I bet. When I was doing mine i got in way over my head with work and with redoing bodywork over until it was perfect and I was also trying to get it done before my daughter was born. I ended up working working till 2 or 3 in the morning for awhile trying to finish it. And since I also do this for a living I was doing 20 hour days of work of paint and body. When i finally got it painted and assembled I parked it in the back parking lot for weeks, I didn't even want to look at it anymore, I was so sick of it. I'll probably never take on a project like that again but I'm glad I did it.

 

This started out as a labor of love an its turning into one big fat PINA. I just put an after marking outer door handle on, and of course it doesnt work. Even caused the stupid door latch to lock up. Using the inner door handle I finally got the door open but the new outer one still does not work at all, wont open the door.

Then I moved on to the new door weather strip. Cheap garbage I got in a kit. The tabs are a PINA to get in the holes. and now the door wont latch completely. I am not far from putting this to bed until spring. Every step its challenging me and I am running out of time and patience.

 

some pics. I am burning out on this. Mainly because of the pending cold weather. Stupid outer sweeps and door weatherstripping is a pain too.

 

Burning out? Buck up little camper, you've only been at this for a few months! Facebook reminded me the other day that I'm going on three years, and I'm still stripping the car!

It's looking good, if you need a moment, take a break, just don't stay away too long or let yourself get demoralized.

 

Your right sir, thanks. Just wish I had one more month of summer! And thanks for the comments

 

So I worked on some small stuff today after work. Mirrors, and such. This weekend is all about yard work. Plus my 2005 grand am needs front brakes, oil change and front wheel bearings. Hope to touch the bird a bit, maybe start wet sanding the body. We shall see.

 

Well it sucks to hear about all the trouble you've had...

 

thanks man. I was all about getting it done to enjoy at least some of the nice fall weather. But as the days pass, delays, paint issues, parts, etc. I am dialing it back a bit and will take my time. I have enough frustration going on elsewhere. This is to be an escape from all of that and its becoming part of the BS. So time to reset, work slow and get it right. Get back to enjoying working on this.

 

So I slowed down a bit on this. However I wet sanded the hood, will be doing the rest of the body this weekend. I started test sanding where the tape messed up and I repainted. I am getting good results. I think going with a single stage paint will be my saving grace on this. Goal is to have it drive able before winter kicks in. Interior will get updated in the spring. Will use winter to get the parts together. In the mean time check this out...

New center caps for the new 18" rims.

So I got them off eBay. The center caps from 1 seller and the emblems from another in the Ukraine. Took a month to come in. but well worth it.
Emblems, he can make in any size, manufacturer, etc:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PONTIAC-FIR...72.m2749.l2649

Caps:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-65mm-OD-...72.m2749.l2649
He sells them in chrome but I asked them in black and it sent them.

Now they are a tad loose on my new rims. The originals have a thin metal expansion ring that pushes the back tabs out. I have to adapt them to the new caps above. It will be a nice touch when done.

 

What about using clear silicone on the center caps? Might also help preventing theft.

 

Excellent point! thanks!

 

So I finished wet sanding the hood Then polished it out. Will put up a pic ASAP. came out really nice. Made a stupid mistake and left the cowl of the formula bump on my minivan hood after polishing it. Drove to the auto parts store and saw it fly off. Went back to look for it a bunch of times. Drove me crazy trying to find it, but I did. It was all scratched up, so I sanded down a bit and repainted it.

Getting my tires mounted on the new rims Tuesday. Thought I was looking at a bunch of money. But I posted a question here and was told to try a dealership, which I did A Cadillac dealer near me, used to be Pontiac, came to the rescue. Sat with the guy in the service center and he said they mount custom 18" and factory ones all the time, just did his the day before. $22 bucks, mounted and balanced.

Slow progress, and typical set backs, but keep moving forward. Darn winter coming, BLAH!

 

You won't regret this approach, I'm pretty sure of that!

It's looking great, keep it up and enjoy the process. I dig your car, it's great to see it get all this love.

 

Thank you for the positive thoughts and comments Yes my mental reset worked, I am really enjoying it again.The hood came out great after I buffed it, been fortunate here in NYS the weather has been fairly calm as well. I should have it together in a couple of weeks. Then a time to reflect on the interior and plan it out for the spring. Will get some more pics online ASAP. many cell phone issues and getting a replacement.

 

So I moved ahead bravely, haha, and started wet sanding the repainted areas messed up by the tape a few weeks ago. I made some good progress. Hoping to sand the rest of the car tomorrow afternoon. Then remove the front bumper and fenders again. I have to get the doors working right with the weather stripping. Lesson learned, put weather strip on first before hanging the doors. DUH....

