ACOTE's 68 2000

[ACote]

Alex,
Your car is looking great. Its come a LONG way since you first got it. Yep, its taken a year or two, but you are going to have a fantastic car when its done. I can't wait to see it painted and all back together.

Will

It has! Been almost 7 years since I've had it. I owe so many people for helping. Started out with worn out SU's and suspension. So much has been done to it since. I've been really enjoying it once it was sorted I figured it was finally time to make it look nice. I miss it so much but I'm taking my time so I don't miss anything. Would be so easy if it was a straighter car but I'm confidant it'll be very solid when I'm done. SO close only a fender and door to go before scuffing the interior for primer. Off to work!

[ppeters914]

Alex,
Your car is looking great. Its come a LONG way since you first got it. Yep, its taken a year or two, but you are going to have a fantastic car when its done. I can't wait to see it painted and all back together.

Will

It has! Been almost 7 years since I've had it.

When I first came to the forums and mailing list in 2004, I just couldn't understand why it took folks so long to finish their cars.

I no longer wonder.

[2mAn]

this is the main reason I want to push off the frame-off/ cosmetic stuff for as long as possible...

[Alvin]

Alex!
Can't wait to see the new paint I really like the pale yellow.

It has! Been almost 7 years since I've had it.

Thought you would enjoy these pics I snapped back in April of 2011!

[ACote]

this is the main reason I want to push off the frame-off/ cosmetic stuff for as long as possible...

Exactly what I did, I'm glad I waited as it turns it to a lot of "while I'm at it." Would still like to do a frame off, maybe when I retire. There are some small things I did like polish paint and emblems, parking it outside really beat my paint up. The car is so fun to drive when mechanically solid. Was actually my daily driver for a few years.. Drove it 12 hrs up to Washington for a month long class, trying to find my old photos of it on MT Ranier.

Thanks Alvin! I think that was my first meet. Car looked good when I bought it! especially when wet Forgot about the racing stripe holding my mirror glass on.

[ACote]

Finally got got some primer on. Now I can see all the small chips/scratches that weren't sanded. Overall looking good! just lot's of small things and now I don't have to worry about surface rust popping up. Next up block sanding.

Maybe a slight wave here.


Flare looking a little beat up

[S Allen]

Looks good-let the sanding begin.

S

[ACote]

Started Block sanding. Really like the primer and powdered guide coat. I think I sprayed the primer on too thin for how beat up this car is. But It shows the low spots easily. There's plenty of rough spots still, so going to block the whole car and 2 part glaze putty the rough spots, primer and repeat.



Fun stuff: Mounting the fender mirrors. Just eyeballed it from all the pics of the Japanese cars I have saved. Measured back and forth between both sides to make sure they're even. I think they look great! Mirrors came from Japan on Ebay. Dealer option over there? Seems like all of them have fender mirrors.



Was excited to see this on the Japan website posted on another thread. Same wheels I'm installing so very inspirational.

[S Allen]

Good job Alex. Did you use epoxy primer by chance?

S

[ACote]

Good job Alex. Did you use epoxy primer by chance?

S

I did not, I went to the local auto body supply store and they recommended House of Kolor (DTS)Direct to Substrate high or medium build surfacer and sealer. Maybe because I was new and this is a hybrid primer used for both stages. Sprayed real nicely as a medium build and I'll do the same after fixing the dings I missed. Just more coats so I have a little more wiggle room getting it straight. Sands really nicely and sandpaper hasn't clogged yet.

[pebbles]

Powdered guide coat?!?! Thats pretty hitech! Thin isnt a bad thing as some primers will cavitate if applied to thick.
I found the front flairs to be slightly dished, using a foam pad made getting those “right” easier than using a larger block.

[ACote]

Powdered guide coat?!?! Thats pretty hitech! Thin isnt a bad thing as some primers will cavitate if applied to thick.
I found the front flairs to be slightly dished, using a foam pad made getting those “right” easier than using a larger block.

Thanks! Best $25 so far on the guide coat. Very easy to work with, doesn't rub off once applied. Got to mop my garage afterwards as I spilled some lol. I was using cheap black primer originally, but that was clogging up the paper. Flare needs some more hammering, finishing up the rest while installed to make sure the shape is right then will remove(again) to fix/finish. My buddy at work said the same thing for the primer, I'll just do another medium coat and see how that goes. Hopefully this fender is the worst of it(should be as it was smashed.) Coming along slowly.

[pebbles]

I dont know what the powder is made of, but I dont reprime over guide coat, unless it is the same material (different color primer, same primer). Just scuff it off. I know, im weird....less to worry about I suppose.

[ACote]

I dont know what the powder is made of, but I dont reprime over guide coat, unless it is the same material (different color primer, same primer). Just scuff it off. I know, im weird....less to worry about I suppose.

Not weird at all. I did scuff it off the lows before glaze. Definitely going to make sure it's clean. Here's an in progress showing the scratches I'm removing with 180 grit.

[2mAn]

this thing will be immaculate when its done!

The best part of these cars (and modifying cars in general) is making them your own. I really wanted a talbot mirror and when I saw that they used them on the cars raced in monaco, I was good to go with the justification haha. OEM spot didnt work but the OEM antenna spot did! no new holes. and you know the rear fairlady badge situation.

Im excited to see this thing painted! keep it up