E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

[jarhead]

I think these points have me sold...

2. Ease of use - sprayable right from the can, no catalyst or reducing required.
3. As for VOC's, although there are no isocyanates, it was pretty hard on the eyes and respiratory system - even with a proper mask. MSDS Sheet.
4. There's apparently no re-coat window, so you can leave the color any length of time and then either spray more color or clear it without sanding.
5. This means you can also touch it up at any time. Say you get a scratch, you can sand it out and re-spray the area easily.

 

[e-tek]

Dupli-Color is stepping up and sennding me enough to re-do the inners and spray the entire car in their Deep Blue MEtallic. This time I won't tint it, but I will add a while pearl rallye stripe.

Stay tuned!

 

[4t42]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Love your Mercury PU grille!

 

[gustoffur]

It's been too long since I checked in; Wow! have you been busy!
No word on the Cougar, I'm going by later this week to see what's up.

 

[JTurbo]

I love checking the progress in this thread, great progress as always Ed!

 

[e-tek]

I love checking the progress in this thread, great progress as always Ed!

Hey thanks J!! While I can never be as popular as Mark's MONSTER Garage (damn Mark - always going to XS ), or Jack Olsen (hard to argue with an Old Spice man....), I do try to keep it interesting.....

 

[e-tek]

Teasers.....

 

[e-tek]

I had to recall something I learned a long time ago - cars went from no lights in back, to brake lights only, then - much later - signals were added. So when you throw a pair of original lights back on a 40 Ford (for example), the twin-filament (1157) bulbs will not fit as they have offset side pins (not talking about the contact points on bottom), whereas the brake-only bulbs have equal-offset pins (1156). Basically, the entire bulb socket needs to be changed out, not just the electrical connections, to properly hold the required twin-filament bulbs.

As I'm kinda working back-to-front, I cleaned up then painted anything that wasn't already black, inside the back hatch. It'll all be covered by upholstery, but I'm a details-man....

While I had the black out I also cleaned and sprayed some pieces I'll be installing later:

EFI Computer:

Throttle-body bracket:

Then (of course!) I got distracted when I saw the build-up on the TB, so I soaked and cleaned that while I was doing other stuff:

Then I got back on track....

Bumper brackets. I've learned to always use WD40 every time I try to slide rubber over metal (or vice versa)....I always think I should keep some in the bedroom !!

I also used a piece of shin paper in between to avoid scratching them:

Lots to do - so back to it!!

 

[e-tek]

Engine prep:

Sanderson stubbies:

Clean-up on isle 9 - is that FORD Blue? I hope so....

It's hard to keep my helpers focused....

I hope the owners of these cars feel special....my Galaxie has been out side (in the RAIN) for a week. Going into winter storage next week....

Crusty TB....

 

[HOTFR8]

I hope the owners of these cars feel special....my Galaxie has been out side (in the RAIN) for a week. Going into winter storage next week....

That sounds to me like you have a new project coming up. New Garage for more storage space.

 

[fxr rider]

Is that an old Manitoba plate on that galaxie?

 

[e-tek]

Is that an old Manitoba plate on that galaxie?

HeHe - no, it's a 1967 Centennial Sask Farm plate.

 

[e-tek]

More detailing today on the 40:

Decided to remove all the paint from the 5.0 plate - looks cool!

Gas filler surround:

Some gentle persuasion was required to get the gas tank lid to sit right...

Sanderson Headers - they don't require exhaust gaskets....but when you read the instructions....they do require black gasket maker.....WTF?

I let it set up over night - may get the engine back in tomorrow!

 

[e-tek]

Headers on:

Need to swap out the oil pan for this truck pan to gain more clearance at the cross-member, but first.....clean-up:

It was caked with sludge and tar inside but cleaned up well:

I used Dupli-Colors Rust Fix on the rust:

Paint:

Bottom end looked good -

$55 rubber Gasket - no gasket sealer required.

Also came with these trick alignment tools:

 

[e-tek]

After getting side-tracked for a month I set today aside to get the 240Z painted again. The light blue just didn't "pop" enough for me and my son Colton really didn't like it. He's never very vocal about much so when he said he didn't like it and wanted it dark blue....well, if you're a Dad you'll understand!

So, after a coat of sealer, I gave it 3 coats of Dupli-color's Dark Blue Metallic and 4 coats of DC's clear - all in their DIY-friendly lacquer-based paint.

