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Projects Making a Cadillac Shine, 8 years in the making...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HotRodToomer, Jan 10, 2017.

  1. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    There has been positive, negative, adoring and flat out rude comments made about my cars look since day one.
    I've never REALLY cared, but at the the same time in the back of me head, "It does look like shit..."
    Not long after I got the car, a friend did a repaint and the roof and scallops for free. Came out great, just didn't last wit the car being in Michigan weather a lot. But I drove it like that close to 6 years. Since then I've rewired the car, gave it a new heart, transmission, brakes, tires and exhaust. But I left the bits you actually SEE mostly weathered and down.
    But no mo', Worked out a deal with my buddy Junebug to get the car back to beautiful.
    He's a pro with working with whats available to turn out a finish that's proper and lasting. Two weeks ago I dropped the car off at his house and we've made a little headway.
    The worst has been the car, it may be 97% there and clean, but nothing has really body-wise come apart in 60+ years so its been a lot of praying and time taking.
    But so far, this is the most intrusive work I'll have done on the poor thing. I'm a little worried what will be found, but more excited for the end result.
    The Fleetwood that got wrecked in my driveway thankfully donated it's rear bumper BEFORE it got crunched. and the hood from it most likely will be used to replace the original one that got crunched when the hood came up.

    STAY TUNED!
     

    Attached Files:

    Dave Mc, 41 GMC K-18, ls1yj and 3 others like this.
  2. Hdonlybob
    Joined: Feb 1, 2005
    Posts: 4,115

    Hdonlybob
    Member

    Didn't look like shit at all..
    But sure looks nicer now !!
     
    chryslerfan55 and HotRodToomer like this.
  3. Good Luck...looking forward to seeing the progress
     
    HotRodToomer likes this.
  4. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    I don't think they had a Cadillac in mind when that garage was designed. But keep at it, should be worthwhile.
     
    Bandit Billy and HotRodToomer like this.

  5. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

  6. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

    That caddy is cool
     
    HotRodToomer likes this.
  7. Love the car....extra large,well organized shop is a plus..LOL:p
     
    HotRodToomer likes this.
  8. Corvette Fever
    Joined: Feb 18, 2014
    Posts: 142

    Corvette Fever
    Member
    from Michigan

    HotRodToomer likes this.
  9. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,052

    wicarnut
    Member

    KOOL ! Like them old Caddy's.
     
    41 GMC K-18 and HotRodToomer like this.
  10. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    I agree, the garage is an issue. But, he's a great painter and we'll make the best of it. Especially with black being one of the colors!

    Sent from Casino security
     
  11. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    Progress has been slow, had a lot going on, so just a little progress since last.
    But I got over today to do some work and we had an flash of brilliance. It should be brighter in this garage! So after a few trips to home depo, a couple of sad times having to step on my car and one wicker cut from sheered steel edge. Its looking 100% better in there, which hopefully will make the whole job easier.
    Paint colors have been chosen, the areas pictured were the most feared for horrible once the trim came off. They are decent enough to save.

    So, lets hope continued good.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    A little crusty under that trim but doesn't look like anything that won't clean off. Be sure to get it really clean under there, and also, paint your trim clips on both sides before you reinstall the trim, even if they're new. Trapped dirt and water cause some of that rust, but the unpainted trim clips like to get rusty and make stains too, as I've come to find out.
     
    cretin likes this.
  13. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    Been a while, Daily driver Cadillac and work got in the way of progress.
    Currently, the paint is stripped, All 5 layers of it.
    Thankfully not a lot of bullshit was found. This is the first time I've explored what's up with the metal of the car. Its really not bad for a 60+ year old Michigan car. Few pin holes. The drivers door at the bottom front is flimsy. But overall, Its good news. My paint guy pulled a few of the dents out today. the impact on the drivers corner was oil-canned but, he got it right.
    Another pass on it with some 80 to get rid of the stubborn lacquer residue and a bit of sealer just to keep it from rusting. Then onward to bodywork!
    IMAG0446.jpg IMAG0476.jpg IMAG0477.jpg IMAG0480.jpg IMAG0487.jpg IMAG0488.jpg IMAG0489.jpg IMAG0490.jpg
     
  14. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    So a whole month later. Busy days and not a lot of work.
    The hood from the wrecked Fleetwood was used in place of my fly-up damaged one.
    The car has been stripped, D.A.'d and sealer coated to stop flash. I must say, I was quite surprised. It looked a lot worse then it was after stripping. But the original burgundy lacquer paint, that still covered about 95% of the car under 4 layers of primer, did a pretty good job at keeping it decent. Most of what little rust repair is all rot from the inside on troubled areas. (Dirt collection spots & such)
    So the fun part is next on the agenda, dent & hole repair. Thankfully my buddy, Junebug, knows his stuff and there will be a little lead work to get it back ship-shape.
    Door jambs still need to be cleaned & cut in. but they are for the most part fine. Door removal, New electric window kit. (The hydraulic system has been failing, junk lines & cylinders. The Seat will remain hydraulic) New glass as well hopefully, I've had the drivers rear busted in half since 2010.
    Paint colors are set at Black, White & Red. But actual paints, aside from the white, are not chosen yet.

