Denpo

Thanks Brent.
I know you can imagine, given how many time you've put in project.

PeteZO6

So far it looks really good Forgive an ignorant question, why isn't the flare complete to the bottom of the wheel opening?

Pete

Denpo

Thanks Pete .
It's still open because the shape transition is more complicated, steeper curves, smaller contact area.
So I wanted to first try on the simple area.
Now the easy part is done I've gathered enough know-how to tackle this this week.

AirborneSilva

Lookin good there Denpo, you're braver than I am

Denpo

Thank you man

Sportsdad

Wow! Impressive "restoration" artists here on this forum!
Very impressed by all the threads of sharing!
I can see myslef referring to this hyperlinked thread quite often in the future!

Thank you very much for sharing!
Here was my big restoration project on a motor home (beginning on picture # 14) Not as intensive as yours but fun none the less!

"A picture is worth a 1000 words"
https://picasaweb.google.com/1085301...etwoodJamboree

Denpo

You're welcome Sir.

This is a win-win situation, I get the uplifting comments, you get the pictures and information.
Right now I'm all pumped up, the flares give very good return for the work invested, but when you're stuck on some not so sexy tasks like fighting the wiring harness gremlins, it's good to remember there's people are watching.
By the way you make me think about updating my first page index, haven't done it for a while.
I'm at work right now and don't seem to be able to browse picasa URLs, will have a look at it tonight.

Denpo

That's how I cleaned the front area.
Still reluctant to cut further, it could be structural and it won't show anyway.



I decided to bridge the area with fiberglass mat this time, it was okay, but I think I'll stick to fabric for now on when it's about bridging.
This time I put the bridge on the exterior of the body.



Here's my poor's man vaccum setup.
Saran wrap!


It allows me to force the fiber to stick at stiffer angle and use muuuch less resin. You push the bubbles out and nothing can come back in.
You can massage it while it cure with your bare hand, and it never stick.

In the middle of the fender I'm laying 7 layers of mat with barely any bubbles despite what the picture seems to show.
I've been using this trick since I started the fenders, but I wanted to wait before boasting about this.
However now I can say I love it, makes the job easier and less messy.

I started mudding the back area.

brent319

Neat trick with the servant wrap. I have never tried that but it looks like a great idea.

rogman16

Rogman

Denpo

After a quick sanding, I glassed again (4 layers)



FYI this how it looks unwrapped.



After sanding the second layer down, I stumbled on what I think was my problem in this area.
It's actually pretty stupid for me not realizing it.
I just CAN'T use the lip's slope in this particular area, simply because in the unflared stock situation, in this area, the fender lips is blending straight into the body. Doh.
I make a exagerated highlight for you to see.
Red is was I have now
Blue is where I'm heading.




Here the flash reveal the bump, even with the filler on the back, it still shows.


So I've put 4 layers on the backside, on the outside (the wrap is visible in the above picture), and tomorrow I'll sand my way into this, and reach the perfect tangent.
Hopefully the other side will take a fraction of the time spend on this side.

Denpo

I'm getting closer....




The fiberglass piece in the pic is the replacement for the quarter panel mounting tab, which was broken.
I had a lot more sanding than expected, simply because I blindly followed the lip curvature. I won't get caught on the other side.



It's gonna be soon time to glass shut the door and make final body/door shape matching.

Tom Sarno

What ever happened to the rear window modification?

PS if you decide you don't want the body anymore I'll take it back.

Denpo

It's the very next stuff written down on my todo list, just after the rear flares.

newbie2vette

Thanks for sharing your adventure, I scanned each reply quickly. While you have the differential out, if already thought of it great. Install a drain plug for the differential for future draining of the fluid instead of sucking it out.

rogman16

Denis--

Looking good and know that is a LOT of work... Looking forward to seeing the flares done!!! Keep it up, it's starting to come together!!!

Rogman

Denpo

Hi there, and welcome to my thread.
Boy, the diff have been back in for years, I guess you haven't read the thread entirely.
Still thanks for bringing in advices.


Thanks buddy.
I've been in Florida for 2 weeks for vacations, hence the hiatus.
As soon as I recover for the 4500 miles I drove during this time, I'm back in the garage.
Right now the door is fused to the body and I'm doing the final mudding to the driver flare.

Denpo

So, back in the garage, all pumped up on Florida orange juice.

The drivers side is nearing completion, time for a complete mudding on the door



After the sanding














All I need now it to deal with the width of the door gap (note to self : do it before the mudding on the other side), the I can call a wrap on the entire driver side.... at last.

Denpo

Today I found a used but clean windshield for 80$ in the classified.
I consider that's a fair price.
Good day

Denpo

Ok, a bit of update on the bodywork.
I now have my gap dressed up. 13/64 wide.
I watched the door opening, how on the top of the front, just above the upper hinge the door edge gets very close to the fender. I grinded this area until I got a good clearance. Then I took the gap width there as global reference.
So basically the smaller gap that allowed me enough clearance in the critical area.




On the front edge I added material only on the door side, so I'm sure I don't make the clearance any worse.
Filling is done with the usual epoxy + fiberglass 'fume' mix.



The gap is so perfect I'm worried taking my door down for painting, even with guide hole I'm not sure I could get it THAT perfect






I also 'mudded' the roof arch and the side vent, making the driver side rather complete.
I still have to rebuild the front rocker moulding mounting tab, and remove the t-top anchor to finish the arch. Oh details...