Saved from the Demo Derby: 1990 Country Squire

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Definitely watching this for the end result.

If you're considering on coming back to the wood grain, what's the plans for dressing up the trim surrounds?

[Tiggie]

Definitely watching this for the end result.

If you're considering on coming back to the wood grain, what's the plans for dressing up the trim surrounds?

First thought was a tan paint. Second was the possibility of a vinyl wrap company to see what they can do with it. Other thoughts include a hand painted woodgrain effect similar to what they did on 30's cars interior trim. I've done some but would need to practice more. I'm concerned the different pieces might shade differently. A Facebook group member mentioned hydrographic film. Haven't looked into that at all but it is apparently an option.

I hope so. It's much easier to go steel side but the wood grain is something I really like.
When you get to that stage, I'd be interested in how you go about making it happen (vinyl wrap, supplier, etc.) in case I actually get to the same point someday.

I'm 80% planning on putting the woodgrain back. The other option would be a two tone, probably in burgundy to match the guts (on the original white). The trim staying for sure - likely polished aluminum if tutone. But that's all just an idea. I don't mind woodgrain. If I get it done and don't like the car, I can always sell it for a steelside car. The woodgrain certainly adds something unique.

[gadget73]

Ford's white paint was single stage. It also seems very prone to chips, not sure if that is related.

[Tiggie]

Pondering about making a weekly update to this thread. Don't hold me to it.

Rubber wheel arrived. Woodgrain removal progressing faster now. Notes for anyone that cares: if woodgrain is good, park the car in the sun and get a heat gun and it comes off easily. If the woodgrain is bad, get the rubber wheel. I think it is going to take three to do one side.

Took some more trim off. Have progressed a bit more since these pics but will save that for next weeks update.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Where the woodgrain was cracked and exposing the paint underneath to the elements, is that just dirt lines or is it actually deeply etched from that?

[Tiggie]

Where the woodgrain was cracked and exposing the paint underneath to the elements, is that just dirt lines or is it actually deeply etched from that?

Not 100% sure yet. I think it's hardened glue and dirt. I have some glue remover to use yet: I'll update once I try some of that. If it is into the paint, it's not very deep.

[87gtVIC]

Rubber wheels are so damn handy. I have used them a number of times but never to the extant you are going to be but have found they lasted more than I would have thought.

[Tiggie]

Lots of stuff came up this week that kept me from making adequate progress.
Rocker panel moldings removed; no broken clips. Drivers side door panels removed. Front driver door woodgrain stripped. Rear drivers side door handle removed. Yup, woodgrain underneath. Going to leave the others on for a bit, as I want to pull some addition trim around the rear windows and give this thing a bath to get that black moss junk out of there.

Going to try to get eyes on a hood. This one has a depression on the front edge and I hate body filler in hoods.

[Tiggie]

Tried to be busy this week.

Woodgrain is off everything but the front fenders. Glue remains... a project for this week. Have some glue remover that seems very promising.

Tailgate trim off.

Also finished removing the door panels to remove the side mirrors and exterior door handles.

Went on a quest or two for a hood. Quest 1 was a parts car; hood was bad (as was likely most everything else, sitting since 2008). Quest 2 involved a junkyard but the car was MIA.

Dad came over today. He said he throught the hood was okay. We looked it over and I noticed the darn header panel was high, not the hood low. It's either been tweaked or was made incorrectly. It functioned but made the hood look low on the front right edge. I stashed a header panel several years back. Tried that one and it seems fixed. So the hood is fine. Didn't plan on a header panel swap but that beats buying a hood.

Moral of the story. Keep a header panel in stock.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Considering all the tolerances when these cars were built, there's no telling if it was wrong day one or if someone bumped something. At least the replacement panel lined up properly.

Progress is looking real good!

[87gtVIC]

Done now, but curious if there would have been enough material on the existing header panel to shape it to fit via sanding?

Did all of those fasteners behave themselves up in the fenders when trying to remove the nuts or did some want to back out with the header panel thus sandwiching the flange between the fenders and header panel?

[Tiggie]

Header panel hardware cooperated, thankfully. Not sure if it could be shaved down... probably. I'm throwing it in the attic where the blue one came from, because a slightly tweaked header panel is better than one that is in pieces (hopefully the need never arises).

Stripping glue today. What a job. Screw vinyl woodgrain. That said, I don't like the way this car looks without it.

Found some evidence of "quality is job 1". This dent lives under undamaged trim. So it had to be there from day 1. I'm leaving it!

[gadget73]

agree on funky production tolerances. These things often had shims in various places to make it all fit together. Once in a while it requires serious abuse to make it go. I had to let mine get backed into by a crackpot in a full size Dodge van in order to get the driver's door to have proper panel gaps and close correctly. Best guess is that tweaked the frame or the A pillar back to where it actually belonged after a weld repair on the frame tweaked it where it didn't belong. Don't know, don't care, the door shuts nice now.

[Tiggie]

Finally all the woodgrain and glue are gone. Gave it a bath today with some Dawn dish soap and some Brillo pads.

Next job is to get the rear bumper off and the plastics around it. I think that will finish disassembly.

Found another reason the left quarter drop off has some rust. Previously thought it was from the filler neck seal on the fender well side, and it probably is. But also someone forgot a screw. I believe it was left off at the factory...

[Mainemantom]

WOW look at that wide white wall tire.
Your wagon looks much better