Optik
Well-Known Member
okay here is the scenario...just acquired a 63 Dart 4-door project. This car has been all over the US but recent history is this....it was in a basement garage that flooded to the top. Car was completely under water but not for long, only a day or two. The motor got water in it that stayed for a while and seized it up inside. After this happened, a friend rescued it from its tomb and started taking it apart, then lost interest. the motor got scrapped, trans is still in the car. Despite being under water, this car is pretty solid for a midwest rust-belt vehicle. it will need some metal replacement on the lower rear quarters but thats about it, all the other usual trouble spots like floors, trunk, and windshield corners front and rear are free from rot and cancer, making this car worth saving. as it sits, this car is partially disassembled, the motor is out, but the suspension and the rest of the running gear are still there. front and rear windshields are out. interior is out.
here is my issue - i don't have a garage to work in, i'm doing everything in a carport. I want to make this car into a decent looking and more importantly, reliable daily driver for my wife. I'm not afraid to tackle the body work but it has to be done in a manner so that it will not deteriorate by being outside, although it IS somewhat sheltered from the elements. I have a cloth cover for it but i'm thinking a plastic tarp might be better at keeping the water off it.
So where would you all start on the body, again, keeping in mind that it is sort of outside. and what would you recommend to use on it to keep any more rust at bay while work is in progress. My plan right now is to work on it in stages, like the doors one weekend, fenders the next, then get started on the shell, but would like to hear recommendations from you home-builders. also suggestions as to affordable tools like paint guns, sanders, welder, etc. I don't have much money at all so i'd like to spend as little as possible while maximizing the amount of work that i will do myself. i figure that i can reasonably spend 10 hours a week at least on it. again, this will NOT be a show car but simply a driver. Paint choice is most likely going to be flat black.
whew, thats a lot but to sum up here is what i'm asking of FABO...an outline of a work plan and maybe a list of necessary tools.
Thanks all.
-Tim
here is my issue - i don't have a garage to work in, i'm doing everything in a carport. I want to make this car into a decent looking and more importantly, reliable daily driver for my wife. I'm not afraid to tackle the body work but it has to be done in a manner so that it will not deteriorate by being outside, although it IS somewhat sheltered from the elements. I have a cloth cover for it but i'm thinking a plastic tarp might be better at keeping the water off it.
So where would you all start on the body, again, keeping in mind that it is sort of outside. and what would you recommend to use on it to keep any more rust at bay while work is in progress. My plan right now is to work on it in stages, like the doors one weekend, fenders the next, then get started on the shell, but would like to hear recommendations from you home-builders. also suggestions as to affordable tools like paint guns, sanders, welder, etc. I don't have much money at all so i'd like to spend as little as possible while maximizing the amount of work that i will do myself. i figure that i can reasonably spend 10 hours a week at least on it. again, this will NOT be a show car but simply a driver. Paint choice is most likely going to be flat black.
whew, thats a lot but to sum up here is what i'm asking of FABO...an outline of a work plan and maybe a list of necessary tools.
Thanks all.
-Tim