If all goes well, maybe I can have it completely polished out and ready for the lights and T-Top seals to be reinstalled. No rush, I want it right.

Thanks again gang for the support and great comments, I really appreciate it. I promise more pics soon. Finally got a working cell phone today.

 

Some pics!


Nice day in NYS, not many left, bought it out to work and give it some air.

just need to buff most of it out, wet sanding is an nightmare, keep sanding through the stupid paint. some day....

NEW RIMS on NEW TIRES. Thank you GMC DEALER!! $95 bucks to mount and balance!

Playing around, I have to wait until spring but these wheels are going to look awesome

close up.

yeah, I am loving it.

 

Nice rims! that'll a big upgrade over stock in my opinion

 

Thank you sir! I think they will look pretty cool. Now I am thinking updating the brakes, but one expensive headache at a time. HAHA! Hoping to put most of it back together this weekend and have i buffed out completely. Rims will have to wait until spring. Need to order all new interior and spacer/adapters for the rims in the coming months

 

Well good weather is getting scarce now. Will be doing what I can to get it road ready. I may take it down to my brothers place about an hour from me to get it in a garage and buff it out. If not, will have to wait until April. Maybe it will be a mild winter, heck its been in the 50s and 60s up until now.

 

There were something like 10 signs from the Farmer's Almanac that says we are going to have a BAD winter.
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/20-si...ard-winter-479

 

Well it says that every year for the past 20 years. I will believe it when I see it. This was a very mild fall in NYS, time will tell.

 

Sorry all for the black out. Just doing winter stuff now. But come March, all on forward getting my Formula done! I hope to put up some posts soon. Tax season so I am busy with that.

 

Well I am back at it, FINALLY getting some decent weather here in NY. had a mishap about a month ago. Stupid Harbor Freight temp garage broke free and caused a nasty scratch on the right rear quarter panel, deep too. As well as a dent on the drivers side front panel. Not happy about that. Had to tarp it for a while. Today its back in a new temp garage. So some updated painting will need to be done. That will have to wait until some nice early summer weather. But I will start putting back together in the coming weeks and will put up pictures of course. Hope everyone had a nice winter, BLAH!!!

 

Ugh! I had thought about using one of these for an RV....not the sort of issue one wants to hear about.

 

Yes I was very angry about it. All that work and I have to do some of it over again. This is my 2nd one and they work great. I thought I had it fastened down really good. Been through a couple of storms and even similar wind. This time it broke loose. I have it back together and my car is back under it. Just waitng for that warmer weather.

Hey everyone, stay safe with the coved thing going around. Been through a few of these and it can be scary but we will get through for sure!

 

I’ve had a lot of dumb crap like that happen since I started my project. It’s frustrating for sure and it makes you want to just get it over with when it happens.

I think people are starting to realize they were sleeping on the coronavirus a little. It killed 196 (I believe) within 24 hours in Italy yesterday. People need to stay home.

 

Hi all. Well I am starting up on this project again, slowly. This COVID monster has done so much damage and so many are hurting right now. Even a person in my family is battling it. So far, had a bit of a scare but they are starting to do better. Please everyone stay safe out there. We will beat this thing for sure.

I was a mouse click away from ordering a bunch of stuff for the car. I waited through the weekend about 3 weeks ago. Glad I did, I am on a ON CALL basis with my job. So this will be slow going for now. Hope to have the paint polished out by June. I have not started working on the lousy scratches yet. I will get this done and will continue to post updates. Thanks for all the advice, input and support. This is a great forum!

 

Lol I actually did order a bunch of materials for my car last week. Now our hours are being drastically cut and people are getting laid off. I won’t be surprised if I’m in the laid off camp because everyone else in my department is close to retirement and I’ve only got 6 years in.

Weird times.

 

Sorry to hear that man. Scary times for sure. Will they take you back when the country reopens?

 

I was told if it happened it would be a temporary lay off. I’m not stressing about it too much, but I’m hoping if it happens they go ahead and let me go tomorrow. I’d rather not go to work everyday wondering if I’ll be sent home.

 

I hope this wont last long. I dont think the country can take much more. Stay safe and all the best brother!

 

Stupid wind storm blew through here, my 2nd Harbor Freight garage blown away and destroyed. car is wrapped in a tarp. I had one for several years. They material wore out and I replaced it. Now a wind storm in Jan. and yesterday destroyed it. Unbelievable and very frustrating. Someone doesn't want me to finish this car!

 

Time for a shipping container.

 

A garage would be nice!

