Kev's 1980 Resto

[kev]

I have wanted to get a restoration thread going for awhile but once I got my engine back from AR, I figured I had better post some pics. High comp. pistons, lightweight flywheel and crank pully. Lightened crankshaft. Hi-po head. Rebuild trans and new clutch of course. Special thanks to Csaba down at AR.











I am in the process of taking the car apart and getting it ready for some rust repair and eventually paint. Here is what she looks like right now.





Found this mouse nest...good thing I am taking it apart...



Spent 4 hours last week chiseling out old sound deading...not very fun but did uncover some rust.








Thinking about having the car sandblasted first before rust repair and paint...any suggestions or opinions on sandblasting? Worth the money?

[124JOE]

soda blasting neturalizes rust ive heard
to install new metal your cutting out all the rust and welding "you can screw it temp."


man that new drivetrain looks good

[vandor]

Dunno, I heard that you'll be getting sand out of every crevice for years... I think if you are not going to totally disassemble it then do not blast it.

[azruss]

I agree with Csaba. The big issue is when you go to paint you will be guaranteed to get sand in your paint

[kev]

I guess I have heard that before, about sand getting everywhere. What is the best for prep work then, before I send it to a shop? Should I sand it down to bare metal? The paint now is pretty well gone. I have a few more rust spots a shop will have to get out as I don't have access to a welder. I also have a few dings, dents and the front fender on top is creased from a pipe or something falling on it....previous owner.
I also want to remove the side trim from the car, does it just pop straight off?

[kev]

Also I wanted to link this. Suede door panels I made.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21758

[kev]

Well, after a long wait due to unforseen events...I am finally back at my restoration. I have been stripping the paint completely off and after that it is on to the under coating... not very fun stuff but I am glad to be back to working on the old car. I will get some pics up soon of the body.

[SoFlaFiat]

I hadn't seen those door cards before, nice work Kev!!
Glad to hear you are back to working on it!!

[kev]

I have the front two quarter panels done and the trunk lid..Still need to sand down the doors, hood, and the rear. Then I can get to the undercoating



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After some sanding....



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[juvius]

I was looking at your garage floor. Where's all the dust from taking the paint off. Are you chemical stripping? My garage is so damned dusty I can't stand it. Once I get my fenders on I'm going to roll the car and tool box out and pressure wash it....

Looks like you are making pretty good progress though. At the rate youre going you'll have your car done and painted before I even have my doors hung.... Nice work

[kev]

I am sanding it down with my drill and an attachment...you can see it in the bottom right corner of one of the pictures. As for the dust, I feel like it is always all over me...ha. I can push the car around on the wheel dollys I have, which you can see in the pictures. I just pull it out of the garage a bit to sand on it. Plus it is extremely windy in Nebraska...which helps carry the dust onto my adjacent subaru.

[SoFlaFiat]

Nice progress Kev!!
Soon you will have the worst behind you!! The stripping paint and cleaning crud just plain sucks!!
Keep it up!!