Delivered my car to AutoKraft for body and paint

[XcYZ]

I guess you could call this day 1 for body and paint. It feels good to make it to this step, but when I got home and walked into my shop, it sure looked empty. lol I'm really looking forward to seeing it once Kurt at AutoKraft (http://www.autokraft.org/) works his magic on it. Kurt thought it would be at the media blaster within a week or so then the fun will begin.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/AutoKraft_day1.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/AutoKraft_day1a.jpg

[XcYZ]

In preparation of it heading to AutoKraft, I've been busting my ass prepping the bottom of the car. I sprayed it with SEM bedliner. It turned out fantastic, I couldn't be happier with it. The trunk will be getting the treatment as well after it gets back.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/SEMliner4.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/SEMliner3.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/SEMliner2.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/SEMliner1.jpg

[Rybar]

Scott, can you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet? :woot:

Looks good buddy, I like the liner. :thumbsup:

[70gotboost]

congrat's Scott!!! Any 'hint' as to the color(s) of choice or is it going to be a secret?

[XcYZ]

Thanks Ryan. I know the liner isn't exactly mirror under the car material, but it will be perfect for driving the hell out of it. :)

Kevin, for some reason, Theresa thinks it should be pink. :lol:

[Garage Dog 65]

Wondering where you'd been at lately - Liner looks good !

I wish I had paint - let alone blast off what looks like a great paint job - and do the second paint job you lucky guy !!

[907rs]

Great job, Scott. You know, it's all down hill from here.

[XcYZ]

Thanks Bill. It's going to be a long winter I'm afraid. lol

[Rybar]

Thanks Ryan. I know the liner isn't exactly mirror under the car material, but it will be perfect for driving the hell out of it. :)

Kevin, for some reason, Theresa thinks it should be pink. :lol:

You should paint it Candy Fuscia and add some Motion Super Coupe body mods.... :lol:

[Musclerodz]

At least it is in a reputable paint prison. :thumbsup:

mike

[lil427z]

scott, looks good . what is your color of choise for your 69.
rick k:thumbsup:

[Stuart Adams]

Congrats, going to awesome car when done.

[Steve1968LS2]

scott, looks good . what is your color of choise for your 69.
rick k:thumbsup:

I think he's still trying to decide :rofl:

[camcojb]

scott, looks good . what is your color of choise for your 69.
rick k:thumbsup:


if you know Scott you know there's one choice........................ :yes:

Jody

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Congrats Scott!

You know we like Body and Paint updates over here in Michigan! lol

Keep them coming!:thumbsup:

That SEM stuff is pretty sweet, I used it on the back side of my bumpers, Works great.

Paul

[Ummgawa]

Get it painted, and we'll all show up one Friday to Sunday and finish it. Steak and Adult beverages is all that we require.

[awr68]

Congrats my friend!! It will be home before you know it!!

[jimhamptons]

Congrats Scott. Looking forward to following its progress.

[B Schein]

Congrats on the progress.What are you going to do with the firewall

[J2SpeedandCustom]

Just think Scott you have to put it all back together...:rofl:

Can't wait to see the updates and progress!

[syborg tt]

cool cool cool

post some pics

[JohnnyGMachine]

Hey Scott, you know if you wanted to go down that retro 70's direction, I think you can get some of the prismatic tape you could run down the length of the car - put a set of Ansens on it and you're ready to go!

LOL - J

[XcYZ]

Congrats on the progress.What are you going to do with the firewall

Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

Brian, the firewall will be smoothed and I'm going to copy Paul Van Nus and have Kurt paint the firewall, inner fenderwells and core support a deep grey. I thought it looked fantastic in Paul's Nova.

[Steve Chryssos]

Glad to see this car going for paint. Congrats Scott.

[AAW]

Thanks Ryan. I know the liner isn't exactly mirror under the car material, but it will be perfect for driving the hell out of it. :)

Kevin, for some reason, Theresa thinks it should be pink. :lol:

What??? :_paranoid I think it's a good idea. ....... :P

[BC69]

A big step Scott! Great to see it going into the shop! The driving season this year is almost over anyway...so the timing is perfect for a long trip to the paint shop!

