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Projects 1953 Chevy 4 door low budget build.

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by paintspill, Aug 15, 2015.

  1. lawman
    Joined: Sep 19, 2006
    Posts: 2,665

    lawman
    Member

    The 53 Chevy 4 door was my first car. Had 55 Buick hub caps, 59 Cadillac tail lights and "Dummy spot lights. Get some white walls on your car and "Slam the front !!! That was "in" back in my day and I'm 71 years old..
     
    MyCrustyVW and flux capacitor like this.
  2. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    The lowering and the white walls are in the future for sure. Once the funds are available.
     
    Mitchell de Moor and lawman like this.
  3. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    Mitchell de Moor and lawman like this.
  4. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    Thanks. I have the blocks already. Just want to get more bodywork done first.
     
  5. Good job to fix the rust and have some learning experience for your kids. Simple lowering blocks in back and cut springs in front will fix the ride height to be more mild custom. Have fun with it, seems your kids are catching the old car bug!
     
    lawman likes this.
  6. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    A set of skirts either with or without this stainless wouldnt be bad either, once you get a little further along.
    [​IMG]
     
    50 customcoupe and lawman like this.
  7. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    This is a little out of order but this is the repair I did on the light bezel. Was told it couldn't be welded and thanks to someone in a Facebook group that guided me through the process it turned out pretty good.
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440515704.015511.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440515819.265456.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440515883.955414.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1440516015.861063.jpg
     
  8. czuch az
    Joined: Dec 12, 2014
    Posts: 161

    czuch az

    Yup, Ya cant weld that stuff. Looks like a good job though.
    Its great to see the kids sanding and wanting to be involved.
    You KNOW those are the keys they'll want when they get their licence,,,,doncha.
     
    Merge likes this.
  9. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    Yeah my eldest has already put dibs on high school graduation.
     
    kiwijeff and czuch az like this.
  10. Great job getting the kids involved. We have a 4 door 53 bel air and my son loves that old car!
    I'm looking forward to seeing more.
     
  11. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    I really enjoyed reading this. Keep up the good work!
     
  12. So cool to get you're kids involved! Good luck on the rest of the build:cool:
     
  13. They say life begins at 40.
    Looks like your old car life is starting very well.
     
  14. Very Cool having your Kids involved keep up the good work and always remember to have FUN!! Jim
     
  15. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    It's great to see the use of safety protection. Eyes (and lungs) are great things to save for later.
     
  16. Any more info on how you did the light bezel! Great job so far!
     
    Fender1325 likes this.
  17. U-235
    Joined: Dec 18, 2010
    Posts: 452

    U-235
    Member

    . "Have to say I'm starting to get the hang of this. But am still super jealous of the work you guys do."

    Looks like to me you don't have to be jealous of any body....nice work.. Please save money to chrome those bumpers.
     
  18. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    (please note i'm no pro) the light bezels were done with aluminum brazing rods. there are ones advertized online but were quite pricey. these (the ones in the picture) were from a local hardware store. standard propane torch. i use the yellow cans. don't think it makes a difference though. make sure to to keep the metal clean with a wire brush or wire wheel on a grinder.once any parts are blackend the rod wont stick so its a lot of 'weld' clean 'weld' clean. the metal has a low melting point so its a delicate dance of heat, braze, clean, repeat. you can go on you tube and search "pot metal" (i had no idea thats what its called) i really hope this helps. someone was kind enough to walk me through it and i really want to pay it forward.
     
  19. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    im north of the border. we have a chain up here called princess auto. i got it from there. it was the cheapest i could find. it seems to be doing the job. havent had the chance to try it on thicker metal yet but looking forward to playing around. especially if i start welding on the frame.
     
  20. Fender1325
    Joined: Aug 31, 2014
    Posts: 729

    Fender1325

    If it doesn't run on atleast 220 then I wouldnt even gamble with any frame welding. (Not sure what power you have north of the border). I have a hobart handler 140 that runs off a standard 120 outlet and Id say its pushing it to get thorough penetration on 1/8" steel.

    Very cool about that pot metal headlight ring fix, I have a few areas like that on my 50 cad that need some loving and I'll definitely give it a shot!
     
  21. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,369

    Squablow
    Member

    I'm impressed with the pot metal welding. You're doing this car right, small projects, one bit at a time is the best way to do low budget, too many cars get torn down to nothing as the first step and never go any further.

    I'd be real tempted to put paint stripper on those bumpers and see if there's any plating left underneath. Even crap chrome would be better than none at all. I'd try the grille bar too. And the moulded grille surround is a good idea.
     
  22. Cool man thanks for all the good info! I'm always curious of different ways to do things!
     
  23. kustomitch
    Joined: Sep 2, 2015
    Posts: 323

    kustomitch
    Member
    from Monson MA

    nice start. keep at it
     
  24. richard price
    Joined: Aug 16, 2014
    Posts: 23

    richard price

    Lookin' good!, comin' along nicely; gotta gt some skirts on that old girl:)
     
  25. paintspill
    Joined: May 3, 2015
    Posts: 89

    paintspill

    This isn't an exciting update but I shot some primer on the back end. Bodywork is about 90% done (for a "rat rod" look ) nowhere near a show car but I'm having a blast. Engine is running good. Still haven't taken it for a drive. Waiting for a night that my dad can follow me with my truck and some tow ropes. Just wanted to share cause this group is just so awesome. More updates soon I hope. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1442540070.408576.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1442540091.543996.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1442540108.187556.jpg
     
  26. Psssst don't use the R word. :)
     
    BradinNC, Peanut 1959, LONG and 4 others like this.
  27. 39 Deluxe
    Joined: Nov 9, 2014
    Posts: 68

    39 Deluxe
    Member

    Nice work. I am sure envious of your sheet metal welding and patching skills. I can weld heavy metal but have not tried old rusty car body welding yet. With all the rust holes in my 52 Merc I really need to learn how.
     
  28. 'Mo
    Joined: Sep 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,432

    'Mo
    Member

    Might be time to double your pleasure!
    BLUEMEANIE did this one.

    [​IMG]
     
    54fierro, lawman and flux capacitor like this.
  29. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    So your gonna leave those headlight covers after fixing that bezel?
    ....and I couldnt hold myself back from simply getting most of that rust off the grille with a SOS pad.

    Sorry, seeing simple little fixes that could be done, eats at me:(..........:D
     
    Squablow likes this.

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