I hung the hood and deck lid from a rope across the shop to be able to spray both sides at the same time:

Lacquer doesn't have the same shine right out of the can as does the newer 2-part urethane clears - but they can be color-sanded (wet-sand and buffed) to a mirror-like finish once they completely dry.

Check-out all the overspray - just from the initial sweep-up!!

Putting it together - with all the new parts I purchased - is gonna be a pleasure!

 

[raskal]

ya done good man ... done good.

 

[awdblazer]

much nicer color!!

 

[CoconutPete]

Great read! You have some skills. Patience being an important one out of the many!

 

[e-tek]

Thanks gents - much appreciated!!!

 

[gorilla]

How do you feel about the quality of the Dupli-color compared to the Dizler or Dupont paints? Is the Dupli-Color lacquer different then the old nitro cellulose stuff we used 30+ years ago?

 

[e-tek]

How do you feel about the quality of the Dupli-color compared to the Dizler or Dupont paints? Is the Dupli-Color lacquer different then the old nitro cellulose stuff we used 30+ years ago?

Here's MY humble opinion on it all (no 'boughten"):

It's the same stuff: Lacquer is lacquer and if memory serves me right, they discontinued it's use not because it was a bad product, but because of the development of urethanes that were SO much better: shinier and durable - right out of the gun.

Lacquer was used for MANY years on everything from production to show cars and can be sanded and buffed to a brilliant shine - however, urethanes come out shiny right out of the gun - then can be made even better with color-sanding. Lacquer is also easy to respray - especially in spots, were with urethane you can spot the base but generally you have to clear the whole panel.

As far as a DIY product, the benefits of the Dupli-color product are: PRICE (about one-quarter the cost), no mixing OR reducing (so no mixing hardener, no reducing percentages, etc), sprayable right out of the can AND no ISOCYANTES.

Hope that helps!

 

[ratdoggy]

E-Tek
I see you are painting in your shop. Are you covering everything with plastic? Or did you set up a knockdown paint booth? Are you using fans and filters? How clean is the paint on the car when you are done?

 

[DynoDave]

Looks good. I like that color. Can't wait to see it sanded/buffed. I'm an old lacquer fan, so I'm following along regularly (which is easier for me to do with your thread HERE).

 

[e-tek]

E-Tek
I see you are painting in your shop. Are you covering everything with plastic? Or did you set up a knockdown paint booth? Are you using fans and filters? How clean is the paint on the car when you are done?

I just buy a $6 roll of thin plastic and covered everything, plus a sheet across the middle of the shop. I have exhaust fans high up in the wall on one side and I put a furnace filter in a window on the opposite side. It's also the side of the shop the heater is located, so it warms up fast. After wetting the floor and tacking off the car, I get only a little dust/dirt - manageable by wet-sanding.

Looks good. I like that color. Can't wait to see it sanded/buffed. I'm an old lacquer fan, so I'm following along regularly (which is easier for me to do with your thread HERE).

Thanks - and THANKS to ImportTuner for moving the thread after it languished for years in Free Parking!

 

[e-tek]

Check this out: Spraying the Blue

 

[DynoDave]

Cool! Looks like it covers pretty well. Is that a metallic?

 

[e-tek]

Remember my POR15 vs Rust BULLET "Real World" test?

After a month outside, most of it in the SUN, neither coating faded any appreciable amount - more importantly POR15 didn't fade any more than Rust Bullet.

Now, I've affixed the panel to the UNDERSIDE of my work vehicle - which I use in my sales job. It will be exposed to one of the harshest winters in the world by being exposed to the rigors of travelling over 20,000Kms/15,000miles in North Saskatchewan, Canada, by next summer!

This exposure will include snow, slush, sand, salt, rocks and more - so a more Real World test I could not imagine!

We'll check back in with the test panel in afeew months!

And speaking of the upcoming crappy season, the convertibles were put into their den for a long winters nap yesterday:

 

[e-tek]

Cool! Looks like it covers pretty well. Is that a metallic?

Dave, it covered REALLY well. It's a metallic/pearl, so it has the basic metallic reflection, as well as the pearl tri-color effect. Being a lacquer though it went on really dull - so I'm excited to see it buffed out. Maybe I'll do some this weekend.

 

[DynoDave]

I'm sure she'll be pretty. I remember my brothers Dart back in the day...sprayed with lacquer. It was beautifully smooth and shiny after some buffing. Lacquer may not be great at everything, but it does THAT (buff/shine) exceptionally well.

 

[don long]

I don't remember spraying lacquer paint Just lacquer primer
and I have been painting since 1965
It looks from the video that it lays down pretty well
But buffing is a lot of work as I recall and very rewarding
for a time. Doesn't the shine fade after a year or two??

Been following your thread since coming on the Journal
Thanks for sharing

Don

 

[gorilla]

Ed, thanks for the feed back on the Dupli-color paint. I'll be curious to see how it holds up.What I remember about the old lacquer was that it looked a mile deep when it was buffed up but yellowed after time. I understand that soon here in California we will only be allowed to use water based paint.

 

[HOTFR8]

Lacquer is still popular here with many hobbyist type painters as it is so forgiving if you make a mistake. My XP Falcon was first painted in the 1980's in lacquer and then again when I rebuilt it a few years ago (early 00's). My T Roadster was painted in the late 80's and the body was painted again in lacquer chassis in enamel. Later when I rebuilt it in the late 90's we repainted the chassis in COBRA (clear over base rapid application) and yes the body was again painted in lacquer.

Many things now simply get painted in two pack and I would guess that is how my F4 (HOTFR8) was painted.

I am sure in Ed's case some more buffing is going to show a great finish and if there has been a mistake (although from the work we see I doubt it) with the lacquer it will soon be fixed.

 

[gustoffur]

I like seeing the 240Z at this point. Looking at it in your garage for the past few years there were times when I didn't think you would be able to restore, but you're gettin' er done.

 

[Magic Mike]

Cool, another Z owner on here.
Wish mine was getting that body work treatment.

 

[e-tek]

But buffing is a lot of work as I recall and very rewarding
for a time. Doesn't the shine fade after a year or two??

Been following your thread since coming on the Journal
Thanks for sharing

Don

Yes, yes and yes Don....just another of the many reasons lacquer was superseded by urethanes. But I guess DC feels that the lower cost, ease of use and ease of repair makes it a good DIY alternative.

I am sure in Ed's case some more buffing is going to show a great finish and if there has been a mistake (although from the work we see I doubt it) with the lacquer it will soon be fixed.

While I appreciate the confidence Simon, I'm sure there will be ample opportunity to show how to repair some mistakes!!

I like seeing the 240Z at this point. Looking at it in your garage for the past few years there were times when I didn't think you would be able to restore, but you're gettin' er done.

You didn't think I could do it?? Ouch.

 

[dadsEH]

Cool paint job Ed!
I love the smell of lacquer in the morning.

 

[don long]

Ed
Please don't get the wrong idea
Lacquer would be great for several of my projects all DIY
I don't think I can even get it in California.

 

[PCO6]

Cool paint job Ed!
I love the smell of lacquer in the morning.

It's been a long time but I remember that smell.

I used to use lacquer on car bodies but I also used it on a lot of black under the hood items. Just spraying them and not buffing them out duplicated the original factory finish quite well.

Ed - Thanks for the lead. I checked it out at Canadian Tire and was surprised they carry it. I haven't looked into other suppliers yet but I will. Also, due to your comments on Dupli-Color aerosols I have switch to them for a lot of things. The finish and dry time are great.

Stew

 

[HOTFR8]

While I appreciate the confidence Simon, I'm sure there will be ample opportunity to show how to repair some mistakes!!

That is the good thing as lacquer is so forgiving. Easy to rub out and start over.
I even see many touch up two pack with lacquer now as it is so much easier to use.

I love the smell of lacquer in the morning.

Addictive........ and not good but I agree.

 

[e-tek]

Cool paint job Ed!
I love the smell of lacquer in the morning.

Thanks!!
And although lacquers OK, I love the smell of Mrs E-tek in the morning!

Ed
Please don't get the wrong idea
Lacquer would be great for several of my projects all DIY
I don't think I can even get it in California.

No problem Don - I'm sure it would have it's place in your shop. And I beleive it's perfectly legal - even in California.

It's been a long time but I remember that smell.

I used to use lacquer on car bodies but I also used it on a lot of black under the hood items. Just spraying them and not buffing them out duplicated the original factory finish quite well.

Ed - Thanks for the lead. I checked it out at Canadian Tire and was surprised they carry it. I haven't looked into other suppliers yet but I will. Also, due to your comments on Dupli-Color aerosols I have switch to them for a lot of things. The finish and dry time are great.

Stew

Good to hear Stew and glad I could help! I hear you on the semi-gloss finish too - many of the inners (jambs, under hood parts, etc) were either done with only a single coat of clear, or w/o being polished.