So I found an issue when test fitting the tail light finishers. The gaps on either end were different

About a tenth of an inch different. So what I did was oval out the holes in the top edge of the panels so they can all shift to the right.

After that, the gaps were identical.

I also noticed something in the bumper indentions on either side.

The spot welds on the right side are nice and uniform

On the left side, not so much...

So I am assuming the ones on the left reflect the impact from a wreck on the rear of the car. The floor board shifted forward enough to pull all the spot welds forward and make them look pulled forward

This was the current status at the end of the weekend

 

Edited December 7, 20213 yr by Patcon

I also worked on the tail light panel some on the right side. I noticed it wasn't flat so I started messing with it and it was badly oil canned. So I worked on shrinking it.

 

 

 

I might could have made one video if I knew how to work my phone but I obviously don't

The area I tried to shrink got better but I couldn't get it right. So I eventually cut a relief cut and welded it up. That made it very acceptable. I may have over heated the first couple of spots and sometimes that makes it difficult to get it shrunk all the way down. It's also possible when I reinstalled the the tail light panel, I put that oil can in it and it just wouldn't shrink enough. I also don't have a shrinking hammer and dolly. That might have helped especially when you have it hot

1 hour ago, Patcon said:

This was the current status at the end of the weekend

 

So if you're spending that much time on the parts of the car you CAN'T see (once it's put back together), I can just imagine how the parts you CAN see are going to turn out!

I  can struggle with being obsessive. It makes me good at my job, but it can bog my projects down.

I keep telling myself I cant see the back of the car from the driver's seat and it doesn't matter. How's that working out? 🙂

Yeah, but my point is that even if you would get out of the driver's seat and walk around the back of the car you STILL can't see underneath the taillight panels and licence plate backing plate!!

The rest of the car better be just as good!

I read a story about Steve Jobs. When his engineers came to him with the first iPhone prototype Steve asked them what kind of screw they were using. He said he wanted stainless steel, they told him it would only add cost and no value to the the phone. He said something like “ but I’ll know they aren’t stainless”.
I too struggle with being obsessive and it helps me be good at my job but can bog me down to with personal projects. My old boss told me once, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”


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On 12/7/2021 at 10:27 AM, Captain Obvious said:

The rest of the car better be just as good!

Ohhh! Now you're adding pressure! 😉

If it's not, you and I will get a few beers and then we won't care. 🙂

Edited December 21, 20213 yr by Patcon

I use to be a perfectionist,  I have gotten older so I've grown out of that into the next closest thing! 🤣

17 hours ago, Patcon said:

I might could have made one video if I knew how to work my phone but I obviously don't

I'll bet one of your kids could show you how. 😁

1 hour ago, Patcon said:

you and I will get a few beers and then we won't care.

Done deal!! Looking forward to it!

And if someone else brings it up, try this... "I'm simply PRACTICING on the areas that don't show, so that by the time I get to the ones that DO show, I'll have it down pat."    

9 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

Yeah, but my point is that even if you would get out of the driver's seat and walk around the back of the car you STILL can't see underneath the taillight panels and licence plate backing plate!!

Are you saying that part won't be obvious, Captain?

The Captain's job is too point out the Obvious. That's what he gets paid to do

He is very good at his job!