In Progress...
Been working on freshening her up a little bit. She needs it. First was removing the headlight covers and grille and giving those some needed attention. I decided I wanted to do something different with my grille to keep things fresh for a while (I can always change it back later on if I get tired of it). After a lot of Photoshopping various ideas for a while and showing it to various friends and family, I decided to black it out. I also needed to repaint the headlight housings again. Instead of using the flat black colour that is stock I wanted something different and much darker. I don't care about restoration correctness with this car, I just want it to look nice the way I like, and its fun to do something a little different. It doesn't have the factory paint on it anyway (much brighter white I still haven't identified). Going with a high contrast theme here with the dark window tint, bright white, and really dark blacks (what I've been working on since yesterday evening, had to get clear coat today). I went with a Toyota black. :D Yes, I put an import colour on it. :flip: It's quite dark, I love it!
Pics so far (I tried to show various angles for the grille - sorry the car is filthy other than the newly painted parts and that the woods around my place is so dark):
(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1382/61189360.jpg)
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6870/14932574.jpg)
(http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/663/84597351.jpg)
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6055/85181772.jpg)
(http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/3264/41020615.jpg)
I also bought a new wrap for the steering wheel today (just like the other one only a little smaller so it fits tighter and is slightly lighter in colour and matches better). I did a better job on it this time than the one I did like 5 years ago. I took the old wrap off and put it on my truck's steering wheel. This is my favourite type of steering wheel grip, I hate how the steering wheel covers feel and scoot around sometimes if they don't fit perfect. This always stays put and feels great with awesome grip (and its cheap!). Here is the TC's new steering wheel wrap:
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1319/74030072.jpg)
I also stuck a new battery in my little extra clock with interior and exterior thermometer I've had in there for ages. :D
So yep.. next thing on the list of stuff to do is fix the dent on the passenger front, and the broken molding on the front bumper, passenger side. I have another little ugly spot on the back bumper from where I backed into a pole years ago. :hick: Going to fill and fix those spots up nicely and then repaint the entire molding around the car the Toyota black. Would have started already but it's been too wet. As soon as I get a dry spell I'm knocking that task out.
After that I need to yank the window border (my mind went blank just now on what that is actually called..) off and repaint it again with some flat black, the reinstall and try to fasten it on there better this time.
Have some rust to take care of, or at least slow the progression of for now until I can do more extensive body work, on the very bottom edge of the passenger door. Stupid rust.. :beatyoass:
I also have a hole in my drivers seat. One of the owners before me burned a cigarette hole in it.. :mad: Probably just gonna stitch it up and not try anything fancy. At least it wrong rip bigger.
So yeah.. that's what I've been up to. I'll hit up trying to make the engine bay not look like once all the exterior stuff is "done" (for now, still needs a full paint sometime). Trying to get her looking more presentable. Hopefully I'm not doing too bad.
I like the grille and headlight bezels like that .. looks good with the wheels :roxor:
Thanks, dude! :)
Oh yeah, forgot to mention another plan of action. I bought black hi temp caliper paint (and I already have clear hi temp) to paint my calipers and drums black so they aren't as noticeable. I'm gonna be wirebrushing for quite a while on those I'm sure.. >< It's like the Navy all over again! :D
Fixing some weatherstripping here and there along the door as well. Have the adhesive for it ready for application.
Safe to say we'll be seeing your ride up close at Thundercat get together friend. :cool: :headbang:
D & P ;)
Yep! Which means I have to clean her up more! lol! :D
You're heading in right direction....looks good! Love the wheels.
Maybe you want to consider a slight dark tint on the orange lamps to draw them into the theme?
Keep us posted, your on to something here.:D
Thanks! I wanted to do that too but I wasn't sure how to go about it yet. I'm gonna read a bunch today and figure out the best way. I think you are definitely right on it tying in to the theme. :)
I 'think' there is a spray application to do the tint but it's probably a trial and error procedure to get the look you want.
Yeah, not sure if I want to spray my lenses since it would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) to reverse. I'll think about it though.
About to start on some sanding and filling in a few spots on the molding. I think I have passable weather to at least sand right now. Tomorrow I should be able to finish up the molding with any body work left and paint. I'll set up my EZ Up tent and surround it with plastic if I have to - I want to work on her so bad. :D
Okay.. I got rained out today just as I was surface prepping and cleaning before bondo work. I did manage to glue the flayed out part of my bumper back where it belongs and its ready for some filler now and it should be gone tomorrow.
