First of the Texas Twins, First Build Options

[Puebloswatcop]

After sanding out the first coat, I found I still had some pretty deep low spots in the seam, so I put on a second coat. I am using Evercoat Rage Optex filler.. It nice because it starts out pink and then as it hardens turns a green color. Not that I am in a hurry to start sanding, but it lets me know when its ready....

[Puebloswatcop]

After about 10 minutes...

[Puebloswatcop]

First coat of filler on the front fender....starting to take shape.

[Puebloswatcop]

After the initial sanding of the second coat on the rear fender, I am much happier with the contour....

[9146C]

Looks really good Kevin! I remember this part caused me a lot of frustration to try to get it right. I recall it wasn't until after the 3rd coat of primer that I was happy with it. Not trying to discourage you...it's all about patience.

One thing that worked well for me...on the contour areas, I hand-sanded using sandpaper wrapped around a foot long section of 2" PVC. While sanding, I just rotated the PVC "block" to the contour.

The other key for me...maybe I'm just getting old and my eyes aren't what they used to be...rolling my car into natural light (outdoors) helped to easily see imperfections after I thought I was "done" (with single color primer applied for visual contrast).

When you pay a bodyshop to do this, remember the difference between a quality job and a "Maaco job" is the time spent in prep.

Keep up the good work...it's coming together nicely!

[Puebloswatcop]

Looks really good Kevin! I remember this part caused me a lot of frustration to try to get it right. I recall it wasn't until after the 3rd coat of primer that I was happy with it. Not trying to discourage you...it's all about patience.

One thing that worked well for me...on the contour areas, I hand-sanded using sandpaper wrapped around a foot long section of 2" PVC. While sanding, I just rotated the PVC "block" to the contour.

The other key for me...maybe I'm just getting old and my eyes aren't what they used to be...rolling my car into natural light (outdoors) helped to easily see imperfections after I thought I was "done" (with single color primer applied for visual contrast).

When you pay a bodyshop to do this, remember the difference between a quality job and a "Maaco job" is the time spent in prep.

Keep up the good work...it's coming together nicely!

Thanks Rob, Not discouraging at all. In fact encouraging. I never liked doing bodywork before but I am actually enjoying it at this point. I knew this part was going to be the most challenging, blending in the flares, but I feel I am up to the challenge and am learning allot along the way. I'm certainly going for the quality and have plenty of time. When I get frustrated I just stop, have a beer and then move along....I love retirement....lol

[Puebloswatcop]

Today I decided to concentrate on the right rear fender...I started off by identifying the more obvious low spots and sanding off any old existing paint. Some of the paint was original but some was very chalky looking and I think it had been painted later in its life with very cheap paint, so all traces of green had to go.

[Puebloswatcop]

That included all traces of green from the door handle area, what a PIA. All had to be done by hand because of the tight confines, so about an hour of sanding....

[Puebloswatcop]

The entire rear panel was stripped down to bare metal or good solid primer...

[Puebloswatcop]

I addressed the obvious low spots and did a thin fill coat of body filler to those areas as well as building the contour of the flares.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then sanded this until the dings, dents and contours were to my liking....
Tomorrow it will be on to a complete skim coat of the fender.....

[914Sixer]

Looking good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[oldie914]

Work looks good but I recommend you drape a couple of painter drop cloths over the boxes stored against the wall. Will save you a lot of dust clean up later.

[Puebloswatcop]

Today the goal was to get the rear fender skimmed out and sanded. An early start made it fairly comfortable, before the heat hit.

I got the skim coat on and then started sanding....

[Puebloswatcop]

Still some sanding left to do, but the wife reminded me it was laundry day and our dryer vents into the garage...crap. Oh well, I am happy with the progress and just decided to go inside and do a few other things that need doing.

[Puebloswatcop]

So since I can't work in the garage I moved to the kitchen table....I am lucky that my wife lets me work there as long as I cover the table and I am working on new / clean parts. So rear brakes were on the agenda.

[Puebloswatcop]

I started by laing out all of the hard parts, and then layed out the parts from the rebuild kit from PMB Brakes....

[Puebloswatcop]

Once I confirmed I had all of my parts it was time for the build process. Now, this isn't my first brake re-build, but it has been awhile. So I reviewed the most awesome rear brake rebuild video on You Tube, again posted by Eric Shea at PMB Brakes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm_DnizKOZM , If you have never done a brake build but want to give it a shot, or just need to refresh your skills I highly recommend this video.

One thing to note is all of the internal parts do need to be lubricated, so I use Permatex ceramic extreme brake parts lube for all the internals.

[Puebloswatcop]

Since the e-brake arms and caliper bodies had all been re-plated I checked to insure the fit was good with no binding...It was perfect, so I lubed up the e-brake arm and installed it.

[Puebloswatcop]

Then I had to install the retaining ring for the e-brake arm. I tried pushing it in but it kept giving me problems. Then I remembered I had a special pair of ring pliers that are actually for installing the ring on the snout of the crank....but hey... a ring is a ring...just much smaller. They worked like a charm.