Josh's Build Thread
06-13-12, 02:12 PM
#126
Yesterday I broke down the rear control arms a bit and finished the bondo on the rear of the car.
I'm going on vacation for a few weeks in the states and then I'll take a week back here, at home, to work on the car. We'll see what I can get done when I get back.
I'm going on vacation for a few weeks in the states and then I'll take a week back here, at home, to work on the car. We'll see what I can get done when I get back.
06-16-12, 09:56 AM
#127
I forgot to mention in my last update: When I removed the rear calipers to check their condition and function, one was seized. That brings my car-wide seized piston count to 6 out of 10. It's no wonder I had such crappy pedal feel. Should be 1000% better with all new calipers, hard lines, and stainless braided lines, and a rebuilt master cylinder.
06-27-12, 09:12 PM
#128
Little mid-vacation update: During the Ohio leg of my vacation I managed to gather up all the tools I should need to finish the car (tubing bender, double flaring tool, etc). I also ransacked my old tool box that I forgot I had at my grandparent's house, that was just full of useful tools. I should be in good shape for making my mid-August Ramstein Car Show deadline.
On a separate note I found out I made Technical Sergeant (E-6) and should sew on my new rank (and receive my higher pay) by the end of the year...it's been a pretty good vacation so far.
On a separate note I found out I made Technical Sergeant (E-6) and should sew on my new rank (and receive my higher pay) by the end of the year...it's been a pretty good vacation so far.
07-09-12, 04:46 PM
#129
Day 42: Today I got back to work on the car for the first time in almost month (vacation). My deadline looms ominously, 18 Aug. I finished welding in the sunroof, almost finished disassembling the rear control arms, and got all of my new tools put away. Tomorrow Higgi will be here, with some molds for me to make some pretty new parts. I'll also grind off the face of the welds and start bonding the roof and finish disassembly of the rear control arms. Hoping to be done with paint by the weekend.
07-11-12, 02:21 PM
#130
Day 44: Over the last couple days I've been working on prepping the car for paint. I got my paint ordered and should be picking it up tomorrow. I also got the molds for the FC2000 bumper, OEM fenders, and URAS hood vent. I have to push my paint deadline to the weekend after this one, to give me enough time to fab up the parts and prep them for paint. Today I got the rear control arms completely disassembled and got the engine bay primed. Tomorrow I'll finish prepping the interior and prime it. I may try to paint the engine bay and interior their final color so the car can come off the rotisserie. Here's some pics:
Molds:
Engine Bay:
Welded in sunroof panel:
Molds:
Engine Bay:
Welded in sunroof panel:
07-11-12, 02:51 PM
#132
LOL, the goal of the build is still the same, I just put a bit more effort towards reaching the goal.
I also think I have a goal lap time. A Bridge to Gantry time of around 8:00...that's pretty quick, lol. And since I have my GoPro, you can bet there will be lots of videos as I chronicle my quest to reach that goal.
I also think I have a goal lap time. A Bridge to Gantry time of around 8:00...that's pretty quick, lol. And since I have my GoPro, you can bet there will be lots of videos as I chronicle my quest to reach that goal.
07-13-12, 03:33 AM
#133
Day 45: Yesterday I got the interior primed and picked up my paint. Because of the extra work I created for myself with making the bumper, fenders, and hood vent, I won't make my deadline to have the whole thing painted this weekend, but I should at least have the interior and engine bay sprayed. Then things can start going back together.
07-14-12, 02:14 PM
#134
Day 47: Got the second coat of bondo applied and sanded off the roof. Also touched up some primer scuffing on the interior and sprayed the door jams a bit. Tomorrow the bondo will be done. Then it will be time to prime the rest of the main portion of the body. If I'm lucky I'll get some time with the doors. Not a ton of work to do there, but it's one step closer to paint.
I'm thinking about shaving the moldings/trim off the sides...thoughts?
Here's a pic of the roof:
I'm thinking about shaving the moldings/trim off the sides...thoughts?
Here's a pic of the roof:
07-14-12, 02:40 PM
#136
I wish I had the photoshop skills to do up a couple down and dirty pics with my bumper and wing added. I think the giant wing off the back will kinda balance it out. I'm just not sure though, and it will add a couple days to the build...and my deadline is bearing down on me pretty hard.
07-14-12, 11:38 PM
#139
Thanks Higgi.
Sharingan, definitely nothing "new" about the skills, I've been doing body work for almost a decade now. I do agree though, without the lines the sides of the car look very bland. It was one of those "I'm doing this already, so why not do this as well" kind of things.
Sharingan, definitely nothing "new" about the skills, I've been doing body work for almost a decade now. I do agree though, without the lines the sides of the car look very bland. It was one of those "I'm doing this already, so why not do this as well" kind of things.
07-15-12, 10:16 PM
#142
Day 48: Yesterday I spread on some more roof bondo. I decided to take a break from sanding though. I gutted out the doors and got them ready for paint. I also cleaned up the rear bumper. Maybe today I'll get back to sanding...my hands are raw, so my motivation is low on the sanding part. I need to get the door's cut up so maybe I'll do that instead.
Quick tip for those that don't know about MotoIQ.com: When you're working with the sealant that holds the vapor barrier crap to your door, it's a bitch to clean up. If you pull on it quickly you can get the majority of it off, then you can use WD-40 to clean the residue off...works amazingly well.
Quick tip for those that don't know about MotoIQ.com: When you're working with the sealant that holds the vapor barrier crap to your door, it's a bitch to clean up. If you pull on it quickly you can get the majority of it off, then you can use WD-40 to clean the residue off...works amazingly well.
07-17-12, 01:07 PM
#145
Day 50: Door number two is done and I now have the supplies to do the fiberglass body parts. Tomorrow I'll scuff the doors to prep them for paint. I'll also snag some degreaser and some tack clothes. Hoping to have the interior and engine bay painted this weekend (a week after my original goal).
07-17-12, 10:21 PM
#147
I'm lucky to have a very understanding wife, that is cool with me spending all day at work, then hitting the garage after dinner, until it's time for my 3 boys to go to bed. She knows I'll be absolutely miserable if I don't meet my deadline of 18 Aug. During the week I only really get an hour and a half to two hours in the garage, unless I get off work early.
07-18-12, 01:39 PM
#148
Day 51: Today I had to make a supply run after work and I helped a buddy put his new steering wheel in his Skyline. So I got the doors scuffed and a little roof sanding done. I'm kinda at my wits end with the sanding...think I'm gonna borrow a DA, smooth it out and just prime it. Who cares if it's a bit wavy, it's a race car, lol.
07-18-12, 10:28 PM
#150
Well, see, we haven't had much discussion about the actual paint job itself. It's being painted a non-metallic, non-pearl, plain jane white. Then, after the clear coat is cured enough, everything from the molding line up is going to get wet sanded. Then from the high crown line that runs just above the door handle and through the fender, up, I'm doing a red design using sharpie paint pen. Once that's complete it will be re-cleared and wet sanded a final time to level everything out and polished. So between the second coat of clear and the red design, I'm pretty sure I can hide what little waves there end up being in the body work. I'm snagging a DA today, so we'll see.