Tim

[Reckley]

Congrats Scott, I know you've waited a long time for this. It's good to see you make it to this point. I am sooooo jealous :bow:

Mike

[Autokraft]

Just picked up a couple gallons of hot pink from Home Depot for ya Scott. Should have it all rolled on this afternoon.:D

[61Bubbletop]

Congrats! Long time coming...and will be most definitely worth the wait!:lateral: :woot:

[Hdesign]

Looks awesome Scott, I think I'll be going the same route with the bedliner under the Nova.

[XcYZ]

Just picked up a couple gallons of hot pink from Home Depot for ya Scott. Should have it all rolled on this afternoon.:D

Well, as long as you don't paint it the Green Bay Packers color scheme with a big number 4 on the door... :lol:

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

Brian, the firewall will be smoothed and I'm going to copy Paul Van Nus and have Kurt paint the firewall, inner fenderwells and core support a deep grey. I thought it looked fantastic in Paul's Nova.


Thanks Scott,

That's going to look sweet! :woot:

Are you still thinking about putting in Bay Bars?

Paul

[XcYZ]

Thanks Scott,

That's going to look sweet! :woot:

Are you still thinking about putting in Bay Bars?

Paul

Yep, I had talked to Kurt about that. He has a bender and can do a bitchin job with it.

It's at the media blaster now:

[AAW]

Kurt and I have talked about your car at length, too, Scott. However, we have a slightly different vision of the finished product.

[Garage Dog 65]

LOL !!!!!

[907rs]

Kurt and I have talked about your car at length, too, Scott. However, we have a slightly different vision of the finished product.

You should really stay away from thet Kurt guy. He's a really bad influence!

[XcYZ]

The car is back from media blasting and it's in great shape. Kurt is as stoked as I am. There are a few really small issues, but it's going to need very little metal work.

Here are some random pics:

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/DSCF0271.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/DSCF0270.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/DSCF0276.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/DSCF0277.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/DSCF0273.jpg

[jack67rs]

stoked!!! My media blaster was afraid to call me. :_paranoid You lucked out!

[Speedster]

Scott... I really like the "metal" color you put on it. Very unique. :D

Bet you can't wait to get some color on that thing. In a good way - it's about time. Yeah buddy !!!

[buickfunnycar.com]

All-metal Scott...looking good!:thumbsup:

[Rybar]

There are a few really small issues, but it's going to need very little metal work.


That is the best news with these cars :thumbsup:

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Looks Great Scott! :thumbsup:


Paul

[907rs]

Right on, Scott. You'll have it back on the road in no time.

[Ricochet]

Nice to hear it is not full of rust or needing alot of metal work!!

You know Scott, I think Theresa is onto something. Pink will look great. Maybe you can get a second job working for as a rep for Mary Kay Cosmetics or something!! :lol: Anything is better than Red!!! :rofl:

Brent

[awr68]

Looks great! How did they protect the bottom while blasting...and did it work??

[Rick D]

Looks awsome Scott. Don't you just love a clean body I know I do :thumbsup:

[Payton King]

I have seen some ugly stuff after blasting...mainly my car 6 years ago.

[XcYZ]

Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

Not sure what Kurt will be working on next, maybe smoothing the firewall. Whatever he does, I'll be sure to post pics. :D

[syborg tt]

Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

Not sure what Kurt will be working on next, maybe smoothing the firewall. Whatever he does, I'll be sure to post pics. :D

Shocked at how solid the car looks - That's awesome

ps - "Firewall" please don't say those words outloud to me it kinda hurts !!

[Garage Dog 65]

ps - "Firewall" please don't say those words outloud to me it kinda hurts !!

Firewall, Firewall, Firewall.

Let's see - now how many times did you re-do that ....

