Hey my 71 is off for paint

ottawamerc · April 07, 2013, 07:49:58 AM

Ya the time has finally come and my years and months of work have brought my project to the "last" big step of getting paint. We are so close now it seems unbelievable and luckily the weather up here is behind too so I have not missed any nice days yet for cruises. Loading the car onto the trailer was bitter sweet as I was happy that it was going but disappointed when I was driving the car onto the trailer that it (the trailer) came unhitched due to a stupid mistake and drove the hitch into the tail gate of my truck

THEN in my second attempt the header flange bottomed out on the trailer and jolted me to a stop, thankfully no damage caused there

But hey its at the shop now so all is good!
I'll take some pics as the painting comes along, planning a base coat in Green Go and 3-6 coats of clear and wet sanding and polish along the way should be AWESOME!

nvrbdn · April 07, 2013, 09:07:54 AM

wow, sounds like you had a bit of excitement getting her loaded. glad it all worked out. cant wait to see updates. as far as the trailer goes, you can cat a couple 2x8's and bevel the edges. then mount them to the bed in the area that the tires will hit them lifting the car another 1 1/2 inches where the trans and exhaust would hit.

projectanimal · April 07, 2013, 09:14:59 AM

Congrats!!!

We are on the same page as you, look forward to seeing the shine!!

Fitz73Chrgr · April 07, 2013, 09:26:28 AM

Can't wait to see some color on it!

ottawamerc · April 07, 2013, 10:32:10 AM

Quote from: nvrbdn on April 07, 2013, 09:07:54 AM
wow, sounds like you had a bit of excitement getting her loaded. glad it all worked out. cant wait to see updates. as far as the trailer goes, you can cat a couple 2x8's and bevel the edges. then mount them to the bed in the area that the tires will hit them lifting the car another 1 1/2 inches where the trans and exhaust would hit.

Ya thats a good idea, I ended up disconnecting the trailer from the truck, chocking the trailer tires and letting it tilt up with the weight of the car coming on it. Worked but was tougher than needed be, it will go on the trailer only once more and I will use that method next

CDN72SE · April 07, 2013, 05:42:00 PM

I'll be watching, good luck!

myk · April 07, 2013, 08:00:34 PM

Exciting stuff-I hope the shop takes care of you guys...

ottawamerc · May 07, 2013, 09:34:03 PM

I can't believe it but its done! The final preps were done and into the paint booth last Thursday where we masked it all up and then on Friday the paint started flowing, first with another base of primer then the base of Green Go. That part went well then..... it was another hour or so of sanding with #800 to smooth en it out then 3 coats of clear. Saturday and Sunday, yep more sanding with #800 to prep for the next 3 coats of clear that was sprayed on Sunday night.

All taped up!

Base paint

3 coats of clear

Sanded with #800 ready for 3 more coats

Crappy pic of the assembly today

After assembling "the big parts" bumpers etc. came the next big step, the first drive with a whole new engine and drive train right down to the lug nuts. I gotta tell ya I was nervous as hell but it ran AWESOME

Drove the 20Kms from the paint shop to home with no issues, ran nice and cool and when I got close to home I gave it a couple of light bursts, Ya its good!!!

Now its wet sanding and buffing and final assembly, oh yeah baby!!

1970Moparmann · May 07, 2013, 09:39:21 PM

Congrats. Great color...

nvrbdn · May 08, 2013, 05:48:34 AM

great to hear. looking sweet.

RIDELIKEHELL · May 08, 2013, 06:10:41 AM

Looks awesome!

Rosco · May 08, 2013, 06:16:53 AM

Digging the green!

billfury · May 08, 2013, 06:24:58 AM

sweeeeeeeeeeeet.

projectanimal · May 08, 2013, 06:38:09 AM

Congratulations!!!! Such a great feeling and now the fun of the details can take place!

Fitz73Chrgr · May 08, 2013, 07:19:48 PM

NIIIIICE!!!

firefighter3931 · May 08, 2013, 11:04:19 PM

It turned out great Scott....congrats

Ron

WHITE AND RED 69 · May 08, 2013, 11:15:05 PM

Love the color! Looks great!

JB400 · May 09, 2013, 05:45:33 AM

Car looks great

Any plans to put any stripes or black outs on it anywhere?

ottawamerc · May 09, 2013, 06:43:25 AM

Quote from: stroker400 wedge on May 09, 2013, 05:45:33 AM
Car looks great Any plans to put any stripes or black outs on it anywhere?

