Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Not too worried about waiting for the seat covers, I'm a long way from that point right now. I do like the color of the stuff they've sent so far...
1969 Dart Swinger 340 4 Speed
- Thread starter Stranglehold
- Start date
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340sFastback
Well-Known Member
That interior exterior color combo will be stunning.
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
Time for another photo dump to catch you up to where I'm at now. Car body is all blocked and final primed and masked off.
Shot what was left of the exterior body plus the deck lid un this go around. Honestly thought that matte metallic finish looked kinda bad ***.
Then 4 coats of clear to make it shine!
After some curing time, they got on the wet sanding and moved on to buffing it all out. They went through 4 rounds of sanding, starting with 600 and finishing off at 2000 before buffing. Amazing the difference it makes in the finished product. I thought it looked pretty good after clear, but I've never had anything painted at this level before.
Shot what was left of the exterior body plus the deck lid un this go around. Honestly thought that matte metallic finish looked kinda bad ***.
Then 4 coats of clear to make it shine!
After some curing time, they got on the wet sanding and moved on to buffing it all out. They went through 4 rounds of sanding, starting with 600 and finishing off at 2000 before buffing. Amazing the difference it makes in the finished product. I thought it looked pretty good after clear, but I've never had anything painted at this level before.
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
Ten pics per post I guess, so continuing on...
Doors came out great...
fenders as well...
Hood before cut and buff...
and after...
now onto the body. Labor intensive this stuff is, hats off to people who know how to do this kind of work!
Doors came out great...
fenders as well...
Hood before cut and buff...
and after...
now onto the body. Labor intensive this stuff is, hats off to people who know how to do this kind of work!
abdywgn
dismantler
that is great! my shoulders ache just thinking about all the work involved. Your car is gonna pop in the sun! It's future's so bright, you better wear shades!
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
After the body was done, it was a lot of unmasking and cleanup prior to panels going back on.
Had them spray deadener/silencer back on the inside of the quarters (pre-paint), tried to copy what factory engineers spec'd out...
Took this pic with the flash on. This color changes a bit between different light. Shop lights vs. sunlight makes a huge difference in how it flops. Should make the body lines really pop on a sunny day!
Fenders and doors back on!
...and outside getting a some sunshine on it...
... now for the trip home
Had them spray deadener/silencer back on the inside of the quarters (pre-paint), tried to copy what factory engineers spec'd out...
Took this pic with the flash on. This color changes a bit between different light. Shop lights vs. sunlight makes a huge difference in how it flops. Should make the body lines really pop on a sunny day!
Fenders and doors back on!
...and outside getting a some sunshine on it...
... now for the trip home
Really looking forward to seeing that car on the road, absolutely gorgeous!
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
These showed up yesterday. Long way from putting them on but the way prices are going...
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
Well. last weekend has came and went and all went well getting the car home. Was a little sketched with the dolly under it but it was fine. Took back roads and took it easy.
Had a good car watching my six.
Rolling it in...
and tucked away.
Had a good car watching my six.
Rolling it in...
and tucked away.
Yep you have 100% convinced me to do T5 with mine. That car looks amazing.
How long was your car at the for paint and bodywork?
Those bumpers look familiar… the shop disassembled the fenders and doors then reinstalled them? Not you?
How long was your car at the for paint and bodywork?
Those bumpers look familiar… the shop disassembled the fenders and doors then reinstalled them? Not you?
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
It was there for about a year. That includes the trip to the dipper for a month or so. I suppose it varies on how much work they have and type of car. My friends '67 camaro was a two month shorter stay. That was the original color for that car so I headed that direction but now that it's done, super happy I stayed with T5. Obviously it isn't exactly factory T5, base coat/clear coat with pearl added, so I'd call it a more modern T5. I disassembled everything when I took it down there, all panels were off, hinges removed there wasn't a nut, bolt or screw left, but I was more than happy to have them put panels back on. Figured if it got chipped it's already at the paint shop!
Hopefully mine won’t be a 1yr process, most of my body work is already done and the undercoat is on. I asked about the panels because I keep chipping my engine bay paint installing the front fenders. It’s driving me crazy knowing there is a scratch there even though it will never be seen. Except maybe that one on the front support. Lol.
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
A year is a long time for for body and paint but it depends a lot on the shop, their work load, how much is being done to the car and tons of other variables. Sounds like you are a few steps ahead of me as far as body work and the undercoat. These guys had the panels off and on so much between the metal work, blocking and painting to get the panel gaps right it didn't take them long to do the final assembly.
Very hard to find shops that do work like that on a Mopar. That car looks straight as glass. That is a lot of block sanding. What was the total price from their shop on the west coast?
I may get a divorce and move there just to have my Demon done. Then move back and beg forgiveness.
That is going to be one amazing Swinger. Thanks for sharing the build. Let me know when its ready for pick up. LOL
I may get a divorce and move there just to have my Demon done. Then move back and beg forgiveness.
That is going to be one amazing Swinger. Thanks for sharing the build. Let me know when its ready for pick up. LOL
4mopwr
Well-Known Member
Stranglehold, your car looks amazing!!!
You and the SHOP did an AWESOME job!
You and the SHOP did an AWESOME job!
Beautiful car!
Amazing work. 
abdywgn
dismantler
that looks scarey sitting that hi up on the trailer. glad you and the car made it home safely.
seeing that makes me wonder: could you make a dolly that would convert into a trailer? slide tubing in that has larger tires/axles and the front has the trailer hitch?
That thing looks so good I would just hang it up as an art piece. You wouldn't have to assemble it to enjoy.
dodgegtdart68
Well-Known Member
When they dip it do they split the hood ???
lemondana
BlackDart
Very nice build, love the T5 and saddle color combo. I have a 69 Coronet R/T, the same color combo. When my car was fairly new the original owner had it repainted a little darker, it does look better than the original T5. Absolutely stunning! Will be watching the rest. Carry on!
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
It wasn't split when it was dipped, but given the stretched metal the shop had to split it to fix it correctly. They did shoot epoxy on it before it went back together so that's good.
Stranglehold
Well-Known Member
Totally agree! There were so many parts I thought I was going to clean up and re-use and now I have to rethink that. The glass thing really has me thinking. I have some good factory glass (no cracks, little to no chips, acid etch still there) but glass wears, just like everything else. My friend ordered all new glass with correct dates for his '70 challenger. I'll work on a few pieces then make the call.
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