(http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5102/miatascar.jpg)
Now I have to clean everything again though. I will do it one piece at a time so I'm sure to get something finished tomorrow. I suspect I will finish the entire molding tomorrow though. There are only half a dozen places that need fill and most are very small.
Once it started raining I stashed everything I had out back away and sat in my car for a while hoping it wouldn't last long and would clear up. Didn't clear up but while I was sitting in my car I figured I'd try something out. Painted my Thunderbird steering wheel emblem with some touch up paint I had left over from my Milano Red Acura Integra I used to own.
(http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6181/emblemtbird.jpg)
Matches my red stitched shift boot I've had in there for many years.
(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/6177/matchm.jpg)
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4378/interiorfront.jpg)
I need to repair this burn hole and flattened out seat foam. I have some seat cushion foam (new) I can put in there as well. I'll have to make a cut large enough to slide some in there and sew it back up (I can sew well).
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6325/cigburn.jpg)
Now THIS piece is aggravating me. I lost it somewhere in a parking lot when I lived in Florida and never found it. I have the passenger side one but I haven't been able to find a replacement for this one on the driver's side.
(http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9941/missingpiece.jpg)
Anyone have an extra piece for that? I hate that light cover being missing and bulb exposed; its very ugly.
I worked a bit on reattaching weather stripping that was coming loose but the rain got to me before I could let the adhesive finish bonding with the door open and I had to close it (which messed it up again since it wasn't dry). I think I'm gonna go back out in a bit and see what other little things I can take care of that I can take inside to work on. Hopefully I'll have her painted up tomorrow and can take some pics of that.
I have one of those lenses........... PM me your address and I will send it to you :D
Haha, I'm missing one of those too. Passenger side though.
I have one of those lenses........... PM me your address and I will send it to you :D
My door panels were in terrible shape and i replaced them with 87 base cougar panels so I have both lenses
Got it , Ill get it out to you asap :D
PM sent. Thanks!
VHT nightshades
this is two VERY light coats plus three coats of clear on my ranger front marker lights. the stuff gets dark with a quickness, so be careful how many coats you put on.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c73/gmby23/93%20ranger/301b19d4.jpg)
another shot in full sun
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c73/gmby23/93%20ranger/Picture039.jpg)
I might have to try that. It goes on the outside? What type of clear coat do you use (Acrylic lacquer, etc)?
yes, on the outside, its rattle can tint. and yeah, im pretty sure i used lacquer clear.
Thanks, Gumby. :)
Well,I got rained out again for a while (which is why I'm inside at the moment). I got a lot of sanding done though, and was starting on filler. Got a layer of it down where it was needed and then it started to sprinkle which turned into a moderate shower quickly. I scrambled for anything I could find asap and covered the 'wet' parts up. EZ up tent top and some plastic roll. As soon as I am sure it wont rain on me again today I'm gonna finish up the rest of the filler, sand, prime, glaze, sand a bit more, prep, tape, and then hopefully get that molding painted all the way around. Found many more spots that needed attention than I previously thought there was too so it is going to be a huge improvement. I did get a photo out of the whole rain ordeal though. :P
(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/6765/wiptbird.jpg)
I guess that's my official introduction now. ;) Me and my, currently, Bondo Bird.
This weather hates me. I had to stop before going any further because it started raining yet again (you lie weatherman!). I did get some work done at least. I sanded a little bit more until my current strip of sandpaper died but I didn't want to risk having anything trying to dry and it start raining more so I stayed away from the glaze and paints.
She's coming along.
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8142/sidewip1.jpg)
One side done.. I decided I am going to add a thick red pinstripe to the top of that after all. I really like the red on there with it now that I can see both styles at once.
(http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1290/rear1d.jpg)
Decided to paint those too. Good photo to show the original "black" and the Toyota colour.
(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5086/passfr1.jpg)
That bumper is gradually getting there. Needs glaze, primer and final smoothing out.
(http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7820/drivfr1.jpg)
Got a long way to go over here.. I dread masking more.
I'll work on her more tomorrow afternoon when it is SUPPOSEDLY going to be nice weather. Tomorrow morning though I'm going to pick up ANOTHER TrailBlazer, this time for my dad. :D He is trading in the mini van. He's wanted a TrailBlazer since I got mine so now he is getting one too. - doh..
Whew..
