Painting and Detailing for Autorama

[96mikez28]

Lookin good, best of luck!!

[EMCC Randy]

Wade...11 days till move-in, tick,tick,tick!
Its looking good, alot of work and the time it takes is always longer than you think it would/should.

[MiT/A'96]

[EMCC Randy]

Wade, whats the latest update? 8 days left, tick,tick, tick. LOL

[GETGONE]

Well I was sick from Friday through New Years day. I didn't get anything done on the car then. I did get the rear calipers painted, polished up the muffler and tailpipes as much as I could. The stanless is really scratched and there's lots of weld spatter from SLP so it's still not show quality. I replaced the rusty muffler clamps with stainless band clamps. I got my lowering springs today and got the rears installed. I'm waiting on my shocks/struts to show up so I can get the fronts swapped and the new rear shocks in. Next step is to clean off the rest of the undercarriage as best I can then claybar and wax the car. I still need to get my battery cover painted and my new SS emblems modified and on the car. I've got lots to do and not much time to do it! I'm hoping the next couple nights and this weekend I can get everything done except the front drop since the shocks don't show up till Monday! Sorry..I didn't take any pics tonight as I just got done a few minutes ago and am heading to bed.

[WMCC SSLS1]

Sounds nice Wade!!!

A little tip when removing/installing the front struts............ swap the torx head bolts on the driver's side with the hex head ones from the Passenger's side when reinstalling the struts. This is for later (when you will once again remove the struts to install the air ride) you will not have to remove the brake master cylinder from the brake booster again like you will have to do the first time.

Also don't for get to coat the upper strut studs with grease like I mentioned to prevent the famous rusting problem. Saves a heartache later when trying remove the struts again.

I have had my front suspension off of the car twice in 6,000 miles, not hard to do just takes a little time. I just wish I would have installed the Koni's the first time but these tips will help you through the 2nd install. (air ride)

[EMCC Randy]

Wade,
Hope your feeling better.
6 days......tick,tick,tick

[GETGONE]

OK...finally took some pics of what Ive been doing. I polished the muffler and tail pipes as best I could. Theyre not quite as shiny as Id like them to be though. The SLP stainless is pretty scratched and there was a lot of weld spatter on the muffler. I did the best I could with them. I also replaced the rusty muffler clamps with polished stainless band clamps.





I put the rear brakes back together after I got the lowering springs installed. Im waiting on the new shocks and struts to get here.



I tore the front struts out as well. The shocks and struts are supposed to show Monday so I can get the springs on the new struts Tuesday and get them installed Tuesday night.





I also have my new SS emblems ready to go on.



The other project I completed today was my battery cover. Optimas are great batteries but leave a lot to be desired in terms of looks. The top posts are a pain so you cant use normal battery covers. I bought an Optima plastic snap on cover for it. It was the same nasty yellow as the battery. A little House of Kolor paint in a spraycan and some decals made a WORLD of difference. I had to cut the side out to clear the AC line going to the condensor. Im waiting for the paint to fully cure before I put it on the car.






I spent several hours tonight cleaning the engine compartment with a toothbrush, paint brush and bristle brush. That was after I noticed my line lock had been leaking and ate off some of the paint. I tore it apart and put thread sealer on the fittings. I still have to wipe the engine compartment down with some detailing spray once I get the struts and strut tower bar back in. Tomorrow Ill be claybaring and waxing the car along with finishing cleaning the rest of the underside.If I have time Ill be wiping down the interior. Still lots to do and not enough time to do it!

[WMCC RONNIE]

Lookin good Wade! Just think, when you put it away after Autorama, it will be ready to go in the Spring!

[MyBadZ28]

What shocks and struts are you going with?

I want to see a pic of the enigne compartment with the battery cover installed. Post up more pics its looking good.

300th POST WOO HOO

[kammi10]

loks good wade

[EMCC Randy]

Wade,
Looks great, the battery cover is really sharp!
4 days....tick,tick,tick

[GETGONE]

What shocks and struts are you going with?

I want to see a pic of the enigne compartment with the battery cover installed. Post up more pics its looking good.

300th POST WOO HOO

I had posted that earlier but I'm going with Tokico shocks/struts. HotPart that sells the Vogtland springs recommended that brand with those springs. I would have liked Koni's but couldn't swing the extra nearly $500 price difference right now. I got the Tokico's shipped off ebay for $279 vs about $800 for Koni Sports.
Once I get everything back together I'll be taking more pics. The battery cover looks sweet in the engine bay. I just set it in there last night to see how it looked and it really sets it off.

[WMCC baker5209]

Gee Wade wish i had that much will power. Best of luck with it

[GETGONE]

Rick, I saw you just outside Middleville on my way home from the club meeting. I figured you had been down to see your brother.