 

Just an update. I am going to repaint the back end of the car and the 2 front fenders. They took some minor damage over the winter. I loaned my older brother my Eastwood paint gun and my huge blow up paint booth. His 69 spitfire came out NICE. I love Eastwood single stage paint, very forgiving and easy to work with. Their videos, tech support, etc. are top notch. I want to finish my Formula and work on another car, my JEEP will be next more than likely. But man would I LOVE a 1971 Formula 400

 

Ordered the headliner kit and trim piece from Hawks yesterday. The weekend every this one I will be re-shooting parts of the body that were scratched during the winter. Goal is to have it done late June or sooner. I cant wait to drive it on its new rims, paint and interior. Its gonna be AWESOME! Pics to come as I get it finished.

 

Sorry I havent updated in a while. Been a strange summer in so many ways. Weather here in NY has been hot, very hard to repaint anything. Finally this morning I repainted my front fenders and both bumpers. Hopefully this Saturday I can repaint the back end of the car, and start putting it back together. I also has to deal with a BCM issue on my 2005 grand am which is still not resolved completely but I got it running and drive-able finally.

Resolved the spacer adapter questions I had as well. Hope to have this thing on the road by end of month if not earlier. Was hoping by end of June. Will post updates ASAP. Also will needs some minor parts as I go along so will be on here looking!

Hope all my fellow thirdgeners are all good and enjoying a rather stressful year.

 

Updates coming soon. I had to repaint my front fenders and both bumpers. Now I am getting ready to paint the entire rear of the car again. Had issues, too many to list. Will have pics coming soon as well. I have my wheel adapters/spacers sorted out hopefully as well. Summer in in NY has been lousy weather wise, among other issues as everyone has been dealing with. Eastwood has been very helpful as well getting my issues with the paint sorted. Was a bit nervous because I ordered a gallon of their black paint and it was on back order, now pushed to October. Fortunately they have it in quart size so I just got in 3 quarts today. Will have the rest of the car painted tomorrow hopefully.

 

I've been following this build and look forward to seeing this car painted.

 

THanks for hanging in there. Again sorry for the delay, more pics below!

 

OK here are some pics form this weekend and yesterday!


Just about ready for final coat. AGAIN!

The other side

what a pain, but I am close once again.


fenders and bumpers reshot

Poor rims been kicking around for a year now. There is 1 of my front and back adapters. the front at 1.5" Wide, the rear is 1" wide. Wheels are +32 offset. I tested the back and they look good. Wont mount until the car is painted.

 

Well I shot it...Again and hopefully for the last time!! HAHA Here is a pic


I went heavy on the paint and have some minor runs but they will sand out. Going to wet sand the orange peel tomorrow and buff it out so it will be done. Then I can do the same for the fenders and bumpers. Get this back together. More info and pics to come!

 

It will look great after that, my dad and I repainted my black 88’ Z24 when I was in high school and black is a lot of extra work but when done right it’s the best.

 

Hoping so sir! a lot of work done so far and much more to do. Hoping to have the fenders and bumpers on today. Going to sand out the orange peel and buff it all out. Hope to be a whole car but weekend. Then the interior is next. I still have to set the timing, and adjust the passenger door, its a bit off.

 

I just wet sanded the whole back end of the car, man thats hard work. first 800grit then 1500grit. Next 3000 then I just polish it out. Started putting the left fender back on. I timed it as well man was it way forward, above the marker even. No wonder it would stall at lights. Now its running very smooth. The tunnel has been fairly lit for over a year... but finally some light... will have pics coming soon.

 

busy weekend and I am still tired. finished wet sanding and buffed most of it out. There are 3 stages of buffing it out. The doors to the front are done The back end of the car is at stage 2, will be stage 3 later today. I will be putting up pics later today. Hoping she is on the road this Saturday.

 

Ok here are some more pics! I have the car mostly buffed out. With Eastwood 3 in 1 paint there are 3 stages. The doors to front are done. The back half is at stage II. I have some strange bleed through in some spots which I am addressing now. .But I started putting it back together. Front bumper is on once and for all, even the bird and formula logo are back on. Will have more pics tomorrow but here some of the work


The car has been sanded to 3k. Started in some spots with 1k, then 1500K then 3k


Doors were done last year.

 

So I am putting it together. Front bumper, headlights, hood, etc. I put on my windshield seal. Used 3m super seal in tube. Big mistake, this stuff his horrible for this application. the seal never took, made a complete mess of things. Some overage ate though the paint on the windshield frame. I wont repeat what I was yelling. I am extremely angry about it. Never seen any seal glue eat through paint before. Maybe its the Eastwood paint itself. What ticks me off is now I have to sand and PAINT AGAIN. ARRRRRRGGGHHHH

 

Nor have I. Scary.

 

That 3M stuff is garbage!


Your bumper inserts on the bumpers look brand new! Where did you get those?

Mine are crumbling to pieces!!! ugh