Can't pull myself away from this for long. Went ahead and did these:
(http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4357/tclogo.jpg)
The Honda Milano Red on that Toyota black really pops.
Niteshades... available in spray at local auto parts stores...
Dude the car looks great! But that steering wheel wrap has to go!!!! ;)
thanks! No way though, that grip is staying, lol I hate the stock steering wheel feel - its too narrow for me. :D
I should have most of this stuff finished tomorrow and then I can start on the calipers and drums and window trim. I can't wait to see it with the new paint after a wash too rather than shiny black and dirty, grungy white.
Got more done in the short while I got to work on her today since I got back from the stealership late (what scammers, we didn't get anything at that py place). Was about to tape up the front bumper and came in for a drink and saw the weather map and rain approaching (dammit..). Finished up what I was doing and called it a night.
(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1704/frontfiller.jpg)
(http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8404/rear2e.jpg)
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9361/rear1j.jpg)
(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3718/driversside.jpg)
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8483/helpercat.jpg)
My helper, rather I want her there or not.
I bought some pinstripe for her today, and some VHT Nightshade (might try it or might take it back, still undecided). *shrug* It looks like Saturday afternoon it might clear up and Sunday is supposed to be nice (heh..) so looks like tomorrow I wont be finishing the painting. I'll find something to work on though, I just don't know what yet. :P
Looking real nice!!!!!
Nathan , Great Job there friend. :headbang:
D & P ;)
Thanks! I'm just trying my best with it. I'm pretty new to this. :hick:
What's the saying? Dogs have masters; cats have staff :D
She looks a lot like my old cat Bandit (RIP). His orange was a little more reddish, though, and he had a little less white. I wish I could get another kitty, but with mom gone and dad getting up in years it's definitely not an option (and my allergies have gotten a LOT worse in the past 10 years...according to my allergist, they've never seen anyone react as violently to cat allergens as I do).
She is truly, absolutely rotten. :D She has been known to climb in the engine bay when I have the hood open (even cold motor, so its not just the heat) and get in front of whatever I'm doing in there for attention. She almost walked her way in front of a spray nozzle today and would have been a orange and Toyota black kitty. :evilgrin: Nah, I'd never spray her with paint. I love my pets even though they can be super attention hungry. :D
I'm luckily enough to not have bad allergy issues, at least not anymore it seems. I am lactose intolerant though so that always opens up a whole new world of stomach pain if I eat a little too much of the wrong thing. I have only myself to blame usually though; ice cream is just too tasty to pass up sometimes!
Nathan , Looks like your cat has a friend doing the same thing here friend. :D
(http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/Mercury-man/Our%20Pets/Our%20Pets/IMG_4454.jpg)
D & P ;)
LOL! omg.. exact same expression too. That's pretty funny!
Nathan it's like (gus) is saying "What's Up" :grinno:
:D I got plenty of nice weather today and got a lot done!
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7742/passqu.jpg)
(http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1552/frontffv.jpg)
It's not perfect but it is a lot better than before! No more holes!!
(http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/922/drside.jpg)
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6167/drrear.jpg)
(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7959/drivqu.jpg)
I even got to painting the door handles today. Also got the Turbo Coupe emblems back in the sides. I used contact cement. Next is all the window trim that is peeling and/or faded. After I give her a good wash I will do that, as well as re-pinstripe her. I'm gonna give her plenty of coats of wax and start keeping her under cover when she isn't on the road. Need to keep her away from all of that nasty pollen, tree sap, and pine needles and leaves. :)
EDIT: Oh yeah, I took the VHT Nightshade tint back to the store today. Changed my mind about it. Decided I liked the orange 'popping' like that. I was afraid I wouldn't like the tint.
Was gone most of the day so all I really got done was giving her a good car wash at home, and some electrical repairs. Had a few lights out. Turns out two were just bad connections so I checked everything out and found some corrosion and got rid of it with contact cleaner, screwdriver, and swabs. Happily it wasn't a wire messed up anywhere. The lights work fine now, though I do have one bulb out for sure that I need to pick up next time but it's just a rear marker light (the little one). I also found my WS6's car cover that was only used for a few weeks before when I lived in Florida before I moved. Since I no longer have that car the nice cover is now my Thunderbird's and it fits well. Hopefully that will cut down on the amount of crud this thing seems to attract here in the woods. You should have seen how much crud I cleaned out of that back glass after I removed the window trim there again.
(http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/803/carwash2.jpg)
Fresh and clean! No wax at all at the moment though. Still working on stuff. Will wax her later.
