1996 Caprice project getting started

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PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:50 pm
Hello all. Thought Id start here looking for tips on getting started. No idea how much of this I plan to do myself. Attached pics so everyone gets an idea of what I am working with. Bought the car 6-7 years ago. Tucson PD car for until a year before I bought it. Bounced through several hands until I picked it up from a likely illicit substance dealer with a clean title. No obvious previous body damage. Paint looked like hell when I got it but the car is straight. No rust. Well, maybe rust, check out the pics.

For me. I have car experience but zero autobody. I did cam heads, exhaust, transmission, rear end. Then we raced it for a couple years until it started leaking. Just finished a bigger engine/tranny build. Figured I better make it a better looking car. She deserves it. 3 car garage at home. Extensive tool collection. Standing compressor although not a pro level compressor. DA. No other body tools (sanding blocks and such).

Goal - good looking white car. Nothing award winning. Better than Earl Sheib.

This is what I am starting with:
20210115_163151.jpg
Car pics

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peeling

20210115_163217.jpg
cracking

20210115_163257.jpg
layer of rattle can paint over oem?

20210115_163240.jpg
police numbers paint rusting



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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:31 pm
Hey welcome

So lets start off with the Basics first, what do you have for a compressor ?
A good compressor will serve you well for many many years.
Please post up your compressors specs, HP rating and CFM rating at 0, 40, & 90 PSI if it is on a Label on the machine. If not post a picture of the machine we may be able to identify it and find the specs.
If your gonna do this type of work you need a suitable machine it really is the Heart of your whole shop. Painting is not forgiving to air pressure fluctuations so a suitable size machine is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!! To add to it Blasters die grinders, DA sanders are generally air hogs!

After Compressor talk we need to look at your Water trap system or design as water and paint don't get along well together and ALL compressors make water!
Some of us use an Air drier in conjunction with a water trap for the ultimate in clean dried air but not all do so I cant really say its absolutely necessary but I highly recommend it.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:19 pm
I recommend reading all the articles in the Info Center and Sticky Posts at the top of each forum.
https://www.autobody101.com/content/art ... ould-know/

Then you need to decide what your goal is with this car, a complete restoration, customized, or daily driver? All have different steps to them, some more involved than others.

Visit the Members Projects section and look at what others have done or are in the process of doing. This will help give you an idea of what lies ahead.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31



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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:10 am
You are starting like me with zero bodywork experience. Get used to lots of sanding, you can get this car to a very nice ending, it takes time and again lots of sanding. Lots of good info on this site. Just about at the end of my project.

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:20 am
Not trying to scare you but rather help you to see reality.

You're not doing a full restoration but rather a repaint.
Here's a project that was supposed be a freshen up. Like many projects once you tear into it issues keep popping up.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=24358&start=10
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31



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PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:29 pm
Just looked through Jim's thread >>> it was before I arrived here
What a great job and progression of work.
I think his point is that was a May to November time frame and a lot of it was spent on little details like trim and interior work, by a guy with mad skills.

I know he is not trying to discourage you but to have you go in eyes wide open
I have a good size compressor at my cousins shop, but to save wear and tear in it I try to use an electric DA and other electric sanding tools >>> just a thought

JT

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