62 Corvette rebuild

[mmavet]

You have some extreme talent with painting. details details pay attention to detail..... You get a star.

 

[Duke55]

Looks amazing Don. I really like seeing cars with history getting finished and back on the road (especially when the history is with the current owner). You are making us all look bad at this point with your pace on the project. Keep it up!


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[don long]

Don: WOW, WOW, & WOW.

looks like maybe all you need is to put the seats in and you and Ann can take it for a spin around the town?

VERY WELL DONE!!

Drives

I put the old seats back in the car today for the show. When I drove the car out in the yard so the guys could see the paint in the sun, it brought back a ton of old memories.

Don,
Just stunning. I remember how good your front grill looked before the color but now against the red it's just amazing. It changes and cleans up the whole front of the car definitely for the better. I love that one pic of the hood install because the camera angle gives you an idea of how deep that red looks.
Your long hours and hard work have really created a great ride.
Congrats.

Bob

Bob Thank you

I remember the excitement when we first put the front end together, and how proud I was to share it with you guys. That was good, but it was 10 times better putting it together this time because I agree the paint really brings it out.

The front end of the car was a total hit today as I had a car club stop by for a visit. All the guys commented on how clean and different the car looks.

Very nice work it looks beautiful.

Thanks Dreamer

It's been a great project.

The '62 looks really good. Nice work.

Thanks Boosted

It just keeps getting better and better.

jhn9840
John

Thanks John

It is also getting closer and closer to being DONE

What you get done in one day it would take me 6 months plus!

Looking great and am really looking forward to seeing it finished . .

TimeWarp

I looked back and you were the first to post on this thread.
I'm happy you have followed it all the way. It's been a long time project
and we're closing in on the finish line.

You have some extreme talent with painting. details details pay attention to detail..... You get a star.

Thank you mmavet

I'll proudly take that star

Looks amazing Don. I really like seeing cars with history getting finished and back on the road (especially when the history is with the current owner). You are making us all look bad at this point with your pace on the project. Keep it up!


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Thank you Duke

I don't know about making you guys look bad but I'm focused on the finish line that's for sure (after 22 years)

You saying it looks amazing is quite a complement coming from you a guy with soo much more talent. Thanks again

Don

 

[56vette461]

Hi Don,

All I can say is wow. Absolutely awesome!

 

[BMW Rider]

I put the old seats back in the car today for the show. When I drove the car out in the yard so the guys could see the paint in the sun, it brought back a ton of old memories.

Somehow the pictures of that don't show in the thread.

I know the feeling of pride one gets from pouring heart and soul (and bank account) into building a project car then receiving accolades from others on the out come. It's reaffirming to find that the vision, the work and the determination to see it through to the finish are respected and appreciated by others.

Well done

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Drives

I put the old seats back in the car today for the show. When I drove the car out in the yard so the guys could see the paint in the sun, it brought back a ton of old memories.



Bob Thank you

I remember the excitement when we first put the front end together, and how proud I was to share it with you guys. That was good, but it was 10 times better putting it together this time because I agree the paint really brings it out.

The front end of the car was a total hit today as I had a car club stop by for a visit. All the guys commented on how clean and different the car looks.



Thanks Dreamer

It's been a great project.



Thanks Boosted



Thanks John

It is also getting closer and closer to being DONE



TimeWarp

I looked back and you were the first to post on this thread.
I'm happy you have followed it all the way. It's been a long time project
and we're closing in on the finish line.



Thank you mmavet

I'll proudly take that star



Thank you Duke

I don't know about making you guys look bad but I'm focused on the finish line that's for sure (after 22 years)

You saying it looks amazing is quite a complement coming from you a guy with soo much more talent. Thanks again

Don

Yep! Been here since your first post.
Anything to keep me motivated

 

[don long]

Hi Don,

All I can say is wow. Absolutely awesome!

Thanks for those encouraging words Al

Somehow the pictures of that don't show in the thread.

I know the feeling of pride one gets from pouring heart and soul (and bank account) into building a project car then receiving accolades from others on the out come. It's reaffirming to find that the vision, the work and the determination to see it through to the finish are respected and appreciated by others.

Well done

That's a great observation Rider

I didn't post a shot of the OLD seats in the car so here you go

IMG_2868 by don long, on Flickr

Yep! Been here since your first post.
Anything to keep me motivated

Glad to help out TimeWarp

I worked on the car just a bit today but was able to get the exhaust tips back on with the chrome surrounds

IMG_2867 by don long, on Flickr

Hope that help you out TimeWarp

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: i'm loving the pictures as i'm sure other members and onlookers are too.
I hope you are resting some in between all this work. I'm guessing you and your bride are going to take a little ride in it soon.