(http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6779/carwash1.jpg)
(http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9640/wheelsg.jpg)
Better shot to show these wheels. They tend to disappear in photos but you can actually see them in this one. Yeah yeah four lug, I know. I have no reason/need to upgrade at the moment. It's low priority for me. Engine and suspension is more important goal for now because those need attention. The four lugs on 5 spoke thing doesn't bother me, I usually forget about it and don't notice.
Now the bad:
(http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/316/surfacerust1.jpg)
Rust under that window trim. Luckily, I checked, it's not deep at all. Thankfully I'm going to get rid of it before it spreads.
(http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2121/passdoorbottomrust.jpg)
This spot seems to get everyone, and it's getting me too. It's somewhat spread up the inside of the door but its nothing I can't at least delay right now until I can do more drastic measures and put some metal there (if it even needs it). I will sand away what I see here and prime and paint it up. Will at least look nice for the summer.
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8425/enginebaybefore.jpg)
This isn't really a "bad" but it's the ugliest part of my car. I've never done anything at all to make it 'pretty' in here. It needs some scrubbing of the caked on filth and light rusty junk. I don't want to take anything out yet (like that valve cover that's pretty ugly) but I'm gonna try and make it look better with it in there first. I plan on a rebuild of this engine sometime after this summer (likely over the winter when I'm driving my 4x4 anyway). Many of these parts are being replaced anyhow so I don't want to overexert myself on the current mess. I will clean it very well, get rid of as much ugliness as I can, and lacquer it up a bit though. It wont look amazing in there anyway though with the little bit of blow by I'm getting no matter what I do, but I can try at least.
So yep.. painting the rest of the trim this week, cleaning up the engine bay, and making a run to the store to find some paint that CLOSELY matches whatever the heck this white paint is (it isn't stock, a custom paint job from previous owner like 12-15 years ago) and going to paint that front lower bumper/air dam and do some little touch ups here and there just to fill in chipped places in the paint with something other than..well.. a chipped place. Not too worried about the white paint. I just wanna hit up those rusty spots after I grind them away. It still looks half decent other than having chips in it here and there. I'll get the whole car repainted after it has a nice engine set up going on. ;) Need some more power (don't we always?).
It's looking really good man! Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
Okay, I've hit a snag today messing with the window trim. I need new dew wipes (already knew this). I can't remove all the trim without removing the dew wipes too. Simple enough. Well, I thought I'd just go ahead and remove the dew wipes.. well, I also see I have to remove the window run channel.. great.. now I've hit a problem. The problem? My passenger window motor recently died. Window is stuck up. Can't remove the run there until the motor is replaced. So.. can't proceed until I have the money for a new motor, install new motor, get the window down, remove all the parts, and can't really reinstall without making a mess without the new dew guards and new replacement parts so I have to wait to get those before I can remove the trim to paint it too. :beatyoass: So my $5 job turned into much more now.
- Window motor (I assume well over $100.. replaced a window motor in my WS6 and it was over $200)
- Dew guard replacements (like $30 total + shipping I think)
Another problem I foresee is that the dew guard replacement kit doesn't come with all the snaps and connectors. I highly doubt mine are going to be usable (another reason I am afraid to remove them at the moment) if they are anything like the back glass window trim's clips they wont be. Years ago I nearly lost the rear trim while going down the interstate from clips snapping due to age/rust (the little loose pieces). Luckily I noticed it before it completely came loose and placed it in my car and reinstalled when I got home. Since all but about 3 of the clips on the rear were broken (or lost on the interstate) I've used double sided 3m to attach it each time (which works for THAT, but it probably wouldn't for the dew guards). So, I'm kinda stuck at the moment. The trim looks pretty bad, and so are the dew guards. I wouldn't mind trying to work on the trim best I can with it on the car for now and redo it again later when I have the money to replace the window motor. Would at least look better than it does at the moment. I'll see what ugliness I can remove from the bottom portion of the dew guards (what's left of them haha) and try to clean it up enough I guess. I really hate to leave it the way it is right now because its quite embarrassing.
yep, just have to make do with what I can right now and move on. :D I know it's kinda py but I just can't afford a motor at the moment and I want to fix it right (mechanically). I'd hate to screw with it and get the window stuck in the down position. At least it is sealed up to the top good right now when the motor went out.
