AAR#2 1) Please tell me your dad is a body shop guy who couldn't afford daycare for you in the early days, forced you to learn a trade at the age of 5 and you have 15 years experience at the start of this project (it would help me to feel better about my capabilities and ambition)
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I really wish that was the case here. The truth is i taught myself how to do things by browsing the web, buying the right tools, making mistakes and learning from them. I then landed a welding job which enhanced my skills with metal and welding. When it comes to body work and painting, i owe all of that to a local old timer who i would go to his place after high school and work on projects of his for free in exchange for knowledge.
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2) Does anyone help you think through your repairs at this point in your work (refer to Q1 above perhaps, or another mentor?)
No, I honestly spend countless hours thinking of the best and easiest approach to everything. A lot of thinking comes before cutting and then welding. I know the body of these cars inside and out which helps as well.
3) It appears the start car was more of a rolling Jig for you to get pickup points and a roadmap, how many pieces are really going to be the original car when your done? (maybe guess a percentage, and please dont read into this, it's really just a curiosity question)
This is very true, and no offense is taken. When the car is done, i would guess your looking at 10% of the original metal being present. In other words its going to be 90% new metal will last longer. I salvaged the original cowl and rad support, since it had the numbers on it, and the inner webbing of the vehicle.
Stevo427 The Primer that i use in the welding and structural areas that will be covered is 3M weld-thru 2. Its the best product that i have found. Easily welds, unlike others that are galvanizing compound, this does not spit and spatter and blow holes in the clean metal. Its also a corrosion resistant coating that is great in areas that are covered. You can get them in aerosals, but its not cheap about $20 a can.