Smartin Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 The rear windshield molding is not a fun install. It's done, though.I managed to remove the original trunk weatherstrip and was able to reuse it after a thorough scrubbing. Slowly coming together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Sunday was a waste for me in the garage, and I have been out of town for work the last 2 days. I took a bit of time tonight and finished polishing the drip rail moldings and installed them. Looks like a complete car if you only look at the top half!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanZverina Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Hi Adam,Can you share with the forum what you do - and use - to refinish parts such as the drip rail? Inquiring minds want to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Jan,It varies greatly, depending on condition and size. These drip rails, for example, (also the rear window moldings) have a chrome plating on them. Underneath, they are stainless. Buick did this on their upper series cars to keep the shine durable. Chrome plating cannot be polished, as opposed to popular thinking. It is too hard. To eliminate scratches, it must be stripped and rechromed, or if it is stainless like these parts, they can be polished like any other stainless trim piece.To polish the stainless, I use several steps. First step is to tap out any dents. Tap out the dent so that it's high on the front side. I then use a fine file to cut the high spots down flat. After that, I use a DA sander with 320 grit to remove the file marks. To remove those scratches, I use 800 grit wet sand paper. You can go to 600 to make it easier to get rid of the scratches from the DA, but then you have to still use 800 to go further. I normally go to 1000 grit on skinny parts like the drip rails. But on large flat pieces, I will go to 1500 grit. Once the sanding is done, it's time to move to the polishing wheel. I used to use 3 different wheels, and in doing so, I wasted a lot of time. I go straight for the loose cotton wheel with white compound. It is a slow process to completely remove the sanding scratches, but the result is a mirror...just like chrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Adam, Can you show the work room and the wheel that you use to do this fantastic work? Inquiring minds want to know.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 I took a bit of time tonight and finished polishing the drip rail moldings and installed them. Looks like a complete car if you only look at the top half!:cool:I Like!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Adam, Can you show the work room and the wheel that you use to do this fantastic work? Inquiring minds want to know....Jim, it's just a corner in the garage where I have my pedestal and wheels. Nothing special I am going out there in a bit to organize the rest of the stainless, so I may shoot a photo...but it's a complete disaster right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 The sweepspear trim is ready to be polished, for the most part. Hopefully, I don't run into many big dents or scratches. After a quick inspection, they look pretty clean. I stripped the lovely tangerine paint off the pieces this evening. I did a quick polish on the two small pieces that make the upsweep in front of the rear tires. They look pretty good. I can't wait to get some blue paint on these! I did find some traces of the original blue paint on the trim, and it looks just like the trim I used to match the paint. Cool.:cool:OK Jim: Here's a quick tour of the process...First photo is where I knock out dents and do my general persuading of trim that has been tweaked. Second photo is where I stand for hours on end with a piece of wet/dry sandpaper, rubbing out the previous grit's scratches. The third photo is of the "polishing station." All that grey crap you see on the walls has to be wiped/vacuumed off after every project. It is a real mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 YEP, I can tell you have been at it, the polishing/dust on the floor tells it all.Nice work,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Adam,Thanks for the pictures of the nerve center, very cool. Totally understand the dust / crud factor. Did you get your buffing machine from Eastwood along with the stand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 All of the wheels and compounds came from Eastwood. Motor and stand were from harbor freight. I was worried about quality with the motor, but it's worked hard all year with no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 I imagine you need a lot of space so as to handle the long pieces of trim. Is it possible to rig up a cheap blanket on a shower curtain rod hung from the ceiling to prevent the overspray from landing on your compressor? That could then be discarded after the job at hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) Adam, Thanks. Harbor Freight is usually not too bad regarding basic things like that. JohnD, you are a process magician! I suspect that you have done process improvement in an earlier life... Edited January 12, 2015 by 1957buickjim (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 It really doesn't bother me much. I have to clean the compressor filter more often, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Is that the Harbor Freight 1/2 HP unit or a 1 HP unit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 It's a 3/4hp unit:http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-bench-grinder-buffer-94327.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Well, after 5 days in Cancun, it's back to reality...I pulled the car out to clean up the garage a bit and hose off the dust. I made the decision to re-clear the front left fender and roof, due to a couple spots that bugged me every time I walked by. Tomorrow, I will cut and buff those panels.The photos don't do the car justice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Looking great!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Looks super duper KOOL to me.Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Some sweepspearz ready for paint...almost Masking is almost as much fun as waiting for the paint to dry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Awesome! Can't wait to see the pics with the trim on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 Working late this evening...I had to hang some trim after it was painted. I couldn't resist!!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 AWESOME!!!! wow, looks great Adam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Crap I am drooling!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 You're going to drool even more this afternoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 All spit-shined!Things to do:Paint black parts forward of the radiatorInstall grille bar, grille, bumpersReplace drivers vent window glassInstall door panels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts_DG8 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Someones going to be feeling pretty darn proud to be getting this back as it's going to be turning a lot of heads where ever it is, parked or going down the road. Looks great and it's not even finished, nice job. Scott... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 It went from being a nice-looking Buick to a dropdead gorgeous Buick, it is striking. Everything works perfectly together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Thanks! I agree about the colors working very well together. I think I am as excited about this as Lance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Just cleaning up some of the black stuff before I bolt the grille back on.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 OMG! It's a work of art! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 Thanks, John! I installed the NOS grille and rechromed grille bar tonight. The bumper is ready to hang, but I need to recruit a buddy to help with that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Looking awesome! Only drawback is now everything else on the car looks so shabby in comparison! Can't wait to see the finished product... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Lance, you're going to have a really hard time leaving that "other" stuff alone once you start digging in I had to hold myself back on the engine compartment. Those nice clean bolts look really good!I reinstalled the two passenger side door panels tonight. I have to take apart the drivers vent window to replace the glass, so that panel will have to wait. Projected date of completion - February 7!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 I replaced the drivers vent window yesterday and installed the two passenger side door panels. Today, the other two go back on before the "big game" party.I took some photos yesterday before the weather took a crap, and took it down to the gas station for a fresh tank of good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudbone Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 This car is absolutely stunning! I love the color combo. Nice work! Mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Looks fantastic Adam!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancemb Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Wow. This is exactly how I've been envisioning the car for years! I'll be picking it up as soon as the road conditions allow! Now if I can just get that danged trunk script... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Beautiful job & car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartin Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thank you!Hopefully, the weather won't hold you up too much, Lance. It's tough this time of year to find a good opportunity to drive these cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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