    BTW I forgot to add the seats are getting done too. I had planned on doing them at a different time, but they were out...so...yeah. Red & black vinyl to replace the spray-dye ruined, sun baked original mole-hair dust bombs.

    Stay Tuned!
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Hot rod Tommer.I remember the story when your other caddy got wrecked in your drive way.Didn't you just bring that one home for parts? Bruce.
     
  16. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    I did, I was going to nabb the AC out of it and the hood, Plus a couple of trim pieces that were better then mine and sell it. Then that accident happened. Thankfully though it was that car and not MY fleetwood.
    The sacrificial Fleetwood.

    Sent from Casino security
     
  17. Some people just SHOULDNT be behind the wheel of a car!!!!Good luck with the old girl and take care.Bruce.
     
  18. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    Skim, D.A., block, repeat.
    For the past few months.
    But November 10th, hopefully, she'll be in the booth at work.
    Cleaning up mechanical bits and such, making the latches work wonderfully and getting the hood springs back in have been fun times.

    IMAG1195.jpg IMAG1160.jpg IMAG1079.jpg

    Stay tuned!
     
  19. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

  20. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    It looked great before....but its gonna look really sweet when done. Cant wait to see it.
     
  21. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    So after taking care of it the other day, the first of the last layers of primer have been sprayed.
    It looked stellar walking in today. In a few hours with a literal block party we got it smoothed over wonderfully. only a few tiny spots of trouble showed up, but they are easily fixed.
    It's going to be a whole different ship soon.

    Stay tuned!
    FB_IMG_1509676495438.jpg FB_IMG_1509676491427.jpg
    FB_IMG_1509676500242.jpg

    Sent from Casino security
     
    tb33anda3rd, 41 GMC K-18 and ls1yj like this.
  22. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    So the day has come.

    Finally finished blocking and getting it all right.
    went out to Fenton and dragged it back to Wixom to spray it at work.
    Thursday night, Friday, Saturday and 3/4's of Sunday it took to get it done.

    But just look at it.

    Paint came out wonderful, almost ZERO problems.
    Now it's sitting out in Battle Creek in storage for the winter, and I'll be polishing the ton of chrome & trim that came off of it.

    And yes, Im VERY happy.
    IMAG1247.jpg IMAG1248.jpg IMAG1249.jpg IMAG1251.jpg IMAG1253.jpg IMAG1256.jpg IMAG1259.jpg IMAG1261.jpg IMAG1263.jpg IMAG1264.jpg IMAG1265.jpg IMAG1266.jpg IMAG1267.jpg IMAG1268.jpg IMAG1269.jpg IMAG1270.jpg IMAG1271.jpg IMAG1272.jpg IMAG1274.jpg IMAG1276.jpg IMAG1277.jpg IMAG1279.jpg IMAG1281.jpg IMAG1283.jpg IMAG1288.jpg IMAG1290.jpg IMAG1291.jpg IMAG1292.jpg IMAG1293.jpg IMAG1294.jpg

    Stay Tuned!
     
    lippy, tb33anda3rd, Dave Mc and 7 others like this.
  23. KoolKat-57
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 3,073

    KoolKat-57
    Member
    from Dublin, OH

    ATTA BOY!
    KK
     
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  24. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    Here it'll sit till its time to make it on the long drive home.

    I don't care if it's going to be no side glass and that crappy lawn chair, I'm driving it across the mitten.

    IMAG1298.jpg IMAG1299.jpg

    Sent from Casino security
     
  25. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    Impressive work especially considering the lack of work space! Inspiring.
     
    HotRodToomer likes this.
  26. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,818

    BJR
    Member

    I am so glad to see shiney paint on a Cadillac, cuz flat black don't get it.
     
  27. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    So, some time has passed.
    Car sat in the garage a while while I caught up with life.
    Then it went across Michigan, again, to finally get the paint finished.
    Actually finished, completly.

    Still have to body match the dash and door tops. And get the clips and trim all in order.
    But, take a gander at my improved 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special.

    (It's still a little dirty and covered in compound in most of the pictures) IMAG1494.jpeg IMAG1495.jpeg FB_IMG_1566434694502.jpeg IMAG1508.jpeg IMAG1509.jpeg IMAG1510.jpeg IMAG1511.jpeg IMAG1513.jpeg IMAG1514.jpeg IMAG1515.jpeg IMAG1516.jpeg received_2443663322617611.jpeg FB_IMG_1566779738298.jpeg IMAG1604.jpeg

    Sent from my HTC6545LVW using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  28. Dave Mc
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 2,576

    Dave Mc
    Member

    IMG_1078.JPG < also been working a 53 Cad CDV long process , but worth it
     
  29. HotRodToomer
    Joined: Jun 25, 2006
    Posts: 857

    HotRodToomer
    Member

    Dave Mc and chryslerfan55 like this.
  30. blackanblue
    Joined: Feb 20, 2009
    Posts: 417

    blackanblue
    Member

    Big car big job big kudos to you, looks great.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.

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