Finally, after nearly 2 months, got more chrome back. I think I got the 'Ferrari discount'. When I had the lug bolts done it seemed really cheap. This time when they saw the horseys the game was up; doubled the estimate once I shipped them the parts. Anyway, sure looks good. here's a pic of before and after. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dropped it off at the paint shop today. For some reason it was really a rush driving it across town with no interior, lights, windows, or anything. I even forgot to put the license plate back on, oops. Here's what i looked like when I left home. They say it should be done in a month or so. They said I can come check it out anytime so I'll try to post some intermediate pics as they work. As they're describing all that needs to be done I'm just thinking how glad I am I decided to have someone else do it, painting an entire car is just a ton of work. Oh, I decided to fill in the marker lights. If I hadn't done it now I would have always wished.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Too cool Jason. I hope someone got it on video with you driving down the road like that. Did you have the seat in or did you have a milk crate?
I just sat on the floor, still plenty high to see out. The doors were taped shut though since the latches are gone so I had to get in Dukes style. Sure got some strange looks climbing out that way at the paint shop. I planned to video the drive; got a new Panavise suction camera mount and then totally forgot. I'll try to remember on the way home. Got all the trim back today from powder coating, luckily they didn't lose anything. Here's a shot of a door trim and the reassembled ash tray w/ new chrome and new powder coat. it looks a little better than my previous rattle can refurb. Other than that I've just been ordering rubber window seals from all over creation. I guess I'm just cheap, I could get it all from one place if I didn't mind paying $500 each. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That makes me less likely to use them, just knowing they don't treat everyone fairly. You'd think they'd realize that word gets around. But, as you say, they do good work.
good call - had the front holes filled during a front end respray this winter and very happy with result. Looking forward to more pics from your project! Image Unavailable, Please Login
So the car's at the paint shop and most of the interior is at the upholstery shop. Don't read on if you're against DIY. From the 'what scares you' thread I realize that my car is now saleproof-good. I'm sure a Ferrari tech would be much more qualified, but here goes. It's really not that I don't have the money, for some strange reason, I really really enjoy doing this stuff. Recovered the parcel shelf w/ the factory wool stuff from Reoriginals. I used DAP Weldwood Contact cement. It came out great. I ordered some really high dollar spray glue for the headliner since it needs glue on both sides and has a lot higher probability of falling down, hopefully I'll have it done this week. Refurbed the power windows. Took everything apart, soaked it in citrus cleaner, installed new (supposedly more powerful motors), made new cables, and new lithium grease. Thanks Birdman for the 'how to'. I'm hoping that, black speed boxes, new switches, new wiring, new plugs, and new channel rubber will make them fast when I reinstall them. If not, I guess I'll have to get more exotic with the wiring. Fixed one of the kidney dash vents that had gotten a little sunburned. Started the clock restoration. Easy to take apart, cutting the new lens is a little tougher than I thought. Started the hood release housing refurb...more to come on that. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've been using 3 methods of parts cleaning while everything's taken apart. It's strangely satisfying to take 26 years of grease and dirt off these old parts. 1 Gunk parts dip for metal stuff. Great stuff 2 Citrus cleaner 3 Dishwasher for plastic parts if I can work it to be done when my wife's not here. She's probably wondering why I keep unloading the dishwasher during the day....
