Birds and Bees: Operation Phoenix - 1957 T-Bird

[A12pilot]

Well, despite the innuendos on the title, there's no gratuitous sex involved. But there is birds and bees! And what I mean by that is I'm working on a 'Bird and taking a break from a 'Bee. So, that's sort of the same, right? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif Well, no it's not. But here's the latest project to come into the shop that needs attention post haste! Enter a 1957 Ford Thunderbird. I had to wrap the Super Bee in a cocoon and push it to the side since this T-Bird needs to be done by the end of October. It's for a friend who's retiring in December and I'm going to have it ready for his 65th/retirement party mid December. Why then do I need to have it done by the end of October? Simple! Because if I tell myself it needs to be done two months earlier, it'll get done on time. If I tell myself it needs to get done by December, it'll get done by March. See? I'm no scheduling wizard, but I've watched enough reality TV shows to know that nobody meets deadlines and I'm not working 29hrs a day to get something done yesterday. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif So, onto the car. I found it up in CT and it was owned by a lady who's husband owned a dealership up there. The car is a 312, PS, PW, Power seat, Town and Country AM/FM radio, and get this, even has a record player under the dash! So, what do I need to do? Paint, install power brakes, install A/C, and install new chrome trim. That's about it. So here's a few pics to get started. More to come....
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48105-dscn1353.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48106-dscn1358.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48107-dscn1333.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48108-dscn1343.jpg

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Dave

[A12pilot]

So, the first thing is the paint. Man, this stuff is terrible. The original color of the car was Gunmetal Gray. This is an early car, and to my understanding, there were two Gunmetal Grays an N code and an H code. The lighter H code was introduced later in May of 1957. At some point the car was repainted in Wimbledon White, and while a nice color, this ain't a nice paint job.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48109-bird2.jpg
No, that's the the Arctic Ice sheet in the Spring. That's the cracks and cheeking of 40yr old laquer. So, how do you deal with that? Simple....60 Grit, baby!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48110-bird3.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48111-bird7.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48112-bird4.jpg
There, that should do it. How long did that take? Way longer than I planned, and I&quot;m only now getting the feeling back in my hand from the palm sander... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[A12pilot]

OK, so with everything masked off (engine bay, glass, trim, my neighbor...), I sprayed down two thick coats of the DP50LF and then after 8hrs, 3 heavy coats of DPS3055. Yeah, I know M22Mike, I already had the stuff laying around from the Bee but I promise I'll try your stuff the next time! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif I started with 180, worked some dents with the hammer and dolley, and used some fill here and there. Overall, very pleased with how straight the car is! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48113-bird6.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48114-bird5.jpg
The original wheel pants were pretty dinged up and the stainless, well....that was stained! So I ordered a new set of pants from Concours parts. I'm really pleased with the fitment. Nobody likes bad fitting pants! You'll look like one of those teenage kids with their lousy rock-nroll music and that butt crack hanging out the back! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif Not real sure why that's so popular. Where was I? Oh yeah...moving on....

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[A12pilot]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48116-bird8.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48117-bird9.jpg
So here's the 'Boid after some glaze, a lot more blocking with 220, and wiped down ready for another round of primer..
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48118-bird10.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48119-bird11.jpg
And here we're sitting in fresh primer awaiting the 320 block out tomorrow! Discovered a few good waves, but instead of this thing being like the Drake Passage, it's more like one of those finger lakes South of Syracuse. A little wavy, but nothing a 3ft board and a lot of sanding can't handle. I'm shocked that there isn't many dings to deal with. OK, more to come tomorrow!

Cheers
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Dave

[earntaz]

Fun, fun, fun, til' daddy took the T-Bird away! Nice old BIRD!!!

[markinnaples]

Love those early T-Birds as well as your humorous writing. Looking forward to seeing how this comes out as my neighbor had a charcoal gray Bird when I was a little kid (along with a black one and a copper one) and that gray one was beautiful. Is the Gun Metal gray that charcoal gray color?

