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Brandon Todd

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Posts posted by Brandon Todd

    How to Protect Chrome?

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    2 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

    I have cleaned chrome real good, then wiped it thoroughly with lacquer thinner and shot a coat of rattle can clear over it. Four years from now wipe it off with whatever your liberal education will allow you to use.

     

    That trick works very well on nasty die cast. Like, sell a car looking good.

    Bernie

    You can shoot clear-coat over chrome? I figured it wouldnt stick well. And if it did, leave the chrome looking sort of hazy. But i have no idea.

    How to Protect Chrome?

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Beemon said:

     

    Take it with you! My mother protested I leave my Buick home while at college. Even though it's a rusted mess, I told her not a chance!

     

    In regards to Chrome, what SpecialEd said. My chrome is pitted in many places, so I've just waxed it with chrome polish once a month to keep it shiny and smooth and protected.

    oh how i wish i could!! haha. but im only about 70 miles away. But, my car has a nice, happy garage at home. plus the car isnt registered, i havent even got to really drive it yet!

    How to Protect Chrome?

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    Hello,

     

    Since I can only visit my Buick on the weekends (college life!), I was wondering if anyone has any good tricks on perserving chrome pieces?

     

    Now that I finally have a nice set of rear bumper ends on the 57, I'd like to keep them shiny! I know how to clean chrome very well, but how would I go about protecting the chrome to keep them rust-free? I know the usual, keep out of rain, stay inside and dry routine, but is there a certain type of wax or grease that works well? And should I apply said wax/grease then buff off, or leave a layer? 

     

    Thanks for any input! I appreciate it

    Interior Restoration

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted · Edited by Brandon Todd (see edit history)

    16 minutes ago, Tinindian said:

     

    16 minutes ago, Tinindian said:

    Regarding post # 35.  From your pictures looking at the seams and the wrinkles I think you paid too much at $460.00.  In fact I wouldn't have accepted the job.  Or maybe I would be expecting an excellent job for a charge of about $4,000.00.

     

    I had my seats done 35 years ago.  The trimmer's question was "do you want them like original with tacks or just re done modern style with staples".  I supplied the mohair he did the work for $2,000.00.  The pleats, folds and overlaps were exactly as original.  Because it was easier that he expected and I had just brought him the seats he sewed my new headliner for free.  It took me five hours to hang the headliner and it fit just like the original.

     

     

    Nah, my seats rule!!! I probably could of got a wrinkle out for an additional $2,000, but I love em. Plus the seams look just the original ones. I love all of it! Especially since I helped make the door panels instead of just sending it off and dealing out wads of bills. If you want to reject that then there is no fun in the project.

     

    I'm not saying thousands is too much if you want a 100% original, totally flawless job. I just think it's funner to do as much as you can by yourself/ with close people, rather than "pick it up in 3 weeks, pay me."

     

    More memories that way, and a 1/10 of the price.

     

     

    • Like 5

    Interior Restoration

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    I paid about a solid grand for my interior. Thats for the cost of the material and labor for all four door panels, both seats (with new foam) dash, carpet, and the various little pieces like the top of the door handles, glovebox fabric piece, etc. I just now finally got all of it back, and hopefully will get it put in this weekend! (excited!). 

     

     

    • Like 2

    A question about older (50s) key blanks

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    Hello, 

    I am needed to get a couple new keys made for the 57 Buick. I only have one key and i'd be in a lot of trouble if I lost it. 

     

    I know online i can get the original looking keys very cheap. However, I've seen some Buick keys that look really neat, gold plated with emblems and such. The problem is I do not know if I'd be able to buy just any blank key for that car and make it work. I know in the 60s GM started stamping letters on keys so they match certain years. But .I cannot find anywhere which will work for an older car like mine.

     

    If I have to buy the normal, original-looking kind that is alright, I would just like to get a less boring one if possible. 

     

    Thanks!

    Don't Worry, I'm Still Here!

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    Been a while since I posted on here, I've been busy preparing to go onto more college. but I'm still here! 

     

    The Buick project has been going steady. I found an interior "Garnet Red" color that I like and have been in the process of removing all the trim from inside the car and painting it piece by piece. Same with the opposite (ivory) color. I'll have to take some pictures. The inside of the car is not too pretty looking right now with everything being removed and loose for painting purposes.

     

    So far I have the front dash, door panels, backseat, and other little items reupholstered. Really the main thing left in that department is the front seat. 

     

    As far as body work, I still need one major chrome piece, but other than that the car is 100% complete. (I have the piece now, but the previous owner has it all bondo-ed). 

