The Crusty Cuda: Whole lotta Shakin' (N96) Goin' on!

[big gear head]

I kind of get offended when someone asks me in a sarcastic way why it cost so much to get a car painted. A good friend of mine does very good body and paint work, and I know how much time he puts into it. It's much more work that what he gets paid for.

I helped with some of the blocking on my car. I went home one night after blocking and my wife had supper done. My glass had condensation on it and when I picked it up to take a drink it slipped right through my fingers. I had no finger prints left.

[njsteve]

Yeah, bodywork is an art form. I just don't have that kind of concentration level or patience to do all that hand labor. I also don't have the eye for low spots and medium spots and high spots. I could spend 40 hours nonstop in a greasy garage, assembling an engine block but four hours sanding a body panel? I'd be bonkers.

More power to ya, Dave.

[A12pilot]

Thanks, guys. Yes Freddie, you’re right in saying that. And I have a rule that I don’t just do paint jobs for people. Many I’ve flown with say, “Can you paint my 1983 xxxx”. And when I reply with not only a description of the work involved, the materials tab, and then the final price, the reaction is all the same; “I can get it way cheaper at Maaco!!!!” Yes, you can, and please do! That’s what they were made for and if you get a good shop , it’ll be a decent job. I only paint the cars I fully restore since it’s just too much work and logistics involved otherwise. Now, the Cuda and Steve-O are exceptions since it’s really more of a combined restoration, sort of, and it’s Steve, and we all know Steve!

Out to the shop....

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

...aaaaaand another 8hrs of blocking. Ugh. I'm telling ya, this could be the best new cardio-workout ever!

Here is the start and the low spots on round 2 of 220. They're getting less and less but then others pop up where none were before! This is some sort of Ethic Far East Aqua Persuasion (that's about the best I can do to be politically correct) for sure!

But this just in, Steve said he's going for that "Day 2" look, so the bucket of white house paint look it is! Phew! Now I can relax and paint it tomorrow!

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

Final 220 block and then prime!

The lower rear valance was really fighting me, so this side is way better. Need to work on that body line, but the gap is way better. Next up... the other side!

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

I'm going to invent the automatic continuous feed sanding blocks! They advance the paper automatically as you block. The faster you block, the faster it advances!! Comin' in HOT!!

Cheers
Dave

[njsteve]

Actually, I'm kind of diggin' the pastel, Van Gogh thematic elements you've got going there. Keep it up, it's becoming the talk of the art critic community. You're the Bob Ross of body work.

[A12pilot]

The front is now down to 320. Way happy with the body lines. A few dings still to smooth over but not many more left.... finally!!

I'm rolling into days off and with out any major issues popping up I should be ready for paint by Thursday. No, Steve...it won't be painted Thursday, but definitely this month! Woohoo!! I needs to head up to the paint store for the final round of supplies.

What's next? The car gets rolled out, washed, then I will take the air gun to it to blow it dry, then a wetsand of 400. Then another wash, then a go over with a pencil and a shop light to look over for any pinholes I may have missed. Probably one last light prime followed by another 400 wet round to make sure it's ready.

Time to go surprise Dad with baby back ribs for lunch! Happy Father's Day you's guys!

Cheers
Dave

[TimG]

It looks great, Dave.

[A12pilot]

Thank you, Tim!

Cheers
Dave