Firewall

There, I think it was 4. :lol:

Scott, what 'issues' with the body - that's the cleanest metalwork after blasting I think I've ever seen. Unreal the condition of that body. U 1 lucky man !

[c.schulz]

Scott your very lucky about the body being so clean. Be sure to keep us posted.

Chris

[BC69]

Nice! Thats awesome the car came out so clean...you saved a million headaches right there!

[XcYZ]

Just a little update, Kurt finished welding up a few of the seams and filling trim and emblem holes. Once he finishes up smoothing the firewall, he will be priming it.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/prep1.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/prep2.jpg

[LateNight72]

Nice... :captain: :woot:

[TravisB]

Cool man.....it may not be much but its progress...and thats all that matters

[Garage Dog 65]

Looks great Scott !

I've only been here for a year, have you ever detailed the background for your car ? It's so clean with what looks like zero rust - it couldn't have come from the upper mid-west. Where did you get it and what's the back story ?

(or point me to a previous thread if you've already explained it)

Whatcha going to do with all the cash you're saving on body work ? Bling ?? Custom interior, dual turbo the LS7 :lol:

[907rs]

Right on, Scott. Looks like it was a cake walk for Kurt.

[awr68]

So did he weld up all the seams? Missing the red paint yet?

[XcYZ]

Tony, yep, I had Kurt weld up the seams. It will be red again soon. :D (and no, it won't be pink :lol: )


I've only been here for a year, have you ever detailed the background for your car ? It's so clean with what looks like zero rust - it couldn't have come from the upper mid-west. Where did you get it and what's the back story ?


It's an older restoration, it was completely re-done in '91 with new GM quarters, new trunk floor, some floor and rocker work. With all the stuff that I've done to it, I've never found a hint of rust, so I was hopefull that the body was in decent shape under the paint... but you just never know, ask Trush. lol I bought the car from a retired guy from Iowa that had babied it. He'd probably crap his pants if he saw it now. :D

[Ricochet]

Tony, yep, I had Kurt weld up the seams. It will be red again soon. :D (and no, it won't be pink :lol: )

I've never found a hint of rust, so I was hopefull that the body was in decent shape under the paint... but you just never know, ask Trush. lol I bought the car from a retired guy from Iowa that had babied it. He'd probably crap his pants if he saw it now. :D


What?? No Pink?? Come on Scott - where is your sense of adventure? Be different!! :lol: Forward progress is a beautiful thing. Looks great! No rust?? or Liquid Nails for that matter!! :rofl: If you guys know the story about Trush..That was funny!

Congrats Scott..Been along time coming!!

[68protouring454]

Just a little update, Kurt finished welding up a few of the seams and filling trim and emblem holes. Once he finishes up smoothing the firewall, he will be priming it.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/prep1.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/prep2.jpg
carefull smoothing seams like that and driving the car hard, fully welded or not, they have a tendency to crack.

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Looking Great Scott! :thumbsup:


Paul

[XcYZ]

carefull smoothing seams like that and driving the car hard, fully welded or not, they have a tendency to crack.

That's exactly why I left it to the experts at Autokraft. :thumbsup:

[AAW]

Tony, yep, I had Kurt weld up the seams. It will be red again soon. :D (and no, it won't be pink :lol: )
Wanna bet? :unibrow:

[XcYZ]

Here are a few random pictures as the latest update from Kurt at Autokraft. :thumbsup: They're going to start blocking it this week, so it's moving right along.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/gap2.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/primer2.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/10-9-07%20(4).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/10-9-07%20(5).jpg

[Stuart Adams]

Moving right along. :hail: :hail:

[awr68]

Kurts doing a great job! The next few weeks will be very exciting!!

[70gotboost]

It's going to be a very Merry Christmas at the Gulbranson household!!! :)

[Hdesign]

Looking great Scott....you must be pumped!