     

    We are also about to do some welding. The only part on the car that has full-on rust holes in the passenger-side rear door. We are going to cut it off at the sweep-spear line to help hide the seam and weld a new piece of metal. I also need new rocker panels, I'm guessing both inner and outer. (if anyone has any advice on where to buy a new set of those I would greatly appreciate it!) 

     

    The rebuilt Dynaflow is still going strong, although I haven't driven the car much to really test it (still not licensed). 

     

    The engine is also running smooth, it just needs new freeze plugs, which I have but haven't got around to messing with it yet. So it leaks a little coolant currently.

     

    It's slow, steady, but fun process!

     

    -Brandon T.

    • Like 3

    Need Help Finding Paint! - Garnet Red (1957)

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Paul Falabella said:

    Are you sure the interior color was exactly the same as the exterior? The reason I ask is the roof of my 55 is Nile green(X). After much research I figured the interior to be Glacier green, a 1952 color very close to Nile green. 

     Also when you are sure try Tower paint, they will put any color code in a can.

    Hey thanks for the advice! No, the interior was not exactly the exterior color. I think before it was more orange than copper, and since it is faded it is an ugly pink color. I think that metallic copper would look really cool inside though.

    Need Help Finding Paint! - Garnet Red (1957)

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    6 hours ago, trickrk said:

    matching paint is a PITA for sure. Fade and deterioration make it all the more difficult. You are right to try to find a area that is not sun bleached to match to.

    Some PPG jobbers and/or shops that spray PPG have a color scanner camera (forget what its called) that may get you out of the "Doctor Pepper" range and closer to your actual color. 

    Many times the actual toners for out dated paint codes are no longer available. Metallics change, materials change, what was once single stage lacquer is now only available in base coat/ clear coat and water base paint.

    Try to find one of the old color chip books for your year car to give you a actual paint chip ,  I see them on eBay or at car shows a lot.

     

    Good luck, Rick

    Thanks! Actually i just bought one yesterday off ebay! Hopefully that'll help

    Need Help Finding Paint! - Garnet Red (1957)

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted · Edited by Kickin_kenny (see edit history)

    Hello,

    I went to the auto store the other day wanting to get some paint mixed for the interior of the car. My 1957 Buick has the Garnet Red/Antique Ivory exterior paint scheme, and I'm wanting to paint the "orange" parts inside the car the same color. All the auto stores around here have the code for 1957 Garnet Red in their systems, but it is always the wrong color. It comes up as a dark/Dr. Pepper purple/red color. That is what Garnet Red is considered to be today, but for 1957 it was more of a copper. 

     

    I was wanting to ask if anyone else has had the same experience with the same color and if anyone has found a paint color that actually matches somewhere. The store is closed today, but I am going to try and take a non-faded piece of the car into them and see if they can scan it and make a "custom" color out of it that matches.

     

    Thanks for any help!

     

    image8.JPG

    Padded dash in 55?

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted

    Further, I was referring to my 56 Dash, which Mike called the first padded dash in the Buicks. My 56 dash has so little padding I think its funny that it was called padded.

    Oh, Okay! See, i thought you were poking at the way i did my dash, haha. Cause i used foam and vinyl...

    Padded dash in 55?

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted · Edited by Brandon T (see edit history)

    Oh yea, the cat on the fender guy. Thanks for the tip on that thread too, had missed a few things in it.

    Man I would have loved to have seen that continental Century back in it's day. That thing was decked out with everything.

    Thanks for biting on my name. Cat fender guy! I didn't pad a dash on a 1955, I did on my 1957. I just turned 21, can't afford more cars quite yet!

    I don't know if you all are trying to take a shot at me or not, but my dash rules! Dont be jealous! Like i said, it's not really a "padded" dash. But it feels just like how it did from the factory before i sent it over. it just gives it a nice, thicker texture- rather than just a piece of material over metal. I consider it padded, but maybe it's not the correct term. Hell i don't know. I like it.

    making a new dash board pad

    in Buick - Post War

    Posted · Edited by MrEarl
    removed profanity from quote (see edit history)

    welll man, how bout some details BT!

    Sorry friends! I just realized you all replied! I wasn't following the topic.

    Anyway, I didn't really "send it off" anywhere, so really my picture remains useless. I found a very nice guy who literally lives like half a mile away from my home and he is in charge of the upholstery. Very good work though! The door panels look even more amazing in person. The dash has a thin layer of foam under it. The same foam used in my door panels. The dash is now slightly "squishy", which i like, but not so much that it can accidentally be indented. The fabric over it is then sprayed glued on. No fancy work is needed, really. I think a lot of people overthink it. I love the dash and it looks and feels amazing.

    Sorry again, and hope it helps!

    Brandon T

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