71Convert Restoration Project Progress

[Mister 4x4]

Hey everyone, Thought it was time for an update on my 1971 convertible restoration. I have shipped the Mustang off to the body shop. They have removed the engine and tranny and are working on replacing all the metal in the engine compartment first. I have been buying a bunch of Dynacorn sheet metal. By the way, freight shipping prices are in the CRAZY range. Way more than I expected even with combining sheet metal parts in one shipment. Much of the Dynacorn sheet metal is on back order with no date as to when it will be available again! Anyway, below are some pics of where my 71 currently stands. Try and ignore the Camaro in the background.

OMG - that would've made my life SO much easier when I replaced my front clip. Nice work!!

LOVE how you did the dashboard as well - GREAT idea!!

 

[71convert]

It's been a long while since I posted any progress pics of my 1971 Mustang convertible restoration so here goes. I've been busy over the past few months making progress at home. The shop doing the sheetmetal had some people leave and it took a while for them to find qualified replacements but they are back on track and working on my Mustang again. Hope you enjoy the updates. More to come in the near future.

I refurbished the A/C center vent assembly and the A/C-heater box. The original one had several holes in it so I opted to go with a replacement box and reused whatever original parts I could after cleaning them up. I also labeled the boxes as they appeared originally.




Next, I worked on restoring the steering column. It was almost all there but was really dirty, greasy, rusty and the rag joint was shot. I cleaned everything, removed any rust, painted this with SEM Landau Black and dusted it with Charcoal Metallic rattle cans. Then replaced the rag joint Here's some before and after pics.

BEFORE:




AFTER:





My original deluxe two spoke steering wheel was completely trashed from sitting outside so long so I needed to purchase another original black one. The replacement had a few small cracks, was dirty and needed a new center horn pad and center emblem so I purchased those. I really cleaned the steering wheel parts then filled the cracks with JB Weld SteelStik. I wet sanded the entire steering wheel then painted the silver section of the center steering wheel pad with SEM Silver and used SEM Landau Black to paint the steering wheel and pad. The restoration pics are below.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

[BUCKWHEAT]

RIBS,

I was able to pull it by myself. It's not too heavy just LONG. I didn't have to remove the steering wheel either just the gauges and the dash pad and metal upper dash area. I recommend sending your harnesses to Midlife. Does a thorough job and keeps you in the loop!

Randy did my '73 harnesses. you will be pleased

 

[Moderator73]

Hey guys. Sorry in the delay for posting my progress pics but I have a bunch to share.

Dash:
Had the dash sandblasted then I primed and painted it. I used rattle can SEMS Landau Black as the base coat and dusted it with NPD's Dark Charcoal Metallic (also rattle can). Took a while to get the charcoal metallic to look right as you only do a dusting from about a foot away and have to let it dry.

I bought a tach cluster that I took apart. cleaned, replaced bulbs and melted blue covers and painted the needles. I also polished the lenses which came out very nice. I added the three center gauges and did the same thing to that cluster. I picked up an original three gauge cluster panel, stripped it, repainted it with SEMS Landau Black and used Molotow Liquid Chrome to add the chrome. Did the same thing on the dash and glovebox panels. I need to topcoat the Molotow chrome as it will dull the more it gets touched. Still figuring that out. Also added an AM radio (was gone when I got the car). The dash and vents (like the rest of the Mustang) were full of years of dust, dirt, mold, leaves and wasp nests. I cleaned up all rusted bolts, vents, wiring harnesses, repaired the vents and added a new glove box liner. Reran and connected up all of my refurbished wiring harnesses (thanks again Midlife).

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Amazing work and wonderful details you’ve shared. Thank you so much. One question on your Molotow liquid chrome (which I learned of thanks to your thread)…What did you end up doing/using for your sealer to topcoat it to keep it from dulling?

 

[cwalker509]

Very nice! My vert is nearing completion (thread posted here somewhere). Feel free to PM me for phone number to DM me if you have any questions. Mine was taken down as far as it could be. I am looking at a complete basket case 71 vert this wkend to see if I want to bring it back to life.

 

[71convert]

Amazing work and wonderful details you’ve shared. Thank you so much. One question on your Molotow liquid chrome (which I learned of thanks to your thread)…What did you end up doing/using for your sealer to topcoat it to keep it from dulling?

Amazing work and wonderful details you’ve shared. Thank you so much. One question on your Molotow liquid chrome (which I learned of thanks to your thread)…What did you end up doing/using for your sealer to topcoat it to keep it from dulling?

Thanks Moderator73! I searched many of the model car forums and they suggested using S-02 Chrome Sealer as a top coat for Molotow Liquid Chrome so I bought some. I decided to test it out first on my BELT and PARK bezels as I also used the Molotow Chrome on them. I let the Molotow chrome dry for two months on the bezels then I covered one bezel with one coat of S-02 Chrome Sealer and the other with two coats. They did not dull after putting the sealer on and after handing them. But, a week later the chrome finish started to crack on the bezels so I will need to start over. Not sure if it was something I did wrong. I did brush on the S-02 Chrome Sealer but I have picked up an air brush and will use that for the Molotow Chrome and S-02 Sealer this time. Will let everyone know how it goes. I may try another sealer like Alclad II High Gloss Lacquer if my second attempt fails again.

 

[71convert]

Very nice! My vert is nearing completion (thread posted here somewhere). Feel free to PM me for phone number to DM me if you have any questions. Mine was taken down as far as it could be. I am looking at a complete basket case 71 vert this wkend to see if I want to bring it back to life.

Thanks cwalker509. Would love to see some pics of the 1971 vert basket case.

