(312) 63 Impala

[Joe R.]

I removed the broken body mount bolt by cutting access through the trunk. It worked perfectly. Dropped the body back on the frame after 7 years. Everything lined up!
I installed the doors, fenders and radiator support today. I spent all day doing this. I got the gaps as good as I can, and I'm pleased.
I will install the trunk lid and start sanding. Going to apply a coat of Slick Sand, block and sealer.

 

[63 dream'n]

……….She’s gunna be Purdy…….!!!!!

 

[Joe R.]

I started painting this weekend! I'm very pleased with the results. I used PPG Omni production base and clear. Two coats of base followed by 2 coats of clear. I let it dry and blocked with 1000 grit sandpaper. Applied two more coats of clear. I will let this cure and buff.

 

[327]

WOW !!! Nice shine.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

Very Nice!

 

[Murphdog]

Was rereading the post. Looks like you have moved or have built a new bigger shop. Nice paint. A nice black paint job is so sexy! Hope your son is still as involved as when you started. He has to be getting into girls & sports by now. Keep up the good fight!!!!!!!!!
Jeff

 

[Barry Taylor]

Gonna be beautiful!!

 

[region rat]

Great job. Scary straight. You have some mad skills.

 

[63 dream'n]

 

[Joe R.]

Thank you for the nice comments.
My son is 21 now and is a student at the University of Alabama. Time flies!
He is always hands on when he is home.
We did move to a new house on 5 acres with a barn. I finished out a portion of it for a 30x25 shop.
Last year I painted a 1998 Chevy Cheyenne pickup in white. That was my first attempt at spraying a vehicle. It was easy because there was pretty much no body work, and it was white.
This car, on the other hand, is BLACK! It has been a test of patience and will, and I'm far from done!
In the next few weeks, I'll finish the doors, fenders and trunk lid.
I'll keep you posted.

I thank the support from the members on this forum, YouTube (PHARRAWAY) and my family.

 

[Joe R.]

I've been making some progress.

 

[327]

Joe R.

 

[Joe R.]

I ran into a problem today. I went to put the trunk lid on and one of my hinges is "stretched".
Long story short. Years ago, I took the car to a shop to have it media blasted. After a year and a half and the car sitting outside, i finally was able to get it back. They dragged it out of their yard and now, i believe they dragged it from the trunk hinge causing the damage. I never paid attention or noticed the damage until now. This sucks and brings up a lot of painful memories from that shop.

Well, I am in need of a set of hinges or at least the passenger side one.

 

[La Hot Rods]

Ouch, sorry to see this. Do you have a replacement?
Sure is looking sharp though.

 

[wristpin]

Make a simple jig with the undamaged hinge and repair damaged one?

 

[hogmotors]

You can buy a new, warrantied crate motor from a Chevy dealer usually for less than you can rebuild or patch one together. Been there!

 

[R63ss]

I have these if you are still looking

 

[Joe R.]

Thank you. James (La Hot Rods) has one for me.
I sincerely appreciate all of the support!
I REALLY want to have this car running this summer. I have a long way to go, but I feel like I'm getting over the "hump".

 

[La Hot Rods]

Glad I can help out.

 

[Joe R.]

I took a stab at repairing and polishing the trunk trim.
Both pieces had significant pitting and several dings.
I worked out the dents. Then, with a palm sander, I used 80 grit, 120, 220, 320, 400 and 600. Then by hand, I wet sanded with 800, 1200, 1500 and 2000.
On the upper trunk piece a tried to avoid the "Chevrolet" letters because I didn't want to sand them away, so there is still a little pitting around that area, but I'm fine with that. I may carefully try to work it again.
I bought the 8" harbor freight buffer. I first polished with the brown compound, then finished with the white compound.
I am very pleased with the results.
Each piece took around 3 hours from start to finish.
What do I do now? Can these pieces be re-anodized? If not, should I clear them?