<Project> 2000 Trans Am

[Lucky SOB]

Paint Shop: Day 5

Here's the progress from today. Everything is almost ready for color... should be spraying on Monday or Tuesday... More pics

I took the exhaust tips off for easier access for the CETA mod. This will start my exhaust polishing project

The hooligans in the background are some buddies from school... aka the exhaust tip removal pit crew

[Lucky SOB]

Exhaust Polishing

Picked up some scotch brite pads from Oreiley's and went to town on the exhaust tips. The entire exhaust, minus the longtubes will receive this treatment this winter. Anyone want to lend a hand? Free pizza and beer ... these two tips took me 1.5 hours... I'll be polishing the actual tips back to a mirror finish tomorrow with a buffer

[Gottork]

looks awesome so far fred, your a dedicated man

[Lucky SOB]

looks awesome so far fred, your a dedicated man

Thanks Jess! It's all worth it... Having something to tinker with and enjoy is more fun than I thought it would be

[Darren]

Fred are you having the whole car repainted? I thought it was just the hood and front end?

[Lucky SOB]

Fred are you having the whole car repainted? I thought it was just the hood and front end?

I'm painting it yellow...

They'll blend the color onto the fenders, so that's why they're scuffed. These guys don't mess around - they do things the right way. Annnnd I'm having the driver door repainted and blended into the fenders because it looked a shade off to me. And the mirrors. And the headlight covers. And the "CETA mod" around the exhaust area (in satin black). And the strut tower brace. And all the black plastic vents (fenders, hood) will be sprayed satin black. And one little surprise that I've never seen done, but should look good. That's basically it I just kept thinking... "well, while they're spraying red, might as well have them do the __________ too"

[Darren]

ahhh gotcha! Sorry I didnt respond to your text earlier I was with Lisa, and frankly just got home and just looked at my phone. Next time for sure I am there, let me know!

[Lucky SOB]

ahhh gotcha! Sorry I didnt respond to your text earlier I was with Lisa, and frankly just got home and just looked at my phone. Next time for sure I am there, let me know!

No worries Is she your fiancée yet?

[ThreeHonks]

Having something to tinker with and enjoy is more fun than I thought it would be

I swear thats actually more fun sometimes than even driving it lol I love to tinker with mine, keeps me busy

[mcalus]

WOW! I just went through this whole thread! Looks great and can't wait to see the after pics of the paint. Good call on blending the fenders! Hopefully the bumper will match up to the rear quarters. I can't wait to see the exhaust tips when they are all done too!

Keep it up!

[Darren]

No worries Is she your fiancée yet?

um not yet, but if you wanna know... The first part in this step was purchased today! Oh god my life ends, guess I will live my car needs through you guys!

Keep up the good work man, going to be sleeping in the garage before snow flies, or have to park it somewhere else?

[Lucky SOB]

um not yet, but if you wanna know... The first part in this step was purchased today! Oh god my life ends, guess I will live my car needs through you guys!

Keep up the good work man, going to be sleeping in the garage before snow flies, or have to park it somewhere else?

Haha well congrats! We can cruise the car anytime you want...

Yes, it will be in the garage at home. My dad keeps saying he's trading in the Camaro, but I haven't seen any actions to back up his words. If he keeps it, we'll find another place for the Cadillac and put the Camaro with the other cars.

[Lucky SOB]

Tail Lights and Center Panel Wet-sanding

I've wet-sanded a few plastic things before, but found some good write-ups on LS1tech and refreshed my memory. Here's how I did it...

Started with this, a faded phoenix and "trans am"



Hit it with some lacquer thinner to get the decal off, resulted in this...



Placed it in the old laundry tub, and hit it with 600 grit wet sandpaper - with the faucet running water over it constantly.




Wiped with a CLEAN microfiber to check for any scratches, then hit it with 1000 grit wet



Then 1500 grit wet



Then finally 2000 grit wet



All ready to be polished up in the morning












The next task was the tail lights.... Performed the same process as above. If you decide to do this - remember to tape off the light bulb "holes". You DO NOT want any water to get in the housings, it's next to impossible to dry out - especially without spotting. I used duct tape, and will leave it on for polishing to avoid any compound getting into the housings.




Comparison shot... the one on the bottom has been wet-sanded, the top one is untouched



Ready for polishing

[nascarnate326]

Your kickin ass on this thing. Can't wait to see it done. If you don't mind me asking how much $ you going to have into paint?

[GoHard]

Would you pm info about the paint shop please? Sounds like they are top notch, and I've been looking around for a good shop! Thanks Fred!