55 Century Convertible project

[buick5563]

So, get off the computer and get back to work!

Yessir!

Was at a friends memorial today (damn, getting old sucks). Had an Irish whiskey (two) and a couple (more than a couple) of beers in his honor and decided to read through this entire thread, all melancholy and what not.
My apologies to you new guys trying to catch up with the progress and starting this thread two years and 550 posts in.

Nothing else to say.
RIP Mr. Bill

[Smartin]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend, Mike.

As tempting as it is to run down to TX and turn wrenches, I'm pretty locked down here for a while. Ask me again in a year...seriously.

BTW, have you seen Antique Automotive Service ?

[buick5563]

Ask me again in a year...seriously.

I will.

Very slick website, Adam. I love it! I just bookmarked it.

[1957buickjim]

Mike,

Anything new on the convertible front these days? Just wondering....

[buick5563]

Been busy working on a few other people's projects.
I HAVE gotten some prepping done. All of the body panels have been taken down to bare metal one way or the other then epoxy primed. I also painted the underside of the trunk lid. Even installed the insulation the way Bhigdog suggested. No shocker here, it worked like a charm.

[Smartin]

What is the process for getting that insulation in there? I am about to destroy mine.

[buick5563]

Also getting the wagon ready for the trip to Charlotte.
Pic one is the temp coming out of the underdash AC unit I installed. (comfy)
Pic two is white trash two tone. Couldn't keep looking at the horrible bondo job that was done earlier on the passenger side fender. The quarter panels still look like it is a demo derby car, but the primer looks mean.

[buick5563]

What is the process for getting that insulation in there? I am about to destroy mine.

The insulation I used was a two-ply product. I think you can get it from Dennis Carpenter Ford parts (Bob can help me here, since I stole some pieces from Willie's garage).
Anyway, if you lay it in the sun, the glue separates and you peel the two plies apart. This means you are dealing with a 1/16" instead of a 1/8" (approx) thickness. Now you can cut it oversize by 1/4-1/2" and actually be able to stuff it under the trunk braces. Install using weatherstrip adhesive instead of contact cement or you can't move it around. Once it sets up, it isn't going anywhere.
Now, if only I could stop spraying orange peel, I'd do a happy-as-a-clam dance!
That issue is for another forum though.

[38Buick 80C]

The insulation I used was a two-ply product. I think you can get it from Dennis Carpenter Ford parts (Bob can help me here, since I stole some pieces from Willie's garage).
Anyway, if you lay it in the sun, the glue separates and you peel the two plies apart. This means you are dealing with a 1/16" instead of a 1/8" (approx) thickness. Now you can cut it oversize by 1/4-1/2" and actually be able to stuff it under the trunk braces. Install using weatherstrip adhesive instead of contact cement or you can't move it around. Once it sets up, it isn't going anywhere.
Now, if only I could stop spraying orange peel, I'd do a happy-as-a-clam dance!
That issue is for another forum though.

Carpenter's place is right around the corner from the host hotel in Concord in case anyone wanted to stop by there. Looks like I need to make a visit myself, to get some insulation.

[1957buickjim]

So the trick is...how do you get all of the old stuff out from between the braces? Mine in the words of Sugarland "is stuck like glue"..Not that I am going to do it anytime soon, mind you.

[1957buickjim]

Interesting that your first post on the update was 555!

[buick5563]

Woohoo!
Leave some of the insulation in there for two reasons.
A) Additional sound-deadening
B) Lid won't tin can when waxing
C) Can't get it all out anyway.

That's three, Mike
Sue me...

[1957buickjim]

No legal action needed at this juncture.....I did the cheater method. Cut the old ones out with a sharp utility knife around the edges of the holes. Traced the parts on the new waffly material with a silver sharpie, cut those out, then peeled them apart and glued them into the spaces on the trunk with high power contact cement. Looks good and worked like a charm. Didn't have to take the stuff out between the supports.

Just thought if it was easy (silly me) that I might want to try taking all the stuff out and doing it like you. I have plenty of the waffle insulation, that is for sure.

[old-tank]

Now, if only I could stop spraying orange peel, I'd do a happy-as-a-clam dance!
That issue is for another forum though.

Maybe THIS is your problem...
Willie

[buick5563]

It won't shoot orange peel ever again!!!

[Rob McDonald]

That happens to way too many of my tools. Gotta lighten up.

[buick5563]

Well, I've got to get this thread back from the second page....
I've been busy. I've been re-painting a red and white 55 Century that had a lacquer paint job that was checking. I'll post pics when all is said and done, if the owner gives me permission. There is a steep learning curve to all restoration projects, but it seems I have finally caught my groove.
The other car I had a hand in is this 71 Olds 442 that I designed the paint and upholstery schemes for. Just farmed out the Nissan paint and ostrich skin interior. Also picked out some nice Foose wheels. (My client wanted a "resto-mod", or as Willis called it "resto-enhanced")
Anyway, hopefully the other convertible will be out of here soon so it frees up my white trash paint booth.
Enjoy:

[buick5563]

It's amazing the color change between a ton of fluorescents and natural light.
I just noticed it in the pictures.

[Rob McDonald]

I take you and your paint gun have overcome your differences regarding orange peel...?

[buick5563]

Thanks, yes.... Kinda
This is actually the third gun I have used, and the second system. I'm spraying acrylic enamel single stage. First gun was the Craftsman gun you saw me smash. Second one is an Italian HVLP gun sprayed with a compressor, and the third one is the Showtime system I bought from TP Tools. I have done a TON of troubleshooting with mixing ratios and gun settings and needle / nozzle sets, as well as getting advice from many talented craftsmen and paint store reps. Admittedly, there is still a lot of color sanding, but this car got 399 points at the BCA Nationals the first time around which gives me an extraordinarily high bar to leap.

[jackofalltrades70]

Mike,
So are you saying you like the Showtime system? I'm gonna look at one really hard while I'm at the Hershey meet and will probably be purchasing one. I've done a lot of research on different systems and this one seems to be more "user friendly" as far as me being the user. hehe.

[buick5563]

I had some gun issues at first with the Showtime system. Fred Zwicker and his crew have enthusiastically and happily solved all of them with either phone assistance or parts. I admittedly had to send the gun back to be tweaked a bit since I was having gun needle packing leakage. While this system is not necessarily easier to shoot paint with, the paint savings and (more importantly to me) nearly complete lack of overspray make it a good choice. If Fred sees this, he should show his guys the picture of that fender. That is the first time I have ever painted anything bigger than a dashboard.

[buick5563]

OK, it's Willie's 55 convertible that I'm painting. He is sensitive to the fumes from modern hardeners which is why I am painting it instead of him (which as you all know, he is quite capable of). Actually, he is very sensitive to many things. Internet pictures of cats, etc.

...and yes, he wants it back soon. He says it is because he wants me to finish my convertible so we can compete head-to-head at car shows. Personally, I think it is because he is tired of paying me to do things twice. Sorry Old Tank

[buick5563]

I'm back!
For some reason, I am having issues getting on Forum Runner (where I usually post my pics from).
been color sanding Old Tank's 55 conv. I'm going to be good at this when I paint my car!
Thanks everybody for your concern. I'm ok.

Hopefully, Willie will post the pics I sent him earlier, for proof
See y'all around soon.

[old-tank]

Here's some of his efforts: "I do not restore any 2nd place cars."....and I believe it!
Willie