[olredalert]

----Frank Sinatra had a charcoal 57 T-Bird with red interior (I think. Saw it auctioned.......Bill S

[A12pilot]

Yep, that's the color. And I think Sinatra's 'Boid color combo was one of the best looking in these cars. Dark Charcoal with a Red interior is classic. I'm trying to use my subtle power of persuasion to persuade the owner to let me paint it that color. But how he remembers his uncle's car, which got him hooked on T-Birds, was in Turquoise. I explained to him that Turquoise was never offered in a baby bird, and what he's thinking of was actually Blue. But, he wants the Turquoise, and it'll look pretty sharp, so that's what it'll be. Or I may just paint it Gunmetal and surprise him. See, here at Dave's Unique Musclecar Projects, or DUMP, our moto is &quot;We're not happy until you're not happy&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[A12pilot]

&quot;Yyyyar Mateys! Ahoy ye' land lubber! Yyyarr!!!!&quot; Oh, sorry. Just so many waves around I thought I was on the Adriatic Sea. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/whistle.gif Biggest culprits? Passenger fender, driver's side rear upper quarter panel, and the hood scoop. How the heck does a dent happen in the middle of the freakin' hood??? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif Because based on how hard it is to reach that part of the hood to sand it, I'm sure it took some effort to get a dent there! Another round of guide coat (I use 3M powder with the sponge applicator) and some 320.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48188-20160825_073008.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48190-20160825_132318.jpg

So why are the pics a little blury? Well, they're taken from my phone that's inside a plastic bag. And why's that? Because it's brand new and I need it to last 2yrs and if I come home with a primed up phone...well....let's just say that won't go over so well. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif So what's on deck now? The 'Boid is sitting in the final round of primer. I'll pull it out into the sun today and go over the entire car with a pencil and circle any divots, pinholes, craters, canyons, and anything else I missed. I'll unwrap it, dedustify (dedustify? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif) the entire car, and wetsand with 400, and wash it with Dawn soap, Spot prime if necessary, and then block out those touched up areas. A final wash, and a wipe down with wax/degreaser. After that, mask off the car again and it's ready for paint! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

I'll be using DCU base/clear on it. Why? Because I've noticed an improvement in my posture and back pain since I've bought the materials for this and the Bee. My wallet in my back pocket is INCREDIBLY lighter <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Dave

[Woj]

Looking good Dave! If you want to squeeze a 68 goat between the bird and the bee, I've got one for you. Could even use your humor to get my wife to like the car <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[m22mike]

Dave, what can I say, your a wildman <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif. No need to try another primer, I think the 3055 is just newer, and low VOC than what I mentioned to you awhile back. Remember PPG and even 3M's goal is to keep making new products for us to use that will assist them in draining our wallets <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif
Great thread, thanks.

Mike

[Billohio]

Looks like I should send my Chrysler 300 out there! Nice work

[A12pilot]

Thanks guys! Phil, I didn't know you were having marital problems. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif I tell you what, I'll take that, what do you call it, a COPO <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif ...off your hands. That should alleviate some tension! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif I'll make you a deal you can't refuse! Just kidding buddy, but you know if you want me to paint a car for you...mi bootha es su bootha. Something like that, anyway!
So in spent the morning serenading with 400. Found a few small places i need to touch up, but other than that I think I'm about ready for paint later this week! Here's some after I unwrapped it and pulled it out into the sun, er, clouds, for a closer look
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48196-dscn1653.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48197-dscn1654.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48198-dscn1655.jpg

[A12pilot]

And during the wetsanding. After each panel I layed on the water to see the reflection from the girders on the ceiling in my shop. I figured they would tell me if I was way off on blocking out a panel. Here's a few of the trunk, hood, and a door which took a lot of blocking to get flat. I think I'm ready! I'm glad you all enjoy my posts. I'm famous in my own way! &quot;Who's that guy on the forum...&quot; &quot;You mean the guy that does the good work?&quot; &quot;No, the goofball with the crazy posts...&quot;. &quot;Oh, that guy, some dude who likes Dodges or something <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48199-dscn1656.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48200-dscn1658.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48201-dscn1661.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48204-dscn1663.jpg

