Project Town Cruiser

[monterey1962]

Figured I'd get my feet wet in body work, so I'm starting up on my '91 Grand Marquis (a.k.a. The Town Cruiser). I'm just plain old fashioned tired of looking at shitty clear coat. Things started a few weeks ago when I dyed the vinyl Landau Black. Link to Thread

Today I sanded down the roof. Just got in from laying down the primer and already realized I did the same mistake I did last year on the other car ... Sanded the roof with 80 grit (didn't go down to the metal) and didn't follow up with 180 grit before spraying primer. As you can see in the pic below, the scratches are showing through badly. I'm going to sand things out the best I can tomorrow, but will still lay down the paint even if it looks a bit crappy. This is mostly just for practice as everything is rattled canned this time around. Going to try a new color, Dark Cranberry Metallic. However, when I finally do get serious with the body repairs, it will be the factory color of Woodrose Metallic.

[Grand Marquis GT]

You got a DA sander, mang?

[monterey1962]

Yes.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Do finishing with 220 prior to the primer.

It werks

[monterey1962]

Wow, I screwed this one up. Don't even really feel like going in depth about it. Let's just say it was a learning experience. The new color is very beautiful, but my prep work is ... well ... bad. Shiny paint also revealed all the hail dents that weren't visible under the flaky clear coat.

Next time around, I'll make sure to plan more and take more time to complete it. This "quick do it over the weekend" shit gets old. Next time should be with my new paint guns instead of rattle cans. I hate rattle canning stuff.

[P72Ford]

I say finish with 320...220 is still a little harsh.


It doesn't look that bad either. Don't be so hard on yourself; from what I see it looks ok. I like the color too.

[monterey1962]

Some pics with the trim on. Scraped some paint off the A-pillar while putting the windshield chrome back on. The chrome is pretty messed up and won't sit right. Too tired to really care. Been going all day yesterday and today trying to get projects done and out of the way. Time, time, time.

[p71towny]

that color really compliments it well

[LTDMan83]

Just chalk it up to a learning experience. Nothing is ever done in vain, as long as you learn from the experience.


That really is a nice color, and the metal flake makes it "pop" that much more.


Oh, and I always finish bare metal with 220 prior to Primer. Almost any sealer primer will be able to fill the 220 scratches no problem. Then finish your primer with 320-400 prior to laying down the base coat.

[monterey1962]

Just chalk it up to a learning experience. Nothing is ever done in vain, as long as you learn from the experience.


That really is a nice color, and the metal flake makes it "pop" that much more.


Oh, and I always finish bare metal with 220 prior to Primer. Almost any sealer primer will be able to fill the 220 scratches no problem. Then finish your primer with 320-400 prior to laying down the base coat.

Thanks, man. At this point, I am going to change the car to the Dark Cranberry. Only two downsides to this ... 1. It changes my entire "theme" for the car; and, 2. I have to give up my Woodrose on this one. At least the '90 is Woodrose, so I can still get my fix.

When sanding with the 320-400, is that wet or dry? Debating if I can get away without pulling the front fenders. Pulling the doors is out of the question. It isn't going to be perfect, by any means, but I want it to look good.

[LTDMan83]

You can sand the Primer with 320-400 Wet or Dry, whichever you prefer. I prefer Wet sanding with 400 because it produces a much smoother finish in the end, as well as keeping the sandpaper clean(er) for a much longer time.

[monterey1962]

Well, I've got most of my tools and supplies ready to go. There's a gallon of Woodrose sitting here, along with all the other chemicals. Got fucked over and "lost" my facility to prep and paint the car. In a mad rush to find a new facility, now. Because of that, I've lost this three day weekend to work on the car. Who knows if it will even get done this year. Not happy, not happy at all.

[monterey1962]

For my own notes, plus or if you folks see anything I miss, let me know. I will continue to add to this as time goes on ...

Trim/Items to remove:

Hood:
Chrome Strip
Light and wiring

Header Panel:
Grille
Bezels
Headlights
Hood ornament

LF Fender:
Ditch light
Mud flap
Rubber strips (x2)
Chrome (wheel well, top rear corner)

RF Fender:
Ditch light
Mud flap
Rubber strips (x2)
Chrome (wheel well, top rear corner)
Antenna cap

Roof:
Chrome (windshield, doorway (x4), vinyl)

Misc:
Chrome (below doors (x2), lower strip on rear window)
Front bumper cowl

LF Door:
Rubber strip
Door handle (1/4" rivets)
Key lock
Chrome around glass (x4)

LR Door:
Rubber strip
Door handle (1/4" rivets)
Chrome around glass (x4)

LR Fender:
Chrome (wheel well, vinyl (x2))
Rubber strips (x2)
Mud flap
Fuel door

Rear End:
Tail lights
Corner pieces (x2)
Bumper cowl

Trunk:
Chrome strip
Lettering
Key lock
Carpeting
Light and lock wiring

RF Door:
Rubber strip
Door handle (1/4" rivets)
Key lock
Mirror
Chrome around glass (x4)

RR Door:
Rubber Strip
Door handle (1/4" rivets)
Chrome around glass (x4)

RR Fender:
Chrome (wheel well, vinyl (x2))
Rubber strips (x2)
Mud flap
-------------------------------------------------------

Replace:
Windshield chrome
Vinyl chrome on roof

-------------------------------------------------------

Grille and bezels:
Bezels - etched/painted as they are
Grille - original chrome with inserts etched/painted black

-------------------------------------------------------

14" steelies and hub caps:
Wheels - prep and paint black
Caps - clean and paint black fins

-------------------------------------------------------

Extras:
Switch 14's for snow tires/wheels
Remove door panels

[LTDMan83]

Got fucked over and "lost" my facility to prep and paint the car. In a mad rush to find a new facility, now.

Why did they kick you out of that small garage you were working in? Did they find out you were painting in there, and didn't like it or something?

[monterey1962]

Why did they kick you out of that small garage you were working in? Did they find out you were painting in there, and didn't like it or something?

Didn't get kicked out of the garage, but I still "lost" my work space, in a sense. With what I've heard from the ex-manager (great guy, knows a lot of automotive stuff), the new management is going around looking for reasons to kick people out. I'm forced to lay low with the automotive work until I find out otherwise. Four sets of management have come and gone in the eight years that I've lived here and not one person has had a problem with me working in the garage. Never a complaint from a single resident.

Was just going to prep the car a section at a time in this garage. Would have hung plastic and taken precautions to keep the place clean. Painting the car will have to take place in a larger space. It sucks. I could have gotten a lot done this weekend.