Project Town Cruiser - body/paint

[monterey1962]

Since I need experience with bodywork and paint, I'm considering doing my '91 GM (a.k.a. the Town Cruiser) either this fall or next spring. All depends on funding and time. I have a lot to learn and do, but the knowledge I gain should be worth it. I really, really don't want S.U. to be my first restore project. When I do her bodywork, I want it done right the first time.

The '91 requires some rust repair. So far it all seems like surface rust. Pressed on the spots with a screwdriver and the metal is still solid. Need to fix a lot of hail damage, as well. The vinyl isn't all that bad. Just a few small cracks.

I'm open to suggestions on what to do with the car. I've been tossing a lot of ideas around in my head, but haven't come to a real firm decision. Lately, I've been thinking about a 1950's style theme. Something like the '56 Fairlanes. Should I keep it Rosewood? Slick top it? Change body and vinyl color? What color would you suggest?

Interior is a very dark Rosewood, so it would match a variety of exterior paints. Who knows where this will lead. Looking to keep the project affordable. This is the daily driver, so it just needs to be done right, not show car level.

LINK TO PIC

[cld783]

rip off the vinyl make it a slicktop, rip off all chrome trim except around windows, ditch the door bumpers/rubber strips and then repair all rust to have it repainted.

GET TO WORK.

[Grand Marquis GT]

That your mum's old car, right?

[monterey1962]

That your mum's old car, right?

Yes, it is.

[91LTDProject]

I think a rose quartz color slicktop would be interesting. Dont see to many that color in general, and never in a slick top. I;m with cld783, a cop car clone would look very good in that color imo. I'm picturing it in my head right now and liking it. Surface rust is fairly easy to deal with, I taught myself a-la internet and alot of guessing, but if you gotta cut out dead metal, then it gets difficult. I cant even imagine repairing hail damage, I would just find new body pieces depending on how severe it is, and then you still have the roof left.

[P72Ford]

I think a slick top would be nice. The color it is now is nice as well. However, respraying a car that color may be difficult (if you are doing it yourself). Metallic colors tend to "shaddow" if you are inexperienced.

Also, the hail damage is no big deal. Just make sure you know where all the dents are before you start. Once you start to sand, etc and the paint is no longer shiny, small dents get very difficult, if not impossible to see. You want to get them all.

If there is surface rust, I'd sand blast those spots and then evaluate. I've never done rot (rusted through) repair, so I have no experience with that. You'll need a welder though.

Good paint is expensive, and if you aren't keeping this a long time, you may not want to go that route.

Best of luck. Plan it out and take your time. Oh yeah... have fun too.

[gadget73]

Change the vinyl to same color cloth, nobody else has that. Too common to rip the vinyl off.

[Lincolnmania]

it's shiny.......leave it be!
get rid of the puny wheels mang.....it needs 16's or 17's lol

[monterey1962]

Sides are shiny with rust spots, but the top (hood, cab, and trunk) are shot. Clear coat is pretty much gone. And I like my 14's.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Change the vinyl to same color cloth, nobody else has that. Too common to rip the vinyl off.

Cloth and vinyl are teh fugly. Kill it.