Restoring an 8,000 Mile 2.3-16

[lomtevas]

Some more effort was expended to wet sand the car today.

[lomtevas]

The starboard rear door sill shows the line where new paint will join old paint.

The rear quarter was sanded and today's focus was again the hood.

[Cappadocie]

Great work lomtevas...have you decided upon what brand paint and lacquer you will be using?

[lomtevas]

Originally Posted by Cappadocie

Great work lomtevas...have you decided upon what brand paint and lacquer you will be using?

Spies Hecker - paint for car refinishing, VOC compliant products, color finder

[sportlineguy]

Just a quick question -

I have been following this thread and wonder why start with a "new" car and then redo it. It seems that the cost=money being spent would be the same with all the mechanical and cosmetic work being done on an older higher mileage car vs a younger one. Am I the only one thinking this?

[lomtevas]

Originally Posted by sportlineguy

Just a quick question -

I have been following this thread and wonder why start with a "new" car and then redo it ... .

The vehicle was vandalized all over its painted and glass surfaces. If all I had to do was bring the fuel system up to standard, then I would have saved a mint.

However, I cannot take this car and leave it in warehouse condition with key scratches, dents and dimples.

Hold your breath. The first photo is the original grille with clipped off star. Some idiot decided to use his foot to kick the starboard top of it. This damaged the frame and wrinkled the strips.

The 2.3-16 badge area on the starboard side trunk lid had a prominent scratch right next to the "16". See it?

I hope the hood is at a high enough resolution for you too see the stained glass-like system of cracks and scratches in the paint. There are dimples and dents too.

So the real issue is whether it is appropriate to leave a jewel like this in its vandalized state.

My decision was to restore the paint.

[lomtevas]

...And the restoration is as serious as a heart attack.

The standard for the hood was absolute mirror straightness. This means that any reflection in it has to be mirror correct. The reflections in the first picture indicate that the hood along the starboard line reflects ceiling lamps without error. Straight line reflections also appear flawless.

The second and third photos also show a flawless reflection performance of the prep.

The fourth photo reveals an overall flawless roundness and shaping of the hood with zero reflection error.

The roof panel is no less flawless in its reflection performance.

The 199 paint will therefore appear like a large slab of black glass reflecting everything in a lifelike and accurate manner.

[Boardmonger]

wow.

[antgli]

Wow is right! I admire your dedication to restore the 2.3 16 ! Can't wait to see the final stages!

[Cappadocie]

If it were my car i'd do the same. Shows a real love for the marque and a true dedication and willingness to go the extra mile.