Ya all original R/T stripes and hood black out to go on yet after paint cures for a couple of weeks. Anyone know somebody in the Ottawa area that does that? (put on stripes etc.)

Cooter · May 09, 2013, 06:50:54 AM

Looks Awesome!

projectanimal · May 09, 2013, 08:00:05 AM

Quote from: ottawamerc link=topic
/quote]

Ya all original R/T stripes and hood black out to go on yet after paint cures for a couple of weeks. Anyone know somebody in the Ottawa area that does that? (put on stripes etc.)

We ordered decals from Phoenix graphics and our painter is going to help install. Find a local guy to help and order the decals!

ottawamerc · May 09, 2013, 09:53:07 AM

Oh I allready bought the graphics awhile ago from Graphics Express

FJ6N96 · May 09, 2013, 10:21:08 AM

Paul G · May 11, 2013, 10:17:11 AM

I like the green and brown colors. They were very popular back in the day. Dropped out of style for a while, but coming back. Your Charger is looking good!

ottawamerc · May 25, 2013, 10:40:22 AM

Update:

After the quick minimum parts required to drive the car I drove it home, it was the first time it had ever been over 10Kmh I checked the odometer and was relived to see a good and lucky sign that this first drive was going to be ok

The drive went extremely well the engine ran smooth and at normal temps, the tranny was tight and firm shifts, everything worked like it had never been totally disassembled for 2 years

Next came another eye opener in the wet sanding and buffing of the finish, I never would have guessed that this step would be soooo labor intensive.. Now that I have completed the 1000 - 1500- and 2000 grit wet sanding I finally got to the buffing last night and I get to see the benefits of all those hours,, it looks great

I have taken the car out for a couple of short hops and even at the stage its at it has been gathering alot of attention, I'm very happy with the way its turning out so far.

JB400 · May 25, 2013, 10:57:23 AM

Glad to hear you're having some fun with it.

Just don't get in too big of a hurry

charge69 · May 25, 2013, 11:32:20 AM

Awesome looking Charger !! Just wait until you complete the restoration ! It will be a real attention-getter! Congrats

ottawamerc · June 11, 2013, 12:46:24 PM

Today the car went in to get its stripes, even though its STILL raining here I decided to go anyways and I'm glad I did. The guys at the shop did a great job installing the decals and thanks to those here that posted all the proper specs for the decals I think they are in the correct locations

Hard to believe that I only have to now install the rear view mirrors and upper drivers door panel and I"M DONE!!!!!!!

Now if only this rain would end here we could enjoy all this hard work and get out cruising

ACUDANUT · June 11, 2013, 01:57:19 PM

Looks great. Now you need some R/T taillights !!

tan top · June 11, 2013, 02:46:41 PM

:drool5:nice

ottawamerc · June 11, 2013, 05:34:58 PM

Quote from: ACUDANUT on June 11, 2013, 01:57:19 PM
Looks great. Now you need some R/T taillights !!

Ya there on the list ACUDANUT plus many other stuff,,, bring on the swap meets

Charger-Bodie · June 11, 2013, 10:44:47 PM

I personally don't mind the tailights it has now. Hard to beat the R/T lights but they surely aren't ugly.

JB400 · June 12, 2013, 01:25:00 AM

Glad to see your car earned its stripes.

CDN72SE · June 12, 2013, 12:58:34 PM

There'll be another Charger in the streets of Ontario, nice job! Maybe one day for me...

71 SE3834V · June 12, 2013, 01:39:13 PM

Yours is the only car other than mine that I've seen w/the taillights blacked out. Did you paint them? Mine were black when I bought it so I recoated them cause I liked it.

TruckDriver · June 12, 2013, 01:45:48 PM

Very nice!

ottawamerc · June 13, 2013, 04:59:06 PM

Quote from: 71 SE3834V on June 12, 2013, 01:39:13 PM
Yours is the only car other than mine that I've seen w/the taillights blacked out. Did you paint them? Mine were black when I bought it so I recoated them cause I liked it.

Ya I redid the assembly while building the car. When I bought it it had 72 lights in it which was one of the first parts to go, I wanted the R/T style but I have not found any yet so I went with the 71 assembly that I did locate. I repainted it black from the original silver, I used trim paint I think from dupont in a rattle can and I like the way they turned out..

carsnguitars · June 13, 2013, 05:30:35 PM

Nice...but now it makes me wanna get mine painted too....

