Rebuild or Refinish

[M.D. Holloway]

The 77 has 90K on her - minimal oil leaks (maybe a few drops a week). Shows no signs yet of over heating (nver gets above 100) and the engine sounds fine (varified by other p-car owners). I don't want to take her in for a major look over becuase they most likely will find something. So the engine is good - crossed fingers.

The transmission is a bit loose but heck maybe a $150 bushing kit will tighenher up. She hasn't popped out of gear and seems OK.

So - this winters project - refinish her! She has a few small Northeast rust spots (pea size), but a new Targa top. I figuer I will pull the hardware, pull the engine, get her already for tape and beyound. In the process of discussing options with a few paint shops (recommended by other p-car owners).

Questions:

1) How much should I take off myself in order to get the lowest prep cost and best job?

2) Any advice on primers, finish or top coats?

3) While the engine is out, besides anything major, anything that can be done to her on the cheap (oxymoron!)

[Zeke]

To answer the disassembly question......everything you can.
Pull the rubber off the bumpers after removing them.
Pull the lights out.
Pull the glass.
Pull the trunk and door seals.
Loosen the front fenders.
Pull the wipers and door handles.

Go slow and use a lot of penatrating oil like PB Blaster. The trim takes a lot of time and time is money at the paint shop.

If you are using a recommended paint shop, let them choose the material. And have them guarantee it.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77

2) Any advice on primers, finish or top coats?

3) While the engine is out, besides anything major, anything that can be done to her on the cheap (oxymoron!)

keep same stock color if possible.

engine... psi fed tensioners, new oil idiot lite sender at top right flywheel side, breather housing gasket, oil thermostat gasket, injector seals, vacuum lines, tranny input shaft seal, check crank fore and aft play, torque intake to head gaskets, tighten intake rubber to air box clamps, clean and dielectric all electric connectors, new plastic throttle housing washers on top left flywheel side, oil dizzy advance weights, maybe a good clean-up or paint to shroud & engine tin, clean engine comp, new soundproofing mat, etc

[M.D. Holloway]

the tear down should be minimal $$ - what should I expect to pay for the re-finish work?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77


- what should I expect to pay for the re-finish work?

do you mean like how much does an engine thermostat gasket cost ?

If a shop is doing this maybe you can go in and do the bs instead of paying $75-$100/hr for labor.

[M.D. Holloway]

thinking I could do most if not all of the engine and transmission stuff using Wayne's books and some on-line help along with parts from PP.

I was thinking in terms of the body work, little rust work, primer, few coats and a top coat? I've budgeted $2700 - seems reasonable?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
thinking I could do most if not all of the engine and transmission stuff

I was thinking in terms of the body work, little rust work, primer, few coats and a top coat?

I've budgeted $2700 -

hmmm.. how about if you do all the rust, priming, bs stuff yourself and only have a shop do the top coat ?

paint, priming, etc materials are expensive.

[M.D. Holloway]

Thats interesting! Didn't think I had the chops for it but I would - strip it down (would call in for the window guys to take out the back window), take off paint to bare metal (chemical?), sand out the rust, fill (metal or non-metal?), sand again, clean, prime, clean than take for finish work? OK - I'm game, what what be needed? I have air atools, a pretty good paint gun but would buy a better one, space in the garage and no real time frame. Have to get the primer and fillers - suggestions?

Upside - I'm one of those guys that believes he can do anything.
Downside - I'm one of thse guys who believes he can do anything.

I'll have to check the back threads and tech banks for does and don'ts. Anything off the top of your collective heads to consider?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Thats interesting! Didn't think I had the chops for it but I would -

Upside - I'm one of those guys that believes he can do anything.
Downside - I'm one of thse guys who believes he can do anything.

tons of personal pelicanhead info around here. Everybody's correct in what they had to do to get the job done. plenty of different techniques are successful.. Party Hearty

[Neilk]

Lube,

Taking out the rear window is not hard at all, it's putting it back in that is hard. You can definitely remove it yourself.

You might have a hard time finding someone who will agree to only do the color coat. They might not guarantee the paint job unless they do all the priming as well.

[dmcummins]

If your not in a hurry and have the room go ahead and paint the thing yourself. If you can remove everything and do the bodywork spraying is the easy part. I painted my targa last year and Im in the middle of getting my coupe ready now. How the job turns out has more to do with the prep work and how much time you want to put in it.

It is expensive though. I like the BC/CC because I can sand and buff out the clear to fix the mistakes. You can spend a $1000 on paint supplies. You will also need a good spray gun, fresh air resporator, and buffer. You will also need to build yourself a booth. I just staple plastic up everywhere and tape it to the floor.

[efhughes3]

Mike:

I think $2700 may be low for a decent paint job, even doing a lot of the removal yourself. I'd talk to the paint shops about what they'd charge for the various versions, and see which one offers the best bang for the buck. To get any sort of guarantee, I'm sure they're going to want to prep, prime and paint.

[Willem Fick]

Doing the job yourself, and getting it right is not all that difficult - I trust myself better to do a good job than I do most panelbeaters, 'cause ultimately I am not chasing any deadlines, and can afford to take extra care.

I quite understand that if you have never tried anything like this, it might seem a daunting task - but you'l never know if you don't try, besides you seemingly have all the kit already! I'll drop you a PM with my contact details - will gladly share my experiences with you!