[Steve Firebird]

Looks good. From the few times I have talked to Kurt I can tell your car is in good hands. I will be watching your build. I have a clean 69 Firebird sitting here that needs a new home or a visit to a GOOD shop. Steve

[radrambler]

scott
your car body is in great shape....looks like your ahead of the game ....
its funny seeing the first pics of the body on the cart.most would say "why does it need repainted?"...guess pictures dont tell the details of paint...
is it gonna be the same color combo?

:thumbsup:
radrambler

[XcYZ]

Thanks Tom. The body was in good shape, but the paint wasn't. It looks good in pics although it had several issues.

Yep, same color and scheme. The only real changes on the outside will be the side mirrors, some of the trim removed, and I have an endura bumper for it.

[yell01]

carefull smoothing seams like that and driving the car hard, fully welded or not, they have a tendency to crack.
I had mine filled on my 69 too. If they're filled with lead they won't crack.:thumbsup:

[COYBILT]

that body looks like a great starting point especially for a east coast car/midwest car.

trust me the body work process is long but the end result is a rewarding feeling hard to describe, Hope all goes well with the car.

My car needed a new trunk floor,bottoms of the quarters, windshield channel, drivers floor, and quarter to rear cowl sections. MY car is a northern california car too.

[Steve1968LS2]

Good to see the progress on the car, it's gonna be one sweet ride!

[Ummgawa]

Wow Scott, looks like things are really coming together. Cool.

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Looking great Scott! :thumbsup:


Paul

[kwhizz]

Don'cha love it when the Plan comes together!!!............Looking "Great" Scott.........................Beale Street.......Beale Street.........LOL

Ken

[XcYZ]

Kurt got the front end all fitted up, along with the carbon fiber hood put in place. After Kurt worked a little metal magic on the header panel, everything fit great. I'm really stoked that the hood fits so well.

The core support is a crappy one he had laying around because the "good" core support from Rick's/Ecklers was a total piece of sh!t. I wasted my time on the phone with them, but that's a a story for another rant - I mean thread. If anyone has a used GM core support laying around, I'm looking for one.

Anyways, it's looking fantastic. I didn't give Kurt all the brackets for the endura bumper, so it's not quite fully installed.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment.jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(4).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(6).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(3).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(8).jpg

[XcYZ]

More detail shots.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(13).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(12).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(15).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/frontfitment%20(11).jpg

[camcojb]

looks great Scott. I wish I had Kurt on my side of the world, I'm struggling with this bodywork! :mad:

Jody

[Stuart Adams]

Looking great.

[XcYZ]

Thanks, I'm excited to see it with some color on it. :thumbsup:

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Sweeet! :thumbsup: Making great progress Scott!

Keep the updates coming :yes:

[Ricochet]

Kick ass Scott!! Looking killer!! :thumbsup: Adrenaline is starting to flow - huh??

Brent

[awr68]

Nice progress!! Looks like everything is fitting very well! Got to love those c/f hoods! Your car is going to be soooo bad ass!! Looks like your team is catching up to us!! I think this will be quite a Christmas for both of us!! :yes:

[Tom.A]

Looks great. Love the hood hinges also:thumbsup:

[redfire69]

Looks great!! Are you gonna leave the hood in natural CF? Merry Christmas indeed!

Ron

[kwhizz]

Look'in "Good".......................:thumbsup:

Ken

Repro Core Supports "SUCK"

[XcYZ]

Kurt is doing a lot of little things; metal work, sectioning, etc, on some of the body parts that will really make the difference. Obviously this is no Riddler or SMOY, but the fit and finish is going to be fantastic. :cheers:

[XcYZ]

Repro Core Supports "SUCK"

Yes they do, they suck almost as much as Rick's/Ecklers Customer Service. No wait, service shouldn't even be in that description.

[68protouring454]

scott, i know a guy that deals in alot of old camaro parts and new parts, what was the issue with the aftermarket one? i have had ok luck with them so far, anyway call phil at 207-946-5295, he probably has something.

[XcYZ]

Cool, thanks Jake.

