Customs Wagon hunt may be OVER!!! 1952 DeSoto wagon is HOME!

It took me all day to get this much done. I made some mounts and frames for the parking lights, got them on, the grill in and bumpers on. I need to make some shims for the rear bumper, which doesn't quite fit the brackets I made. How I missed this during mock up before paint I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be difficult, just time consuming.
The idiot that screwed up my windshield installation initially said he'd reimburse me for the gasket he ruined, now he's arguing about his statement that it was his employee's fault that they cut the gasket and didn't lock the locking strip. He now is demanding I pay him gas money and time. We shall see, I'm out the money at at this point, it's just fun poking at him now.

 

I really like the taillights, and I “ fixed” the terribly pitted gravel guards with textured black paint.


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Yeah.... that wouldn't be happening.

 

Oh, trust me, it's NOT happening.

 

So, did you shoot the color with the HF gun or use something else?

 

I liked the salt flats better. Those caps are just too plain. Maybe a set of Caddy Sombreros would look better?

 

What would be more appropriate than shooting the worlds cheapest paint with the worlds cheapest gun? All kidding aside, this HF gun wasn't the $29.00 (I use than for primer with 1.2 tip) one, it was around $150, so I splurged...

The key to this result is hard work, not the gun. 800 gr., 1200, 1500, then 2000 purple pad, wet, with the DA, then machine buff, then machine polish, then hand glaze.

 

Thanks. Your wagon looks great. I’ve had real good luck with the HF purple gun on a couple of previous projects but the most recent project was disappointing and I’m trying to figure out why. It took a lot of color sanding to straighten it out. I’ve got one more to paint before I hang up my gun so I don’t want to spend a lot for a top of the line gun. Was your $150 gun still HF?

 

Yup. It's sort of purple/blue, but so is the super cheap one I use for primer. A little different shade of purple.

 

I have do some fiddling with the bumper mounts. It fits, but it doesn't FIT. Looks good though with the tailgate on and lights in!

 

Nice save on the gravel guards!

 

Yes, this is quite a transformation. Nice job.

 

Well, the windshield saga is almost complete. One of my buddies has a friend who’s got a glass shop nearby who came down yesterday and together we got the glass in. I bought ANOTHER gasket from Steele to replace one the first guys cut the locking strip loose on, but the new guy assured me he can repair it in place and would be be better than the (different style) gasket I’d bought.
So the glass is in, we got the trim on without too much difficulty on the driver’s side, and he’ll come back down later this week to fix the right side.
I feel good.
I just talked to the upholstery guy, he has everything done and will be here Wednesday to put the windlace and headliner in. He’s bringing the seats and door panels which I’ll install, as I have a couple things to finish up before they go in.
The end is in sight.


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In that case @flyinbrian48, wagons ho!!!!


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View attachment 5039758 View attachment 5039759

I started putting the trim back on, and what a chore. The little clips that should be spring steel seem to be mild steel. The little tangs that hold them to the body and the ones that then hold the trim on bend when removed, and each one has to be CAREFULLY reshaped in order stay in the body and to properly hold the trim. It’s very time consuming, but I managed to get the right side and tailgate trim on without scratches in the paint. Unusual for me.
This car has fought me at every turn, but I think I’m winning.


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You’re putting those crusty things on fresh paint?

 

I polished the stainless, which hides the crusty clips very well.


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Looks great, glad you got the glass going your way. But those tailgate hinges-oof.

 

Thing like that get real nice after 3 or 4 days soaking in Evaporust.

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Send me money for chrome if you don’t like them.


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This place might have some others you could use, maybe you've already checked..
https://www.hiltopautoparts.com/pro...1949-52-dodge-1949-54-desoto-chrysler-models/

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I don't know why, when I post photos from my iPhone, they show as loaded, but the post says "attatchment unavailable", and "You don't have permission to view this photo". Anyway, here are the two that were hidden of my belt line trim struggle. Todays challenge: try to find the box from Steele Rubber with the two packages of fender welt and rubber pads for door handles and taillights. I remember putting them away, somewhere, but I think they may have gotten tossed out with the trash from un-masking the car when I cleaned up the shop after painting.

 

I gave up. New fender welt and pads re-ordered. Of course now I'll fine them without even looking...

 

They will turn up, I just found a big block mopar that I had misplaced...

Yes I forgot about a big block


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Yep, been there, done that! Looking great Brian.

 

Have you considered painting the tailgate hinges body color?

 

How long has this build taken? It seems like it just flew together. And as to the hinges - my comment was directed to the folks at De Soto, not you.

 

Wow, what a wagon! Subtle, tasteful, well executed. Perfect!

 

They look like the hinges on the cooler behind the bar in the ancient tavern in our little town. ;-) It's been just over a year since I started. Longer than I thought it'd take, but 3 months last summer I spent on a big home remodel project, and built a new barn too. Busy, busy, busy.

 

Lost and Found update: The fender welting from Steele I found today, as I predicted. It was hiding under an unopened gallon can of Feather-Fill on the bench, along with the other rubber pads and stuff I bought with it. Sigh. Oh well, I needed more welting anyway for the gravel shield, and turns out I didn't buy the taillight pads, so it's all good. I made new door handle pads and got them all on, put all the rest of the belt line trim on, got the tailgate supports and lift springs on, and discovered I have misplaced one of the door lock cylinders.
Dammit.
It's got to be in the shop somewhere. Of course, if I find a replacement (I don't have a key for them or the glove box anyway), it'll immediately turn up in plain sight.