Progress Thread 88 Gt T-top- Project problem child

[billison]

The family took a nap today so I snuck out and started on the passenger door. It’s Funny how fast things go the third time around. Took about a half hour and got the hardware and trim stripped from the door. Went ahead and pulled the glass. Gonna
Make something to keep them safe. So far no surprises with this door, let’s see what’s under the paint. Just lots and lots of dust from all
The sanding.

Anyone know if the window guides are side specific, not the bushing but the actual
Metal guide. The one in this door had a broken studs they replaced with a bolt but I have the one from the donor.

 

[hsean]

man i am glad to finish mine looking at all these pics brings back all the long days spent working on mine.looking good Bill maybe when you get it done you will bring it to michigan for car show and woodward dream cruise the next day.nice job

 

[billison]

It’s been a road so far. I’m still learning a lot. I’m torn about if I wanna paint it myself or pay someone to spray it. I’ve done so much is it and really like the idea of doing it myself, and the cut and buff will fix most mistakes, but part of me wants it to just be done.


The wife came through today!!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Very cool, a marti.

 

[billison]

Yup. I wish I could get a breakdown of how many t tops had what options.

Also not sure what the “light group” option is. Under dash lights I assume.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Yup. I wish I could get a breakdown of how many t tops had what options.

Also not sure what the “light group” option is. Under dash lights I assume.

If you pay the big bucks, they’ll break down the details pretty well.

 

[billison]

Just frustrating.. started to strip the door. Very quickly found over 1/4 of body filler and drilled holes from a slide hammer. The center had 1/2” of filler. Currently hunting for a passenger door. Trying to look at the positives. I know how to swap the parts. Now I don’t have to deal with chipping paint in the jambs, more spare parts. I’ll keep pushing. This thing will get done .

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I can’t complain about replacing body panel myself

 

[billison]

I can’t complain about replacing body panel myself

Nope. It could be much worse. Much much worse

 

[billison]

Ok, started the hunt for doors. Found a set of 87 vert doors, was super excited, they were rusted out, so that was a no go. From there I decided to walk through the junk yard. Found a nice 91 2.3 hard top. Passenger door was almost perfect. Just light surface rust under the seam sealer. Picked it up for $60 . It’s home. Frame is cut off. I stared stripping the seam sealer and it’s cleaning up very nicely. I’m gonna sand blast the seams tomorrow and hopefully get it stripped and in primer tomorrow.

I had a good laugh as I was walking out of the garage tonight. I remembered telling the wife that I thought I’d get the doors done in a week. Ha!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Yeah.....and I thought I would be driving my blue car in a few months.

 

[billison]

FINALLY done with the doors. Thought I was done Sunday, but something fell off a shelf and hit a freshly primed spot.

So a few days later and we’re done. I’m gonna treat myself by going to bed early for the first time in God knows how long.

Things left

Fenders
Hood
front bumper
6 ground effects

Then double check and paint. There is now a light at the end the tunnel .

 

[billison]

More progress.

Dropped the under door ground effects off at a body shop to get stripped. Should have them back this week. The front 2 fender extensions will need replaced, one had a section cut out and the screw holes were both tore on the other, have a couple leads.

Still looking for a nice factory front bumper, not much luck but did find a deal on a lmr replacement.

I stripped the fenders and was left very happy. Both seem to be in good shape. The passenger side had 1 small ding and some surface rust that was painted over. The rust was so light it come off with the paint. The dent was easy to access, I knocked it close to flush and it took minimal filler. Drivers side had 2 dings. Both where easy to hammer up, one completely disappeared, the other took a little filler. Minus a minor hick up with the paint stripper , they are currently in primer waiting to cure and start blocking.

Sorry about the lack of pictures , all the stripping and sanding has my garage looking like a dusty trash can.

 

[95BlueStallion]

Progress is progress, regardless of pictures. The pictures we all want are the ones of it done!

 

[billison]

Progress is progress, regardless of pictures. The pictures we all want are the ones of it done!

Me too friend, me too.

 

[Noobz347]

Trying to look at the positives.

Nope. It could be much worse. Much much worse

Yeah... It could have been a quarter panel. Replacement door?

 

[billison]

I take it back. I will post a picture. I picked up this bad boy a few weeks ago. Hooks right up to the house gas. Gets the garage nice and toasty in about 30 min. Nothing like snow on the ground while I work in a t shirt.


And yeah, noobz, replaced both doors. I’d rather do that twice than the quarters.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Heat good

 

[billison]

Fenders are done.

Found a factory bumper cover that had never been repainted. I’ve gotten it sanded , filled the rock chips and gotten it primed and started sanding.

Got the ground effects back from the body shop, they’ll be next on my list. Officially no more white on the car. Pretty excited about that.

Also upgraded my air compressor. No more 20 gallon. Now I got this 60 gallon bad boy.

 

[General karthief]

Is that compressor loud?