I'd love to spend time working on something together cause everything you touch seems to look better and I like the STUFF you like too.

have a great weekend.

Cheers!

 

[Ohmthis]

How did I miss all this???? Don the car is unfing believable! I'm just wowed by the paint, cut and buff on it. Great job!!!!!!

 

[BMW Rider]

Thanks, the red looks so good with sunlight on it.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Thanks for those encouraging words Al



That's a great observation Rider

I didn't post a shot of the OLD seats in the car so here you go

IMG_2868 by don long, on Flickr



Glad to help out TimeWarp

I worked on the car just a bit today but was able to get the exhaust tips back on with the chrome surrounds

IMG_2867 by don long, on Flickr

Hope that help you out TimeWarp

It did! I managed to get the headers and full exhaust in my 427 Truck Project.

 

[don long]

Thanks guy for all the complements on the Vette.
I'm taking a break on this project as the car is going over to the trim shop to get a sound system and the interior built and installed.

When the car is done I'll do a complete photo shoot of the car

It's on the trailer headed out today

IMG_2894 by don long, on Flickr

 

[NASTYZEN]

Don, just wow! I really like your grill and how the side exhaust fits to the body. Well, everything looks awesome actually. Gonna be nice for you to take her out and lay down some rubber when she's ready!
You painter guys sure are patient..

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: I really bet you are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY to get the Vette to this point. aren't you?

off for final detailing and then a quick once over and you and Ann will be feeling the wind and sun on your faces driving around from friend to friend's homes this summer.

VERY WELL DONE SIR!!

not to get picky, but it might be time to put up some cement blocks or curbing on the side of your drive and move those 10x10's out to the NEW WESTERN TOWN.

speaking of your woodshop i'm still trying to get that shipping guy of mine to ship you something to help you in your shop.

take care

 

[Razorhunter]

Beautiful work Don. Love the pics.

 

[dpljmurphy]

Don, I haven't checked in for a while, glad to see the Vette looking so good! Along with everyone else on the forum: I look forward to the final reveal! Continued best wishes, David

 

[don long]

Well guys the corvette never made it to the trim shop. It did go over to a buddy that got all my wiring straightened out and got all the bugs worked out of it.

You may remember that I rolled the car off the trailer and damaged the rear end panel when it hit my anvil..........!! and when I pulled it back off the lift I tore a huge hole in the fender.....!!! Well that's all taken care of now and this morning I pulled the car back into the garage and started taking it all apart again so I can repaint the entire car once more

IMG_4425 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4427 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4426 by don long, on Flickr

 

[Bob Heine]

Don, are you thinking a few extra coats of clear so you can buff out the next scratch?

Seriously, I admire your dedication. It might be one of the benefits of "maturing" -- I forget how bad I felt when the disaster struck just a few months ago.

 

[WordMan]

Beautiful car! I took a '61 to my senior prom. Those were the days! LOL

 

[don long]

Don, are you thinking a few extra coats of clear so you can buff out the next scratch?

Seriously, I admire your dedication. It might be one of the benefits of "maturing" -- I forget how bad I felt when the disaster struck just a few months ago.

Hi Bob
I haven't completely gotten over that corvette crash yet, but life goes on and I must get this car right. Because when I buffed out the last paint job I burned through in a few spots and as long as I must put paint in the gun I may as well fix all the spots. Then clear the entire car again so I don't have any blend spots on the car.

Beautiful car! I took a '61 to my senior prom. Those were the days! LOL

WordMan

I took my daughter to her prom in this car and now she thinks it should be hers.
I also dated my wife in this car.

 

[Duke55]

Don, hate to hear that you are having to tear down and redo but I have no doubt it will come out even nicer than the first time around.




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[zmotorsports]

Damn Don, sorry to hear you have to tear it down and repaint it, but I get it. After spending all that time to make it perfect trying to blend the paint/clear and knowing it won't be the way you want it finished. I completely understand, I would probably do the same thing as I hate tape edges as well as touching show jobs up. Maybe that's why I stick to daily drivers now as my nerves and patience got the better of me when I was building show cars.

 

[56vette461]

hey Don,
I'll bring my parts down and you can paint them if your in the painting mood. Ruth says I need to take lessons from you if i'm going to finish this 56

 

[don long]

Don, hate to hear that you are having to tear down and redo but I have no doubt it will come out even nicer than the first time around.
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I think you are right duke.
But it's still a lot of work.