The issue with the core support was that it's too 'tall' from the body mount to where the fender bolts on. Nothing would align right (fenders, brackets, etc) until he grabbed an old GM support that he had at the shop and tried it, then everything was perfect. Kurt said he's literally used over a dozen of the 'good' core supports from Rick's over the years and has never seen this problem before.

I called Rick's and told them about the issue and asked if we could just swap for another one and see if there was just an issue with this particular one that they had sent me. I was told that wasn't an option until I e-mailed them pictures of the front clip with the GM support installed AND pictures with their support installed. Yeah right, I'm paying X dollars an hour for work at Autokraft and like I'm going to waste Kurt's time by having him go to all that work for a $300 part. It would just be cheaper to just find a good used GM core support and be done with it.

It's not the end of the world, it's not an exotic part by any means, and isn't an expensive part, it's just the hoops that Rick's/Ecklers wanted us to jump through is ridiculous in my opinion. I've always used Rick's in the past and was MORE than happy with them. I guess it might have something to do with Ecklers.

[Doug Harden]

Coudn't you pull some critical dimensions (maybe even photograph them with the tape measure) and "prove" your point that way?

Rick's has been swallowed by the Eckler's 800# gorilla.....and that ain't a good thing.....

[XcYZ]

Coudn't you pull some critical dimensions (maybe even photograph them with the tape measure) and "prove" you point that way?

Rick's has been swallowed by the Eckler's 800# gorilla.....and that ain't a good thing.....

That's what I wanted to do, give them some measurements, but they kept putting me on hold and then coming back with what they wanted me to do.

Again, it's not like that the part is expensive, it was what they wanted us to do that really turned me off.

[Doug Harden]

So they loose even more potential customers because they piss you off instead of swapping the part.......genius.......

[XcYZ]

True...

But on a positive note, the car is really coming along fast. It might have some color sprayed on it before PRI. I'll keep bugging Kurt for pics. :D

[Rybar]

Looks awesome Scott, it's going to really come together when painted. Kurt looks like he is doing a great job. :thumbsup:

[awr68]

Haven't heard anything good about Rick's lately...I guess I placed my last order just in time!!

You think they would be aware that in the age of the web customer service is more important than ever...a few stories like this one on forums could kill a business!! They should have swapped the part out and or at least measured one at the shop for you. You didn't mention you have an aftermarket frame did you?

[camcojb]

You didn't mention you have an aftermarket frame did you?


if he did they would have blamed the frame. Thing is, a stock GM support was installed and all the sheetmetal lines up perfectly now; it's absolutely the repro part that is the issue.

Thing is, with 600000 hits a day on this site, their customer service efforts will really travel fast. Silly decision, some simple measurements could have solved the issue, but they want him to completely mock up all sheetmetal with both units and send pics to them......... :rolleyes:

Jody

[XcYZ]

Exactly, Jody. The sheetmetal fit great with the GM support, so the frame doesn't play into the equation.

I think Kurt was going to take some more pics, I'll post more when I get them. It's going to have color on it soon.

[awr68]

Scott are you still using Melono Red?

[XcYZ]

It's going to be extremely close to the color that it was before. (Theresa should be stepping in telling us to paint it pink at any moment. :lol: )

It's not Milano red, though. Looking at pics of cars with that color, it's slightly darker.

[907rs]

It's going to have color on it soon.

I feel for the paint guys on the board. I'm sure they feel a ton of pressure.

Kurt, can we see some color next week? :cheers:

[awr68]

It's not Milano red, though. Looking at pics of cars with that color, it's slightly darker.

I like that color a lot...but while in the Red faze last year I found that I liked Mercedes Mars Red better.