EDIT: Okay, I'm gonna wait until I can inspect things more. My power door lock on that door also just went out so I'm thinking its just connection issues. Moving on to other things until I figure that out.
Next up: fixing some weather stripping under the door. Fixing the rusty stuff on the door and in the back glass area and resealing that. Heading to town (45 minutes from here) right now with the car and going to see my buddy over at Autozone and see if I can match up some paint to that car and figure out what the heck that owner used on it, and pick up sealant/weatherstripping adhesive since I'm out and my other tube is dried up (doh). Plenty of stuff to fix on this car besides painting that trim for now. lol... Gonna cash in on a free lunch at Penn Station while I'm at it.
Window motor at the wrecking yard here is $15
Nice, no yards here with cars as old as mine though. They crush 'em. :punchballs:
I hopped on Rock Auto though, and much to my surprise it looks like I can get one for $30 or so. Motorcraft part is $63 or so after I return the core, but I think the other would be okay. I haven't checked all of the possibilities in the door yet but if it does turn out I need the motor its not a big deal afterall. Freakin' motor for the WS6 was over $200! :mad: Every car I've owned except my truck right now has had that same window die on me. :beatyoass:
So.. for updates sake:
Bought a little touch up bottle of some white duplicolour that almost matches (Ford Performance White) and some spray can of another colour that also almost matches (would have gotten Performance white again but no one in town had it in the new cans). I touched up every chip on the car I could find in the white paint. It's not wonderful... but at least its not a chip with dark showing through under it. Can't tell from far away. Again, not too worried about the white.
Bought some 3m weatherstripping adhesive since I was out and resealed some sagging stripping on the drivers door.
Degreased the engine bay with some very cool cleaner - spray it on with the engine hot, let it sit and smolder for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off. Got off to a good start for cleaning the engine bay tomorrow! Looks much better already!
Told a friend about this website. He has a Lincoln LSC for sale (wish I could buy it.. but I don't have the spare money for it). That car will run, it's pretty cool and sounds great. Told him to join here and put up a topic for it. Hopefully we'll see him here soon. Too bad he's selling it though.
I will eagerly await engine compartment pics :D
I'll take a pic of it like it is now, but I don't want to share until I've done some more scrubbing in there. :D
Ugh, have some new engine troubles today after a short 6 mile drive just poking along to go fill up with fuel before the prices get jacked up for the weekend. Posted some pics in the Engine forum...
anyway.. before I found that mess I check my mailbox, had mail, and wasted no time in opening it:
(http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5931/doordriv.jpg)
I have a cover on there again! :) Huge thank you to hypostang who sent that to me. MAD PROPS!
Now I just hope my 'bird is gonna be okay long enough to bring her to Owensboro. =\
I'm glad I could help :D
New window motor is installed! Had to get help with it. One set of hands trying to mess with that thing wasn't working very well. What an awkward part.. Doors all back together now and I celebrated being able to have both windows down again with a short cruise for a few miles to charge the battery back up to a better level after doors open so much lately. Car is parked and ready to have the valve cover gasket and PCV changed this week. Weather is not going to be very cooperative this week so I might be slow going. I want to pretty stuff up a bit when I've got things detached too so I'll be taking my time. Picking up those parts tomorrow sometime.
Now that the windows will both go down again I am ready to change those dew guards soon and am about to order those. I can finish painting the trim while I've got those off too. I am going camping over the weekend and I start college classes again next week so hopefully I find enough time to get everything looking better by the 19th (car cruise in). *crosses fingers for good weather*
Also have $400 now put aside toward future engine. :)
Cleaned up the engine bay today while replacing the valve cover gasket. Mainly fixed up the valve cover with some sanding and polishing. Cleaned other stuff as well and scrubbed off some rusty spots but not way I could fix it all today.
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6064/hoodup.jpg)
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8999/cleanedenginebay1.jpg)
Probably the best it has looked since I've owned it.
(EDIT: wow.. I need to paint that sway bar, that looks awful)
I think the engine compartment looks very nice. It looks like a well maintained car that the owner really cares about, but he is not interested in being too flashy about it.
Plans canceled. No more restoration will take place. End of thread.
So, what happened?
(noting similar posts in 3 different threads)
Huh!? Whats the deal! You were on a role with the car. Is everything OK? I was just going to offer up a finned coling tube to replace that straight tube from the turbo. More cool air, more boost. Worked great for me before I got my FMIC kit.
Sounds like you hit a bump in the road. Hope all is good.