73 Duster Restoration

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Its getting close and Im already wondering what Im gonna do when the body is done. Its my favorite part.
 
Have been enjoying your work takes me back some 25 years ago when I used to do my own body work,but never did spray some paint,keep up the great work Adam,you make some of us jellious.
 
I wish there were more members closer to me. I would gladly give a hand with body work.
 
Damn, where were ya 2 years ago??? LOL
You get those quarters as straight as a pulled string and thats not easy. It takes me a long time to get them acceptable.
Just finish blocking the SOB and put the color on it so ya can drive it before you lose interest in it.
Once the car becomes a "job" all the fun is gone.

Looks great Adam, keep it up bud!!

George
 
LOL, I started to get burned out on it about a month ago. The car was sitting while I tried to get a Thermoquad to run right. Once I gave up and bolted a Eddy 600 up to it my interest came right back.

So far I've spray 2 gallons of high build 2K on it and Im going to order another gallon soon. It will be straight thats for sure.
 
I thought I would have the car in its last coat of primer today but while blocking the last panel I hit bare metal and couldnt feather the epoxy primer out. I tried to DA in to in area were it would feather with no luck. Grabbed a razor and scraped 3 coats of 2K and the epoxy of in sheets. Then I notice the edge of the door is the same way so I have at least 2 panels to strip to metal and start over.

Now Im worry about the rest of the car. Ive cut through plenty of other spots and dont see an issue but Im still worried about paint falling of the car. I think Im going to fix the 2 panels, Spray the last of the primer on it and let it sit till spring. If it all falls off over the winter I'll know I need to start over.

I certainly cant afford to do it all again this year.
 
Geez was the primer any count? I know you used to do body work so I'm thinking it's the primer not adhering properly.
 
If you look back I had issues right away with the epoxy primer and like and *** I didnt take it back to metal right from the beginning. Looks like its gonna bite me in the *** now.

For now I'll fix those panels and walk away from the body work before it burns me out.
 
Well no that Ive had time to cool down and take a look Im pretty confident that its only the door and fender that have the issue. Not sure how bad the door as because I have tried to feather it out. Every other panel has spots were I cut through and they all feathered out just fine so I'll pick up some more DA paper and sand those down and start over with them. Im still going to re prime the rest and let it sit.

Its hard to see in these photos with my crappy camera but I took all this down to bare metal with a razor in minutes, The other 2 photos is the small spot on the door, I was trying to show the issue but its not gonna happen with my camera
 

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I did however get the hood and trunk lid prepped as well as the door jams

I also found evidence of a small decal under the trunk lid next to the jack instructions. No clue what it was. I assume it was a factory sticker and it wasnt a sure-grip decal because the car has a 7.25 in it.
 

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looking great Adam! It's a lot of work, ( I know) but it will be awsome when your done. Good luck!!
 
dusted72 said:
Could have been a suregrip. You could get those in the 7.25 I believe.
Click to expand...

You could at some point I believe. Not sure if it was available in 73 and this car has very few options but anything is possible.

fanofpetty said:
looking great Adam! It's a lot of work, ( I know) but it will be awsome when your done. Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Its even more work when you have to do it twice ! :eek:ops:

Looking back at my notes, The 2 panels Im having an issue with now are the 2 that I didnt have an issue with the first time so I didnt sand them back down as much as the other panels.
 
Well I started stripping it back down today. Got both fenders and the passenger side door and rocker done. Im almost out of 80 grit DA paper though which will put a halt in progress for a while. Im hoping to get the other door and cowl stripped tomorrow so I can reprime them.

I also noticed a huge puddle of antifreeze on the intake this afternoon. I hate cars. LOL
 
I have huge respect for those who attempt their own body work, I wouldn't even go there. The no 1 requirement that I had was that the paint and body had to be done on the car I bought. Mechanically I can do anything on a vintage mopar but paint/body. I don't have a clue.
 
I worked at a shop for a few years and learned enough to be dangerous. Its totally different when your on your own. LOL I guess thats why I'm redoing it.
 
Well the doors and fender were stripped and reprimed today. No sure how long ot will be till I can do the rest. Im out of supplies for the most part and out of money,

The car also seems to be developing leaks, Tranny leaks, Its leaking antifreeze from someplace, This afternoon I pulled it put of the garage and blew the drivers side exhaust gasket, passenger side already was leaking. Its also got bad valve seals and possible a bad valve guise or two. At this point I may as well yank the motor and tranny and paint the engine compartment.

Here comes the can of worms Ive been trying to avoid,
 

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More pictures.
 

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The original plan was to paint it, register it and drive it while I collected parts to clean up the engine compartment and front suspension, Then eventually redo the tranny and swap in a 8.25 rear.

Now with all the leaks its developing (likely from sitting) It looks like its going to need more work before I can drive it. Im hoping the short block is ok and I can just replace the heads with some EQ magnum heads, slide a small cam in it and call it a day.
 
Isn't that funny. You always start with a plan and over time it almost every time change.........! Why?

Think you will have her ready by next year?
 
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