I love that color on the car as well...

71 SE3834V · June 13, 2013, 10:05:52 PM

Quote from: ottawamerc on June 13, 2013, 04:59:06 PM
Quote from: 71 SE3834V on June 12, 2013, 01:39:13 PM
Yours is the only car other than mine that I've seen w/the taillights blacked out. Did you paint them? Mine were black when I bought it so I recoated them cause I liked it.

Ya I redid the assembly while building the car. When I bought it it had 72 lights in it which was one of the first parts to go, I wanted the R/T style but I have not found any yet so I went with the 71 assembly that I did locate. I repainted it black from the original silver, I used trim paint I think from dupont in a rattle can and I like the way they turned out..

Yeah, not a big fan of the '72 taillights either, no offense to anyone who has them.
Did mine with a rattle can also. I think the blacked out tails goes well w/the black in my hideaways and the black vinyl top. Thinking about painting a silver stripe around each lens in the groove.

Yours looks good w/the black strip and black hood insert. Do you have the blacked out R/T grill?
Everyone likes pics right? Here's a pic of mine. It's a work in progress.

ottawamerc · June 14, 2013, 08:00:51 AM

Yeah, not a big fan of the '72 taillights either, no offense to anyone who has them.
Did mine with a rattle can also. I think the blacked out tails goes well w/the black in my hideaways and the black vinyl top. Thinking about painting a silver stripe around each lens in the groove.

Yours looks good w/the black strip and black hood insert. Do you have the blacked out R/T grill?
Everyone likes pics right? Here's a pic of mine. It's a work in progress.

[/quote]

I was also thinking of doing the recessed area in silver , it might highlight them better?? I do have the blacked out grill but I swapped out for the hideaway head light option.

Scott

ACUDANUT · June 14, 2013, 01:09:29 PM

Quote : "I swapped out for the hideaway head light option". Well, let's see it. We love pic's.

ottawamerc · July 07, 2013, 08:32:30 PM

Well I finally was able to get it out to my/ its first show today, I spent an hour or so getting it ready and clean then headed out only to run into 2 rain storms

Oh well that's the story for this year in Eastern Ontario I guess. I enjoyed the day and meeting other enthusiasts and in the end the car took home a 2nd place in the muscle car category.

Actually it was a all Mopar finish with a 72 RR 440+6 taking 3rd and a 68 Charger in first. I came home pleased with the outcome for a first show then noticed the engine was running a little rough so I pulled a plug and woaaa its now quite white in color

Oh well back to the drawing board

Scott

ottawamerc · July 08, 2013, 04:31:56 PM

WHEW !! close one,, I was just checking my engine and I was happy to see there is still 176lbs in each cylinder and all that was wrong was the choke pulloff vac line was disconnected.

That little line had me up at 3 am. wondering last night damn. Also installed the new #66 jets into my center carb and thus far I'm happy with the difference, I hope to road test it tonight.

Scott

RIDELIKEHELL · July 08, 2013, 04:38:24 PM

Good luck Scott! Hope to see that car someday

ottawamerc · July 08, 2013, 05:01:52 PM

Quote from: RIDELIKEHELL on July 08, 2013, 04:38:24 PM
Good luck Scott! Hope to see that car someday

\
Should have it at Moparfest, hope to see ya there

firefighter3931 · July 08, 2013, 05:14:43 PM

Quote from: ottawamerc on July 08, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
Also installed the new #66 jets into my center carb and thus far I'm happy with the difference, I hope to road test it tonight.

Scott

The 66's should help with the cruise AFR's but it might want a bit more...test, test and test again.

Do you have a bung welded into your collector ?

I have a LM1 wideband that would take all of the guesswork out of it

Ron

ottawamerc · July 08, 2013, 05:42:19 PM

Quote from: firefighter3931 on July 08, 2013, 05:14:43 PM
Quote from: ottawamerc on July 08, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
Also installed the new #66 jets into my center carb and thus far I'm happy with the difference, I hope to road test it tonight.

Scott

The 66's should help with the cruise AFR's but it might want a bit more...test, test and test again.

Do you have a bung welded into your collector ?

I have a LM1 wideband that would take all of the guesswork out of it

Ya I heard I could soon enough

Ron

brigond · July 08, 2013, 10:25:58 PM

Gotta love the greeeeeen!!!!

News:

Hey my 71 is off for paint