Her 72 Mach 1

[72Mach168Cam]

He hit it with his electric orbital buffer this a.m. He is currently using his DA and may cut it some more after.

The first section on the fender this morning after the buffer was astounding. I saw no orange peel and the metallic was more apparent. The depth of color is different as well. Both he and our local detail specialist said of the paint/clear was "cloudy". I didn't notice, but I have no experience with such things. No cloudiness at all now. He's getting emotionally excited about how it is turning out. Along with us. Very cool.

 

[c9zx]

Looking good so far. Chuck

 

[72Mach168Cam]

End of day 3 is showing stunning results. And it's not done yet as there is more to go. I'm afraid I'm unable to replicate what is seen by the eye with a digital picture. Especially one from a flip phone. But here are 2 examples of passenger rear quarter (couldn't decide which one to post)...

 

[72Mach168Cam]

Here's a question for ya'll; am I the only one that blew their entire budget on paint and bodywork? At least what "I thought" we could do the entire car for.

 

[c9zx]

I'm sure you are not the only one. Chuck

 

[72Mach168Cam]

I'm sure you are not the only one. Chuck

Probably just a rhetorical question as I pondered the current state of our restoration.

Yah, it is looking fantastic. But the path to this point going on 2 years now have had frustrations and disappointments. And deep down inside I am troubled by the fact that to get the car to this point is me paying someone else to do the work. I feel like less of a car guy lately.

 

[bishoppeak]

 I feel like less of a car guy lately.

I briefly felt that way when I got into my latest project.  Decided that declining ability to do the tasks coupled with higher standards justified letting the pros do the work.  If you enjoy the results, you're still a genuine car guy!

 

[jpaz]

Probably just a rhetorical question as I pondered the current state of our restoration.

Yah, it is looking fantastic. But the path to this point going on 2 years now have had frustrations and disappointments. And deep down inside I am troubled by the fact that to get the car to this point is me paying someone else to do the work. I feel like less of a car guy lately.

Don’t feel like less of a car guy at all. Your totally a car guy! Sometimes we just can’t do everything we want to. I know from experience, been in multiple life changing accidents. But I’m still here and can do enough stuff to make me happy. Plus I can drive my Mustang! I can’t even drive a 4 speed, safely anyway, but I still love driving my auto. I think you have done way more than most people would to restore your car. Good luck with the rest of the restore!

 

[72Mach168Cam]

Thanks guys. Looking forward  to the time when wrenching begins. That I can do.

 

[c9zx]

On my Mach1 build I was fortunate enough to have a friend who showed me how to improve my sheet metal welding abilities as well as body working abilities. He also gave me a good starting point for the paint work. The painting part was frustrating, disappointing, and required more determination than I knew I had. Eventually it worked out well but, the learning curve was long and difficult. If you have lasted this long, you are a car guy. Hang in there. Chuck

 

[72Mach168Cam]

Today's images to share with the site;

It is becoming "The Vision"

 

[72Mach168Cam]

Decal Day!!;

 

[72Mach168Cam]

It was decal day and nearing the end of the....what do I call it? Paint resurrection? Paint correction? Because it does not look like the same car that has been sitting in my shop since April. I'll try upload some pics.

 

[rio1856]

Hey Brett was the PW able to sand out the nibs in the clear coat? From the pics you're posting, your car looks AMAZING!!!! dude!

 

[72Mach168Cam]

Hey Brett was the PW able to sand out the nibs in the clear coat? From the pics you're posting, your car looks AMAZING!!!! dude!

Thanks! Yes the nibs were removed. Turns out it wasn't just dirt and hair like fibers. It was also metallic particles. The PW in his experience figures the spray gun was tilted at a less than optimal angle at times. Which caused the metallic to flow toward the nozzle at an increased rate causing the nozzle to "clog" and spray out tiny chunks of metallic occaisionally. There is a spot or two on the car that the clear is distorted from the nibs. We'll know where they are, but not many will spot them. If I understood the PW's process; the paint everywhere but the roof measured out at about 1.5 mils. He only blocks about 1/10th of a mil off in his process. If my math is right that's about 0.005 of an inch. Amazing.

The side mirrors and hood scoops are not workable. Paint/clear way too thin. The urethane bumper....his recommendation is a complete redo. Unlikely it was done correctly.

The final primer seal coat wasn't done correctly as well. In his experience that he has seen before that one possibility is the mixture wasn't correct (happened to great painters when the poly stuff was new). What it causes is what he calls chunking. Which ultimately leads to a distortion in lighting at particular angles. Almost like a ripple effect. But only at certain angles and especially with fluorescent lights. Mind you I can read the individual letters/numbers on the end of the 8 foot bulbs on the ceiling in the reflection. I have pondered what he could do with a paint job done by a competent painter. He has prepped cars for Pebble Beach and Hershey. As I type this in the house I feel so small having him work on my wife's Mach 1. But when we're in the shop together I don't feel that way. He's very humble and down to earth. Just a car guy helping another car guy out with his project.

 

[72Mach168Cam]

The decal installation was performed by a local guy. The shop is about ten minutes from my house. They specialize in "wraps". It's a thing these days I guess. Anyhow the owner impressed me, only about 25. He came over with one of his workers who was maybe 21. They did the decal install in about 45 minutes or less. If anyone recalls I put together a 40 page guidebook on paint and decal details. It came in very handy. Just a couple of kids really (am I gettin' old?). Impressed the heck out of me. The decal guy had come over before the PW arrived and we put a game plan together. He was stunned at how the paint was compared to when he first saw it. At one point with the first fender decal I was on the edge of my seat. Two words; shelf life. The decals were ordered January 2020. But they were fine. A milestone. Absolutely.

 

[Sheriff41]

As I type this in the house I feel so small having him work on my wife's Mach 1. But when we're in the shop together I don't feel that way. He's very humble and down to earth. Just a car guy helping another car guy out with his project.

Sounds like you found the right guy.  The hobby and the profession need people exactly like him.  Congrats on the results!

 

[mjseakan]

Man, after following this for so long I'm happy as hell for you.

I'd probably still be in a corner curled up in the fetal position.

Mike

 

[bishoppeak]

 Anyhow the owner impressed me, only about 25. He came over with one of his workers who was maybe 21. They did the decal install in about 45 minutes or less. Just a couple of kids really (am I gettin' old?). Impressed the heck out of me.

It's popular to rank on young people these days but I've run into plenty of capable hard workers like these two!

 

[c9zx]

I know many honest and hard working 20 and 30 somethings who are earning what comes to them. Unfortunately, we have far too many people, young and old, who believe they "deserve" what other have earned. It makes for a great vote buying scheme, just ask the speaker of the house. Chuck