Damn Don, sorry to hear you have to tear it down and repaint it, but I get it. After spending all that time to make it perfect trying to blend the paint/clear and knowing it won't be the way you want it finished. I completely understand, I would probably do the same thing as I hate tape edges as well as touching show jobs up. Maybe that's why I stick to daily drivers now as my nerves and patience got the better of me when I was building show cars.

Z

If you have built a show car in the past then i'm sure you feel my pain
Thanks for the visit

hey Don,
I'll bring my parts down and you can paint them if your in the painting mood. Ruth says I need to take lessons from you if i'm going to finish this 56

56Vette
Are you looking for a hand out or just some encouragement? either way
i'm here for ya

 

[don long]

I spent the day today sanding the corvette getting it ready to shoot again on monday

IMG_4451 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4450 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4448 by don long, on Flickr

 

[akdiesel]

I still love this car.

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: Of course I (and we) were all sad to hear about your accident getting the Vette off the trailer, but OMG it's going to look even better now.

best of luck on this round of painting and crossing my fingers, toes and anything else it turns out even better than you hope.

My bride read somewhere that Highway 1 (or maybe it's 101) just cleared the landslide that happened last year so maybe the Vette can make a run up the coast for some ocean breezes and cool both you and Ann off.

cheers

 

[bowtiguy]

Don,

Long time lurker/ first time poster. I love what you have done with the sixty two! Everything! Right down to the wheels. Those C5 stockers don’t do the GM design NOR you’re attention to detail justice! Some old school billet specialties bonneville salt flats ( or something similar) would REALLY fit the build in my opinion! I like resto mods to look stock.....with hidden performance!

 

[don long]

I still love this car.

Me to

Don: Of course I (and we) were all sad to hear about your accident getting the Vette off the trailer, but OMG it's going to look even better now.

best of luck on this round of painting and crossing my fingers, toes and anything else it turns out even better than you hope.

My bride read somewhere that Highway 1 (or maybe it's 101) just cleared the landslide that happened last year so maybe the Vette can make a run up the coast for some ocean breezes and cool both you and Ann off.

cheers

Thanks Drives

I agree it will look better
That's good news about hwy 1

Don,

Long time lurker/ first time poster. I love what you have done with the sixty two! Everything! Right down to the wheels. Those C5 stockers don’t do the GM design NOR you’re attention to detail justice! Some old school billet specialties bonneville salt flats ( or something similar) would REALLY fit the build in my opinion! I like resto mods to look stock.....with hidden performance!

bowtiguy
Thanks for the post. I agree those aren't the right wheels for this car and I have picked out a much better set but I'll wait til after the paint and interior get finished to put them on the car

 

[don long]

The sanding is done and the car got washed down yesterday and it's ready to pull into the booth and mask her up

IMG_4457 by don long, on Flickr

I just love the looks of the engine compartment. that's where the majority of the work was done to change the car

IMG_4460 by don long, on Flickr

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

I just love the looks of the engine compartment. that's where the majority of the work was done to change the car

IMG_4460 by don long, on Flickr

100% agree. It's just the right combination of sterile/mechanical.

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: even sanded the VETTE rocks. best of luck with the new paint job!!

i'm still crossing everything i can that it turns out AWESOME!!

 

[camarosrus69]

Add my vote for clean,well laid out engine compartment. Looking forward to the second emergence from the paint shop. I know metalics and pearl are unforgiving. I would like to make one comment about the engine compartment. I have a similar intake and air cleaner on my Camaro. I've noticed that the placement right next to the radiator like that, causes the engine to breathe some pretty warm air. In my case the engine performance drops off noticeably on a warm/hot day. I'm currently working on relocating the air cleaner to pull air in right behind driver side headlight. Your compartment is obviously very different than mine, but you could possibly pull air in from one of those beautiful side grilles, and make them functional.

 

[don long]

100% agree. It's just the right combination of sterile/mechanical.

THank you Slate

Don: even sanded the VETTE rocks. best of luck with the new paint job!!

i'm still crossing everything i can that it turns out AWESOME!!

Drives

Proudly I have to agree the girl looks pretty good even with the dull color
But tomorrow is the big day. She's wrapped and ready.

