Ken's 280z Resto Thread

[ksechler]

Good progress. Are you gonna shoot another coat of primer before finish paint?

Yes, several.  The body work is far from finished.  I've done the "gross" filling.  I still have a lot of detail work to do.  Too many imperfections to list.  The goal in this phase was to get everything about right and under an etching primer.  I have a grey high build primer that will go on before the color coat.  I'm sure there are still some low spots and a lot of scratches and other minor blemishes to fix.  I'm not completely satisfied with the panel alignment either.  I can live without a perfect 5mm gap, but some panels are still higher or lower than their neighbors.  That I want to fix.  

 

I'll tell you all this sanding is breaking my back.  I woke up this morning and my left hip is sore as hell because I spent too long sitting on the floor working on the flares.  

 

I've made a couple of milestones, though.  No more rust repairs - they're done.  No more paint stripping - it's done.  Finishing the flares is the next goal and then perfecting the front valence and bumper fit. After that I don't know.  I might jam it out at that point.  The motor's being built so I'm trying to get a home ready for it.  Still so much to do...

[Patcon]

Still, great progress. I need to spend some time in the shop myself...

[ksechler]

I'm still woking on the fender flares.  I have to admit the holidays and a bit of car apathy slowed me down some.  I have fiberglassed the front flares and am doing the final bit of blending.  I'm struggling a little getting a good line where the flare meets the body.  If anyone can suggest some good techniques I'd be grateful.  I want a good consistent radius both where the flare meets the body and around the wheel that is free of high and low spots, but I haven't found a good blocking method yet.  I don't like my round durablock very much and because it rigid it can't create a consistent radius on a round flare.  

[Bonzi Lon]

I've used a piece of garden hose up to a plastic soda bottle with the lid on to retain the air and shape. 

Bonzi Lon

[ksechler]

10 hours ago, Bonzi Lon said:

I've used a piece of garden hose up to a plastic soda bottle with the lid on to retain the air and shape. 

Bonzi Lon

Thanks.  I like the garden hose idea.  Should be about the right size.

[ksechler]

I've been away for a little while...well I've still been lurking.

I'm making progress on the fender flares.  A lot of filling sanding, filling, sanding, etc.  I think I finally have the shape about how I want it.  There's still some detail work but this was more or less what I was after...

 

[ksechler]

I also took a break and painted the front calipers.  Here are some pics.

 

[Patcon]

Looks good as always

[ksechler]

1 hour ago, Patcon said:

Looks good as always

Thanks for the reply.  I was starting to feel like I was talking to myself.  :-)

 

[wheee!]

[Patcon]

I do that a lot. The conversation is always interesting and intelligent and I win all the arguments. What's the down side?

Oh yeah, that...

[rossiz]

is that por15 engine block paint? i used that on my L28 rebuild and was very happy with it - hadn't thought about using it elsewhere