[A12pilot]

I found a guy that sells cheaper paint, Mike. Says this gallon should be enough to cover the car since I dilute it 3 times. It's PP-G, which is the Ukrainian version of PPG, and the G was actually printed backwards. Should be the same stuff, right? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-18993-48203-dscn1668.jpg

[markinnaples]

Is this the look the owner is going for?
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-3000-48256-1a1a.jpg

[A12pilot]

That's the look, Mark. Funny you post that pic since that's what I showed him. But he really likes the Tropical Turquoise color,so that's what is going to be unless something changes between today and tomorrow when I buy the paint. More soon!

[A12pilot]

So, Wednesday was the day! Temperature was right, humidity was down, Venus was moving towards Aquarius....everything lined up for a night of unbridled paintification! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48401-dscn1683.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48402-dscn1685.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48403-dscn1681.jpg
Cheers
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[A12pilot]

Pulled it out into the sun. Only a few days to sand out. Overall, I'm happy with it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48407-dscn1694.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48408-dscn1690.jpg
Let the wet sanding begin!!

[A12pilot]

So here we are..... Starting with 1000 and increasing up to 4000. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48415-dscn1696.jpg
This was getting me nowhere, so I thought....hmmm.... What if I increased the sanding area? That would cut the sanding down!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48417-dscn1697.jpg
So out came the polisher and i taped on six disks which created a 1sq ft. Surface area of sanding material! What could go wrong?
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48418-dscn1698.jpg
..... And here's the car after the second repaint. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif

Polishing up next!

Cheers
Dave

[earntaz]

Only us old folks can appreciate the beauty of that old T-Bird -- awesome color ... TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[m22mike]

Single stage Dave ?

[A12pilot]

Base/clear. DBC followed by DCU2021. 4 coats of clear. Used my Sata 4000. I need to upgrade the old shop compressor to a two-stage. Recovery time a lot less than the single pump ones. Big car like the Bee really eats up the air!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[A12pilot]

Started to buff it out using the 3M system. A long and compoundy road ahead!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48476-20160904_110633.jpg

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only us old folks can appreciate the beauty of that old T-Bird -- awesome color ... TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif </div></div>

I appreciate it, so maybe I am an &quot;old folk&quot;?

Ryan

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Only us old folks can appreciate the beauty of that old T-Bird -- awesome color ... TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif </div></div>

I appreciate it, so maybe I am an &quot;old folk&quot;?

Ryan</div></div>

Never worry Ryan -- everyone is working in that direction ... some quit sooner than others ... ENJOY!!! TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[A12pilot]

Been doing some sanding, some buffing, some scratching, some touch up with phrases like, &quot;why do I do this?&quot; and, &quot;I really should hire someone who knows what they're doing next time!&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif But, I'm done with the polishing and pulled it out for some pics. The color in the pics is a lot more blue than in real life. I was a photography major in college, so let me explain why. See, as light comes into the lens, it's triangulated and refractuation occurs after blue is taken from a different wavelength after being divided from the hypotenuse from the third side, and after bouncing back top wise, you see more blue <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif Errr..something like that. Time to start fitting up the wheel skirts!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48656-20160909_100446.jpg

[A12pilot]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48657-20160909_090623.jpg
Here's the skirts fitted up. They took some massaging to really fit up snug. And for some reason today, the forum is only letting me post up one pic at a time. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[Postsedan]

Ha, the Blue Lighting explanation - Priceless <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Well done, she looks great!