Going to be sweet, I'm very happy for you!! :cheers:

[Musclerodz]

The Ekler's debocale is all over the web already and I know at least one $50K plus a year account I am picking up because of it. :unibrow:

Car looks great, too bad the stripes are not going to be CF. :(

Mike

[jannes_z-28]

See, it got its first spray of pink :lol:


http://www.protouring.se/files/Scotts-pink-car.jpg


Jan

[Rybar]

See, it got its first spray of pink :lol:


http://www.protouring.se/files/Scotts-pink-car.jpg


Jan

Man Scott, that looks sweet! Now you just need some baby blue ralley stripes :lol:

[LateNight72]

See, it got its first spray of pink :lol:


http://www.protouring.se/files/Scotts-pink-car.jpg


Jan
http://bestsmileys.com/rainbow/3.gif http://bestsmileys.com/rainbow/3.gif http://bestsmileys.com/rainbow/3.gif

[XcYZ]

I knew that was coming, Jan. :lol:

You can photoshop it any color you want - I'm just so happy to be at this point with the car. :cheers:

[jannes_z-28]

I knew that was coming, Jan. :lol:

You can photoshop it any color you want - I'm just so happy to be at this point with the car. :cheers:

You should be happy man, you deserve it after all these years and a zillion changes of plans :thumbsup:

Jan

[rwhite692]

You should be happy man, you deserve it after all these years and a zillion changes of plans :thumbsup:

Jan


Scott? Change plans??? Nahhhh....:D

[buickfunnycar.com]

Looking great Scott,can't wait to see the updates.:yes:

[XcYZ]

Kurt finished blocking the car and it's now disassembled. He had Paul rebuild the door hinges so there's no slop and he will re-mount them to finish fitting the door bars with the Marquez door panels. Getting close, just had to share my enthusiasm! :D

Here's a random pic. I had Kurt bend the cross bar for a little extra room.

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/nov19%20(15).jpg

http://www.lateral-g.net/g69/project/body/nov19%20(11).jpg

[vinz68]

Nice touch on the cross bar:thumbsup:

[awr68]

Nice touch on the cross bar:thumbsup:
I agree with Vin, something I didn't consider since I'm height challenged!! :rolleyes:

[syborg tt]

looks really nice

?? no back seat ??

[murtah]

Eckler's C/S Dept is still making friends and influencing others? Shocking.

I wondered how long it would be before they jerked around with someone else on this site. I wonder if anyone here knows the inside of the Eckler's/Rick's deal. How many long time employees bailed when Eckler's took the reins. They are clearly stocking the Repo parts that have the most profit vice Rick's old practice of offering the best quality repro stuff. At any rate, they just colored the opinons of a couple thousand members of this site.

Car looks great, Scott. Glad to hear the CF hood fit well. I hope Anvil's has a similar fit. If I send you my address, could I trouble you for another SEMA CD?
Jim

[XcYZ]

If I send you my address, could I trouble you for another SEMA CD?
Jim

Hey Jim, of course. :thumbsup: PM or e-mail me your new address and I'll get that in the mail ASAP.

[redfire69]

Eckler's C/S Dept is still making friends and influencing others? Shocking.

I wondered how long it would be before they jerked around with someone else on this site. I wonder if anyone here knows the inside of the Eckler's/Rick's deal. How many long time employees bailed when Eckler's took the reins. They are clearly stocking the Repo parts that have the most profit vice Rick's old practice of offering the best quality repro stuff. At any rate, they just colored the opinons of a couple thousand members of this site...

What's up with Ricks and Ecklers? I've noticed Ricks site has been redesigned and it looks just like Ecklers... Thanks

[XcYZ]

Ecklers bought out Ricks. /Ricks customer service.

However, Jim Hall (Ummgawa) stepped up big time and helped me out by locating and shipping me a GM core support.

Jim, you are the man. :bow: Thanks so much.

[redfire69]

Thanks for the info, I've bought alota stuff from Ricks and not had any problems.... I just got the new goodmark rear package shelf from them because mine has multiple wholes cut in it. No problems with service or shipping..but I've not yet had to return anything. It seems that they should have taken the core support back if the measured height at the fender line was more than a stock piece (or if they could "find" a tape measure to see if others repos measured the same).

Ron