Add my vote for clean,well laid out engine compartment. Looking forward to the second emergence from the paint shop. I know metalics and pearl are unforgiving. I would like to make one comment about the engine compartment. I have a similar intake and air cleaner on my Camaro. I've noticed that the placement right next to the radiator like that, causes the engine to breathe some pretty warm air. In my case the engine performance drops off noticeably on a warm/hot day. I'm currently working on relocating the air cleaner to pull air in right behind driver side headlight. Your compartment is obviously very different than mine, but you could possibly pull air in from one of those beautiful side grilles, and make them functional.

Thanks for the tip Camaro
I can possibly run a tube through the opening to the side of the radiator to catch some fresh air.

 

[don long]

Tomorrow is the big day. I worked on the car til the heat drove me inside to cool off. I'm going to give the vette a light color coat to hide all the places that the paint got sanded off when color sanding it this last time (I didn't realize that I cut the clear so close when buffing it out the last time) then a shot of the pearl. maybe a little heavier that the last time and then 3 coats of cleat and then leave it alone for a few weeks to cure before buffing it again.

IMG_4474 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4478 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4480 by don long, on Flickr

 

[zmotorsports]

Looking great Don.

Just out of curiosity, what clear are you using. I know when I was building rods I was using the old PPG 2021, that was a high solids clear, and if I waited more than about a week or so to cut & buff it was like trying to color sand concrete.

Also, I noticed you have a Port-A-Cool in the background. What is your thoughts on that? I have been waffling on getting one for my shop for the two to three months a year that the heat is near 100 degrees but don't necessarily want to store it somewhere when I'm not using it. I was wondering if you think it is worth it, if it cools enough to justify? How loud is it? Any other thoughts you could give me on it would be appreciated.

Thank you and looking forward to seeing the Vette with some depth to it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: looking good!! I'm sending more well wishes and hope everything (weather included) turn out great today for your new paint job on the VETTE.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Vette60]

Hi Don.

Sorry to hear that the '62 had to get sanded down and painted again. But, as others have said, I'm sure it will turn out beautifully. I really like the look of the engine compartment and the valve covers look great.

I'm enjoying my '60 now with pretty much all original paint. Yes, there are some cracks and flaws, but that's ok with me. Plus, I have neither the time nor skill to do it myself nor the $$ to pay someone to do it. My Dad bought the '60 in '62 so it's been with us for quite some time.

Love your posts. Thank you for continuing to share your adventures.

Randy

 

[don long]

Looking great Don.

Just out of curiosity, what clear are you using. I know when I was building rods I was using the old PPG 2021, that was a high solids clear, and if I waited more than about a week or so to cut & buff it was like trying to color sand concrete.

Also, I noticed you have a Port-A-Cool in the background. What is your thoughts on that? I have been waffling on getting one for my shop for the two to three months a year that the heat is near 100 degrees but don't necessarily want to store it somewhere when I'm not using it. I was wondering if you think it is worth it, if it cools enough to justify? How loud is it? Any other thoughts you could give me on it would be appreciated.

Thank you and looking forward to seeing the Vette with some depth to it.

Mike
I have 2 porta cool machines. The one you spotted and the large one
I like the small one as a personal swamp cooler because I can move it around where ever I am. It works well from 5 to 20 feet away.
I put it outside the booth yesterday as I was masking the Vette and it dropped the temp about 20 degrees and it pushed enough air to cool the paint mix room as well. It sits along side the booth.

You asked about the clear I am using so I shot a pic of it.

IMG_4482 by don long, on Flickr

Hope that helps

Don: looking good!! I'm sending more well wishes and hope everything (weather included) turn out great today for your new paint job on the VETTE.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks for all the mental support Drives
I think it worked. Today went VERY well!!!

Hi Don.

Sorry to hear that the '62 had to get sanded down and painted again. But, as others have said, I'm sure it will turn out beautifully. I really like the look of the engine compartment and the valve covers look great.

I'm enjoying my '60 now with pretty much all original paint. Yes, there are some cracks and flaws, but that's ok with me. Plus, I have neither the time nor skill to do it myself nor the $$ to pay someone to do it. My Dad bought the '60 in '62 so it's been with us for quite some time.

Love your posts. Thank you for continuing to share your adventures.

Randy

Randy
congrats on enjoying your 60 vette. I just sold my 59 because I knew it would never make it back to life while in my hands

 

[don long]

I'm getting too old for this type of work. I'm soo tired tonight but I'm just as happy.

Here are the results of my hard work and I had help.

IMG_4504 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4508 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4510 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4511 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_4512 by don long, on Flickr

I won't have any time the rest of this week to mess with the car so next week it's game-on