So far they've removed the rear glass, welded up and filled the marker lights, and started a little sanding on the checked front end. They also removed the black stuff around the windshield trim. I think it's going to work great to leave the windshield in. The last 1/8" or so of paint will get covered up by the new black stuff afterwards. Here's a few pics, I stopped by today to pickup the rear glass so I can remove the tint. Also dropped off the new rear window seal that I bought from Helmut. I think that seal is the first part I've bought for the car where I really honestly feel like I got a great deal. Thanks Helmut!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I removed the tint from the rear window today. It came off no problem, but the defroster strips look uneven on the inside. From the outside of the window, they're fine, nice constant brown, even lines. But, from the inside, they're a gold color and in some spots the gold isn't shiny. Maybe part of it came off with the tint? I'm not sure if the dull needs to be polished, or something painted on, or what...?? It's hard to show in pictures, but I attached a couple to show what I mean. It's quite a bit more noticable in person, it's going to bother me anytime I look out the rear window from inside because I'll know it's there. What can I do about it? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Paint's gone off the nose. all the metal exposed looks great so far. I got the new headliner spray glue in the mail today, I'm just too chicken to do it yet. Spraying it onto $250 worth of headliner is scary....I only get one chance. I'm doing some trials to try and determine if I should just spray it on the fiberglass side, or both. If I get it too thick on the wool material, it shows through. I can do a thin coat, but it's tough to get it even and not too thick. If I don't spray the material and just do one side, the bond is a lot weaker. Hmmmm... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Got up the nerve and did it. sprayed the goo generously on the fiberglass and very lightly on the material. Then DAP weldwood with a brush on the overhangs that wrap around. I hate projects like that where you have to get it right the first time. it looks great, no problems, but too stressful--I wouldn't do it again. I'd gladly pay someone else next time. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Went to see the car Friday, nothing much new, just a little more sanding on the front end and some work on the marker lights. I spent all weekend putting the window frames back together. Installed all the new rubber/ weatherstrip, and window channels. Polished the glass and reinstalled it into the newly coated frames. My brother made me a new clock face with his drill press. Thanks! This afternoon I'm going to the upholstery shop where supposedly the dash and seats are done. Maybe I'll have some more stuff to show later today. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Did you end up finding/replacing the rear quarter window gaskets, or did you re-use the old? I never was able to source a second gasket for mine.
I reused the old ones. They looked perfect in every way so I couldn't see replacing them. I gave them a thorough scrubbing and lathered them up with Shin Etsu grease....great stuff by the way. Here's some shots of the interior, visited the shop today. The seats are nearly done, just need the backs attached and the headrests finished. I absolutely cannot believe how nice the leather is. I wasn't sure if I'd feel like it was a waste since my old ones were pretty good. No, it was totally worth it, they're amazing. I don't even want to sit on them the leather is so nice. The pictures don't do it justice, but there's quite a difference from the redyed leather covers. GAAH even put the horse stamp into the headrest, I figured that would be gone. It's the last pic, not sure if you can see it or not. The dash was done, but they cut the stereo hole out. I really wanted it to look like the stereo had never been there so they're going to redo the center part. GAHH sent a GTS center console so they're still waiting on the proper leather kit for that. The door panels and carpet didn't look to have been started yet. They've got plenty of time, I'm sure it'll all be done well before the paint. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Do you have any picture of the detent mechanism for the headrests? My passenger side headrest doesn't stay in position, like the little detent ball or rod is gone. I'd like to know what the mechanism looks like of you have you seats apart.
The dash opening at the radio is correct from the factory, they fitted a vinyl covered blanking plate over that....
looks really nice! Just curious why you kept the 'unleaded fuel only' badge on the dash. Was looking at mine the other day and thought I'd get rid of it if and when the dash gets re-done. cheers
I have no idea how it works. Before I took them in I looked at the headrests for a while and couldn't see any means to move them. I pulled as hard as I could and they didn't budge. I'll try to take a picture next time I'm there oops. It sure looked like it was sewn, then cut out. I've seen one that isn't cut, that's how I want it to look. I had a block off plate before, if they can't get it to look right I'll use it again. I guess it never bothered me. I sure didn't tell them to get rid of it. I asked them specifically to make it look as much as possible just like stock when I brought it in, just with a more matte black than before. I guess it makes sense to get rid of it though, oh well, too late now.
They've done quite a bit of sanding, most of the car isn't going to the metal so I think it's nearly ready for primer. I have no idea why the lights aren't removed yet. I left 2 lights in the entire car when I drove it there and they've left them while sanding, I don't understand.... Here's a shot of the repaired bonnet release housing as well. Just needs some paint and it's done. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
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finished bonnet release with repaired plastic edge and new chrome. Here's a pic of before and after. clock is done and ready for reinstall with new face. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