 

[cwalker509]

Thanks cwalker509. Would love to see some pics of the 1971 vert basket case.

I posted the basketcase pics in this forum. Will need to post a build thread in the next month or so.

 

[71convert]

We have twin basket case convertibles cwalker509! Glad you are saving that M code convertible. Will check out your build thread now.

 

[cwalker509]

We have twin basket case convertibles cwalker509! Glad you are saving that M code convertible. Will check out your build thread now.

Build thread not started yet. But plenty of pics in the forum.

 

[71convert]

Build thread not started yet. But plenty of pics in the forum.

That explains why I couldn't find it!

 

[cwalker509]

That explains why I couldn't find it!

Thread from when I was going to sell the shell. https://7173mustangs.com/threads/ca...-t-loc-convertible-for-sale-with-title.44048/

This is me having second thoughts: https://7173mustangs.com/threads/do-i-save-it-71-vert-351-4v-ramair.44062/

 

[71convert]

Hey everyone. I have some updated pics of the metal work being finished up on my 71 Mustang convertible. The original shop I brought it to worked on it every once in a while and the restoration work was dragging along. After two years, not much progress was being made. Also wasn't happy with some of the work they had done.

About a month ago, I decided to have my Mustang hauled to another shop. I also rented a U-Haul truck to pick up my sheet metal, engine, tranny, rear, wheels, extra parts, etc., I dropped off the sheet metal and any other metal needed for restoration at the new shop and dragged the rest of the parts home.. My car was pretty much half a shell when it was moved and the new shop had to lift it off the hauler so they could put it on a jig. Glad they were setup for that type of scenario.

Fast forward four weeks and my shell is now rust free and my car is starting to look like a 71 Mustang again! Posted below are the latest pics. Hope you enjoy them. I have a long way to go but I feel like I'm making progress again.

How my Mustang arrived at the shop:


Current status:

 

[Sheriff41]

Hey everyone. I have some updated pics of the metal work being finished up on my 71 Mustang convertible. The original shop I brought it to worked on it every once in a while and the restoration work was dragging along. After two years, not much progress was being made. Also wasn't happy with some of the work they had done.

About a month ago, I decided to have my Mustang hauled to another shop. I also rented a U-Haul truck to pick up my sheet metal, engine, tranny, rear, wheels, extra parts, etc., I dropped off the sheet metal and any other metal needed for restoration at the new shop. My car was pretty much half a shell when it was moved and the new shop had to lift it off the hauler so they could put it on a jig. Glad they were setup for that type of scenario.

Fast forward four weeks and my shell is now rust free and my car looks like a 71 Mustang again! Posted below are the latest pics. Hope you enjoy them. I have a long way to go but I feel like I'm making progress again.

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Excellent report! Congrats on the progress!

 

[tpj71mach]

Wow, it looks great! Amazing how much work the new shop got done is such a short time. I am looking forward to seeing it completed, It is going to be beautiful

 

[cjstaci]

Looks like this shop knows what they’re doing and taking care of business! It’s really hard to trust other people to the quality work we strive for.

 

[71convert]

Wow, it looks great! Amazing how much work the new shop got done is such a short time. I am looking forward to seeing it completed, It is going to be beautiful

Thanks tpj71mach! I will be very happy when I can drive it again.

 

[71convert]

Looks like this shop knows what they’re doing and taking care of business! It’s really hard to trust other people to the quality work we strive for.

It's a shame when we belive in someone that can do the job and in reality, they don't have the tools or the knowledge to pull it off. Glad I was able to get it to a shop that specializes in this type of work.

 

[71convert]

Thanks Moderator73! I searched many of the model car forums and they suggested using S-02 Chrome Sealer as a top coat for Molotow Liquid Chrome so I bought some. I decided to test it out first on my BELT and PARK bezels as I also used the Molotow Chrome on them. I let the Molotow chrome dry for two months on the bezels then I covered one bezel with one coat of S-02 Chrome Sealer and the other with two coats. They did not dull after putting the sealer on and after handing them. But, a week later the chrome finish started to crack on the bezels so I will need to start over. Not sure if it was something I did wrong. I did brush on the S-02 Chrome Sealer but I have picked up an air brush and will use that for the Molotow Chrome and S-02 Sealer this time. Will let everyone know how it goes. I may try another sealer like Alclad II High Gloss Lacquer if my second attempt fails again.

I have an update on my fight with the S-02 Chrome Sealer over the Molotow Chrome. Below are some pics of my BELTS and PARK lights on my dash. I air brushed the Molotow Chrome on and it came out nice. Very shiny and looked pretty close to chrome. After a few months I airbrushed on the S-02 Sealer topcoat. I have posted some pics below and have to say, I was disappointed. It has been several weeks and the chrome finish hasn't cracked this time. Unfortunately, the chrome finish did dull some after adding the sealer but the chrome finish is much more durable. I may have laid the sealer on too thick. I am leaving it as is for now but may try again in the future and this time, lay down lighter coats of the S-02 Sealer.

 

[Moderator73]

You are my inspiration!! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. This chrome refurbishment is really helpful information.

I’m about to copy your path on my car. I was planning to coat my parking light bezel with the molotow pen but now think I’ll buy an airbrush and learn how to use it based on your post. I also got the S-02 sealer in anticipation of your results. Now I’m thinking about your earlier comment about trying Alclad II High Gloss Lacquer?

Great work and thanks for posting so much for us. Oh, you also inspired me to build a stand for my dashboard refurbishment and it’s been a game changer. Never would’ve thought of that on my own!

Bob