekend. Final touch up sanding 1st day, masking 2nd day and spray the 3rd. Most of it will prob be color sanded on Sunday and buffed. Its so much easier while its fresh. Clearcoat keeps getting harder the longer you wait. I like to wait a while with just primer if I can to be sure everything is OK before final color goes on. My dealers usually quit sending cars over around then and dont pick back up till after New Years. Here anything they have on the lot the end of the year, they have to pay taxes on so they keep very little inventory then. Gives me nice time to play with my own stuff uninterupted. At least with Corvettes the body is a LOT firmer than Fieros, so it can be blocked pretty well. The bad part is you dont want to make them perfect because theyre wavey from the factory, so you have to leave some in. Ive even perfected a method (its my secret) for reproducing the fender and quarter panel seams where they glue them together for the true diehard vette guys.

I just wanted to put some update pics up. The body shop had made my feeble attempt at making a decklid scoop a work of art. If all goes well the car will be primed on Monday or Tuesday.
Dave

Hey, is that a 6 pack Mopar hood you used. Looks identical to the one on my Coronet........? When they supposed to be done with it ?

They told me that they would adhere to my time frame and have the car ready for Halloween. Orange and black car. Just in time.
The hood scoop is the Mopar. My last V8 had the same scoop and I liked the way it looked. I sold it a few years ago and now wish that I hadn't...it would have fit nicely on my wife's 86 SE.
Dave

ok, here is an update.....I will give the body shop credit. They didn't say which Halloween it would be ready by. BUT the quality is top notch, so far. Here are a few update pics. I just may have the car back by spring for Carlisle.
Dave

Looks really nice. And that def is ORANGE lol

WOW!!! Looks like it will be well worth the wait. I wouldn't drive that in the winter anyway.

Ryan

It is the perfect hue of orange in my opinion. and I will be taking this out on the nicer winter days....I can't wait to drive it again.
Dave

whooo hoooo ha ha ha ha ha.......er.....





obviously, the scrap rims and tires are on the car. The HP Racing rims are safe at my shop

UGLY!!!!! IMO the color combo only looks good for Halloween, nothing else. Paint quality may be damn near perfect, but I happen to think it's gay.

Joey

I like the Musclecar look, you did a great job on the quarter panel curves.

Nice work.

[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 01-14-2008).]

quote Originally posted by anonymity: UGLY!!!!! IMO the color combo only looks good for Halloween, nothing else. Paint quality may be damn near perfect, but I happen to think it's gay. Joey

Thank you, my loving wife.

WOW! They did a great job. I'm looking forward to finally seeing it in person.

Ryan

Joey, don't hold back. Why don't you tell him how you feel?