Dan

[A12pilot]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48679-20160910_112538.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48680-20160910_114155.jpg
Had to redo the hood. There were some fisheyes in the clear that I just wasn't happy with that were bugging the crap out of me! Think it came out way better! I'll hit the decklid and transition panel tomorrow.
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[earntaz]

Looks pretty damn good -- the Blue Bird is fixin' to fly ... TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[markinnaples]

That looks beautiful.

[A12pilot]

Thanks guys! Been doing some reassembly. Trunk is trunkified, more this weekend!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48909-20160916_095607.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48910-20160916_095953.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-48911-20160916_142452.jpg

[earntaz]

Gotta' have those fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror -- PERIOD CORRECT!!! TAZ

[A12pilot]

Minus a few small things like a door lock that just doesn't want to work, some small detailing items, the 'Boid be DONE!!!!!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-49229-done1.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-49230-done3.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/09/full-18993-49231-done2.jpg

OK, enough distractions.....back on the Bee!!!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

Looks great!

[Craig_Maiorana]

She's a pretty bird

[earntaz]

Came out super ... TAZ

[Woj]

Sheesh Dave. You know you started this thread 26 days ago. That is incredible!

The Boid does look great.

Nice job.

Phil <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[markinnaples]

Came out beautifully.

[m22mike]

26 days ago ?? Your a wild man, awesome <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Mike

[A12pilot]

I did? Holy crap, I did!!!! :hmmm. Man.. That's pretty crazy even for me..... Well, it helps with an understanding wife and a job where sometimes you get &quot;lost&quot; in the system and forgotten. But the good news is I have vacation next month so I'm hoping the Bee will be next! Thanks for the well wishes and following along! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif. I'll post up again after the new owner gets the car.

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[427TJ]

I want a '57 T-bird now!

[X66 714]

How about a 56 t-bird? I have one that doesn't fit in my bowtie world. Driver grade...Joe

[A12pilot]

I wanted to update the thread since the car is with it's new proud papa! It was delivered Tuesday to Mike, the new owner, and I was there to help deliver it! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif Mike is a good friend of mine and a fellow aviator who retires next month. His retirement party is Saturday and the car arrived just in time for him to show it off! Here he is sitting in it for the first time! I call this shot, &quot;Crouching Mike, Hidden Pilot&quot;
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-18993-54378-miketbird4.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-18993-54379-miketbird1.jpg
I had to convince him to buy that roll out checkered mat to park on. Looks real good parked there.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-18993-54380-miketbird2.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-18993-54381-miketbird3.jpg
Mike and Christina going for their maiden voyage around the block! These two are such like family to me I call them Mom and Dad just out of respect.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/12/full-18993-54382-miketbird5.jpg
Not a bad way to wrap up a thread!!!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
Dave

[earntaz]

Nice shirt -- F-4 spittin' out a Sparrow ... somebody is fixin' to have a very bad day!! TAZ <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[markinnaples]

Great, looks like a nice car. Do you take the skirts off to drive, or just happen to take them off for some other reason? Just curious.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great, looks like a nice car. Do you take the skirts off to drive, or just happen to take them off for some other reason? Just curious. </div></div>

SHOES:-)

Ryan

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Turned out great, and a great story!!!

Well done Dave!!

Ryan

[olredalert]

----Dave,,,Where did you guys find the mat and what was the price?......Bill S

[tabooo]

Dave, Was Mike a F-4 pilot back in the day?

[A12pilot]

Yep. Mike flew F-4s in Osan and F-16s over here. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif His Buddy Rick flew F-4s there as well, and also in Hahn which is where my Dad was based in the 60s.

The fender skirts were removed for shipping. Guy couldn't tie the car down around the wheels, so I wrapped them up and put them in the trunk. I did't have time to put them on since everyone wanted to go for a ride ASAP!! I put them back on after we parked it in the garage <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

I found the mat online, I'll have to ask Mike where he ordered it from. It was just a Google search, but it was about $400 and is 7ft by 21ft I think.

Now we just have to get his wife Christina in the Audry Hepburn scarf and big glasses!!!!

Cheers <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif