In 1993 I bought a 73 coupe. 302/3 sp. stick, no a/c, for $500. Had the machine work done on the motor, and assembled/detailed it myself in my small metal shed in the back yard. Built a wooden frame and covered it with plastic to paint the car. I prepped it by DA sanding with 220, then spraying with primer/sealer. I painted with 2 part urethane in correct 2A paint code (No clear-coat). I laid down 3 good coats because I knew under those conditions, I would have a few flaws, and I wanted to be able to wet sand it out, and polish. The weather started getting cooler, so the car sat till spring.
Then I spent 2 weeks of my spare time wet sanding, and polishing all by hand. I started with 400 (which was actually a bit too coarse), then 600, then 1200, and 2200. Then polished with lots of elbow grease and 3M Finesse-It II.
I laid out the hood blackout, and the side stripes by eyeballing it, (yes the hockey sticks are painted), and comparing to pics of original cars. Then I masked it off and painted the hood and stripes with a paint called Derusto- suggested by the guy at the automotive paint store. It worked great, and I was very satisfied with the the low gloss black finish it gave. I installed new upholstery, carpet, dashpad, and stereo as well.
The car came out gorgeous! People couldn't believe it wasn't clear-coated, and even my Mustang buddy swore the hockey sticks looked exactly like tape stripes. I put the car in the local Mustang club show that summer and took 1st place in 71-73 class. Then a guy wanted to buy it. He just kept offering me more money until I said ok..
Now 30+ years later, times have changed! The day is coming when I will be retired, and restoring/painting more cars at home in my new 40x60 barn!
Then I spent 2 weeks of my spare time wet sanding, and polishing all by hand. I started with 400 (which was actually a bit too coarse), then 600, then 1200, and 2200. Then polished with lots of elbow grease and 3M Finesse-It II.
I laid out the hood blackout, and the side stripes by eyeballing it, (yes the hockey sticks are painted), and comparing to pics of original cars. Then I masked it off and painted the hood and stripes with a paint called Derusto- suggested by the guy at the automotive paint store. It worked great, and I was very satisfied with the the low gloss black finish it gave. I installed new upholstery, carpet, dashpad, and stereo as well.
The car came out gorgeous! People couldn't believe it wasn't clear-coated, and even my Mustang buddy swore the hockey sticks looked exactly like tape stripes. I put the car in the local Mustang club show that summer and took 1st place in 71-73 class. Then a guy wanted to buy it. He just kept offering me more money until I said ok..
Now 30+ years later, times have changed! The day is coming when I will be retired, and restoring/painting more cars at home in my new 40x60 barn!
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