Maxrat
Well-Known Member
I've been restoring a 66 Charger to stock conditions (except for engine) for ten years now. It has a Citron Gold interior and exterior running a 440 cu. in. with clock and A/C. I discovered early on that restoring these classics is challenging -- especially with limited facilities. So many parts weren't and aren't available, however, searching for parts can be both fun and challenging. This car was in really solid condition and was missing virtually no parts. I've also taken care to keep and find original hardware. Through that ten years, I restored all the original stainless trim and obtained replacements for all emblems and chrome. New carpet, door handles, emblems, mirrors, parts chromed, aluminum polished ready to go. But a three year ordeal to get it painted right isn't over yet. 1st -- base coat clear coat (paint looks good). Door dings show and sail panels need work. 2nd -- re-paint doors and sails -- paint doesn't match. 3rd -- I block sand the whole car (really smooth), they repaint it and the paint doesn't lay down right. 4th -- I block sand the whole car again (and I mean the whole car). 5th -- they repaint the car and there's so much trash in the base and clear I can't live with it. 6th -- I sand the whole car down again. 7th -- I take it to another shop and they paint it the wrong color. Now it sits -- interior and exterior stripped naked with too many layers of paint. I have three choices. A. Paint over it again (4th paint job) B. Strip it all back down and start over C. Give up and crush it.