Yellow #8217 Ongoing Improvements

[Speedyshel]

Hey hey!
I've been restoring this original 1969 2000. I had been meaning to start an album for the past year, but just haven't gotten the courage to deal with uploading pictures haha. I picked the car up just over a year ago (April 4, 2010) and got right to work. It had been sitting outside for a few years and the tires had rotted. Sadly they were the original tires I believe. 175SR14s. I pressure washed it when it arrived home, sprayed off the engine bay, and gutted the entire interior the first day. I decided I wanted to do a frame off and set my heart to it. While working two jobs and school, I managed to find time to progress steadily with it. I stripped the trimming off the body and removed the body from the chassis to begin the resto. I uploaded my log on how to do that here: http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
I have taken SO MANY pictures since I began that it would be quite a long thing to write in detail here....sorry for my procrastination. I'm about ready to place the body back on the chassis, so I'll have to add pictures bit by bit...as it's too daunting to add that many right now. So, with that said, I'll catch this up to speed and keep you updated with progress as I make my way to my first "restored" car.
Expect pictures soon!

Edit: Here's the album where I've posted some of the many pics I have taken. http://www.flickr.com/photos/61986249@N ... 639986464/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Speedyshel]

Here's the album for the resto progress: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61986249@N ... 546773254/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[notoptoy]

You've really been moving along it's looking great! Nice documentation too!

[zippy67roadster]

Looks great. I love that you were not afraid to spray it yourself. Keep the pics coming!!

[Alvin]

great resto photos!
kudos for painting the engine bay body color!

[Linda]

Sheldon,
What paint did you use?
Nice pics showing the resto.

Linda

[Datsunz]

Great work. Makes me want to go a little further with mine. Thanks!!!

[Speedyshel]

Thank you all! It's really encouraging to have the support. I have yet to drive the thing. I own three and can't say I've been for a drive yet. But it's soon soon soon!
Linda, I used Eastwood's Epoxy Primer Grey and then I shot the color with their Electric Yellow 3:1 Single Stage Urethane paint. I've found it's the simplest and most straightforward to use as I'm definitely a novice at this kind of thing. It's my first car to paint ever....and no runs!! Just need to buff and polish now, but I'm waiting til I am finished getting in and out of the car doing the interior.
I'll post more pics soon!

[MSmethers]

My lessons learned; If the red glazing putty I see in the pictures is lacquer based (no mixing required) I hope you gave it plenty of time to do it's shrinking prior to final prime/sanding. I've seen that stuff shrink waaay back. Carefull on the cut and buff, the single stage paints don't build a very thick clearcoat. The paint basically separates after spraying and the clear rises to the surface. If you have to wet sand any spots (dust nibs etc.) Start with 1000 grit and only take off what's necessary. Don't try to remove all the orange peel. If you sand through the thin clear coat, you'll be repainting that panel.

From one "home sprayer" to another, great job, looks fantastic and very straight. Now the fun starts. Final assembly (without scratching that beautiful paint).

[Speedyshel]

Thanks for the advice! Yea I used the epoxy putty to fill in slightly larger low spots. The lacquer putty I mainly used to fill in very minor pinholes that I couldn't see before the first coat of primer went on. I sanded almost all the putty back off and only left what was in those pinholes (after a good amount of time to dry). You're right and I did notice it shrunk in some spots at first and that's when I decided to go with the two-part putty for larger low spots after block sanding. The yellow was sprayed (3 coats) and then the coverage was not quite what I wanted on the grey primer. So I ordered a new gallon and scuffed the gloss on the paint and sprayed more yellow on it after. So I'm hoping 5 or 6 coats (minus what was "scuffed" off in removing the gloss) is a good layer to sand. The scuffing the gloss actually got rid of lots of orange peel and to my surprise there really isn't much orange peel at all. I was really pleased considering it was my first car painted.
But I really didn't know that about the clear rising upward, makes sense for sure.

Now for the bad news, I just wish the trees in my yard took your advice about not scratching the beautiful paint. These storms that passed through Alabama (which I'm assuming most are aware of) gave the car a beating. My back yard was the home of an F3 tornado for a short moment. Fortunately the Roadster got no where near what my brother's car got. I think this time I'll take the car to a body shop. They're best at dealing with this stuff. Apart from that, the car went for a drive up and down the street today. Brakes bled and all. My other black Datsun which would be my next small project is now my second parts car. It took a 40 ft maple tree across the hood diagonally.
But as for my current resto, I'm going to refinish the original rims and then install them and install seats and all, then it's just the interior left.
Well, just a small update, I'll keep them coming!

Here's a few pics btw:

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[MSmethers]

Dude, that sux. On the bright side, you'll get some more bodywork and spraying practice in.

[notoptoy]

Bummer on the damage, but thank goodness that was "all" the damage you got!

[dbrick]

Sorry to hear about the damage, but at least it was cars not people in your case. For future reference, Haggerty will insure a car under restoration, or even the regular coverage is not expensive.

[Speedyshel]

Yup you are all correct. It's not fun having to "start over" on some things, but it's definitely mild in comparison to what many are enduring right now. My family and I are real blessed! And yup, even more practice ;D
You make a great point and I really think I'll snatch up that insurance asap. I was looking at insurance from Hagerty the night before the storm hit - not expecting I would need it so soon. I think I'll do that, thanks for the tip!

[Speedyshel]

Went to the body shop and got a quote to fix my two fenders, my hood, and my door and it was about $850. So I'm going to do the fenders myself and let the pros handle the big issues. Maybe more realistically affordable for me then. So, for now, I'm back to square one doing body work. Almost got my cooling issue worked out (getting a new overflow tank cap) and then it's more drivable! Right now it's just out the driveway and back in. So, I'll keep you posted. For now, here's a pic of it's current state just before sanding begins:
Before: refinishing:
Before polishing:
Side-rear shot:
Rear with trim added (some tail lights not finished):