37 Ford build--IE: old Header issues thread /37 Ford/5.0/GT40P heads

[randyr]

OK guys, you are trying to give me a big head when all I am is old and crusty

Randy, sounds like you have that flu bug that they didn't get the flu shot right for this year. My wife and I have been fighting off something since Monday - possibly the after effect of the Patriots losing to the Giants

The latches you are using look worn out!! Bear claws are relatively easy to install. That is once you get over the fear of messing up your doors and posts. Measure 3-4 times then cut out the latch hole, patch the post, then install the striker, crank up the welder and finish the job. A little grinding, some filler, primer and paint is all there is to doing the mod. For sure it will be easier then installing that firewall and floorboards.

The price for media blasting seems a bit high, but then you are in the expensive part of the country with Arnold taxing your businesses as badly or worse as our gov. Maybe you can convince the guy to do the underside for the same price.

With the pictures of you car, the paint is beginning to look tired - but if I'm not mistaken, it's 20 or so years old, so expected. Any idea for the new color yet? Most of the '37 I see now are pretty bright

As far as my doing much on my car? Until I can get out in the unheated garage at something more then the 35-40 degrees it has been, not a lot more will happen. The weather forecast for the next few days is chilly with a cold snap/snow on the way for the next week or so. The chassis is in my heated basement garage and I have only a couple more little projects and it will be at 100% ready for the body.

Later

Ok, Mister Big Old Crusty Head.....LOL!

You're right, those latches are tired! So is the paint! I'm not afraid to tackle the new latches. I just always like to explore the options before committing to the cutting, you know? As for the paint color, I'm leaning strongly towards Sunset Pearlescent found on the 07 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Ford has a similar color on the Edge called Blazing Copper. It looks like it's on fire when the sun hits it. Of course that look could also be caused by an electrical short.....but I digress......

That quote from the media blaster was over the phone without him seeing the car. I got another quote (again without him seeing the car) from Hotrods & Custom Stuff down by San Diego to completely blast & epoxy prime inside & out for $2600 labor & materials included. That made the $1100 guy sound pretty cheap in comparison. Perhaps either place would be cheaper if they actually saw the car......but that's a little problematic since neither is just down the street.

I hear ya on the weather. We've been in the bone-chilling 50's here lately!!! Supposed to be in the low 70's by the weekend though. Now if I can completely exterminate this nasty flu bug by then, I'll be a happy camper!!

Later....

[IC2]

Ok, Mister Big Old Crusty Head.....LOL!

As for the paint color, I'm leaning strongly towards Sunset Pearlescent found on the 07 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Ford has a similar color on the Edge called Blazing Copper. It looks like it's on fire when the sun hits it. Of course that look could also be caused by an electrical short.....but I digress......


...

Only one more comment today - the ricer might be a 3 part paint vs a US 2 part. And when you price the paint, make sure you are sitting down and holding on to something solid. Mine listed out at about $600/gallon(DuPont) and it took a gallon and a half (but I did get some great pricing help from the supplier but it was still ~$600 plus ~$250 for the SPI clear) and the pearl adds at least 25% to the cost.

[34_40]

Only one more comment today - the ricer might be a 3 part paint vs a US 2 part. And when you price the paint, make sure you are sitting down and holding on to something solid. Mine listed out at about $600/gallon(DuPont) and it took a gallon and a half (but I did get some great pricing help from the supplier but it was still ~$600 plus ~$250 for the SPI clear) and the pearl adds at least 25% to the cost.

Okay Crusty... You're just full of good news, aren't you!!??!! ROFL...
Everyone keeps asking me what color will the car be and I just don't have any clue! I'm thinking I'll get it into California Velvet for this summer and put off paint for another season. Heck, I've got to get the registration completed first! Gotta visit the dept. of REVENUE for that one! LOL...

Randy, as Dave said measure 4X first! It's only metal and you did a first rate job on the firewall!

Later, Mike

[IC2]

Okay Crusty... You're just full of good news, aren't you!!??!! ROFL...
Everyone keeps asking me what color will the car be and I just don't have any clue! I'm thinking I'll get it into California Velvet for this summer and put off paint for another season. Heck, I've got to get the registration completed first! Gotta visit the dept. of REVENUE for that one! LOL...

Randy, as Dave said measure 4X first! It's only metal and you did a first rate job on the firewall!

Later, Mike

Mike,
DuPont has a finish paint that looks like primer, but is really a ChromaBase. PPG probably has on now as well. Just a reminder, and may only be a sermon - regular primer is not waterproof. You need an epoxy primer to be weatherproof/resistant.

[34_40]

Mike,
DuPont has a finish paint that looks like primer, but is really a ChromaBase. PPG probably has on now as well. Just a reminder, and may only be a sermon - regular primer is not waterproof. You need an epoxy primer to be weatherproof/resistant.

IC2, Don't know what a chromabase is... I was familiar that the regular primers weren't waterproof. Thanks for bringing it up tho'.. I've got a lot to learn when it comes to paint & prep.. I've been spending a lot of time in that forum just reading and reading... Soon I'll need to check out a local paint shop / supplier and see what products they offer. If I can make my car look 1/2 as good as you did on yours Dave, I'll be happy!

Thanks Again, Mike

[IC2]

IC2, Don't know what a chromabase is... I was familiar that the regular primers weren't waterproof. Thanks for bringing it up tho'.. I've got a lot to learn when it comes to paint & prep.. I've been spending a lot of time in that forum just reading and reading... Soon I'll need to check out a local paint shop / supplier and see what products they offer. If I can make my car look 1/2 as good as you did on yours Dave, I'll be happy!

Thanks Again, Mike

Mike,
ChromaBase is DuPont's non isocyanate base coat paint. While it doesn't have that particular nasty in it, you still need a fair amount of personal protection, regardless. I'm shortly going to PM you some other information that, if you decide to paint your own car, is really a good resource or two. The new paints aren't like the paints of old where you did some body work, used your favorite primer and shot 20 coats of lacquer or a couple coats of enamel. A note about your local paint supplier - if he's a good guy and has experience as a painter, he will probably give you pretty good advice. Mostly what I have found in my area that they really don't have a clue and it's a "job" and what little they know is from the sales rep and BS sessions at the counter. I'm really an low to medium advanced amateur with mediocre skills - but have used some of these folks for my resource. Painting your own car is fun, discouraging, enlightening, patience trying, frustrating, a PITA, interesting and can be expensive. All of these emotions can be felt within minutes of each other. My 40 year old son has said that he never knew that I could have that much patience - my motto had always been "Patience, hell, I gonna go kill something"

[34_40]

Thanks Dave. My head is on overload now...