Powerwashers will take bad paint off your car...

Jonathan

... and go right down to bare metal. Well, the paint was shot anyway, looks like I'm going to go searching for that glow-in-the dark paint I bought a while back.

Found it! Looks like I'll be doing some "touch-up" when the rain stops!

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Vulcan · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

You didn't did you? Shocked

I thought it was only brand-new Austin Princesses that did that! British craftsmanship you see. Best in the world. Rolling Eyes

Jonathan · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:01 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I did it. My Civic has been parked under a pine tree for just about as long as I've had it (only free space in the driveway) so the paint was looking pretty nasty. I couldn't get the black residue off it with washing, scrubbing, or even brake cleaner. The powerwasher did the trick, but as I was approaching the middle of the front fender, BAM! A hearty chunk of paint came flying off. Happened in a few other spots on the car too.

Oh well, looks like it's an excuse for putting on the new quarter panels and a repaint!

Vulcan · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

To get rid of crud from the paint I've tried using 'Gunk'. Don't know if you guys get it, it's an engine degreasant. There was white Gaak all over the hood of Cpt. Scarlet. Water & wax wouldn't shift it and the paintwork looked like it had vitaligo. The Gunk shifted most of it where turpentine and petrol had failed.

You need whole new quater panels? Thought yours weren't too bad? Crying or Very sad

Jonathan · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:

Meh, they're not too bad, but there's some rot in the wheel arches and behind the rear tires. I'm not sure if it would be easier to patch what's there or just put on new quarters. I'll let whoever is doing the bodywork decide what's going to be an easier/better job.

I got a set of rust-free quarters from a parts car out in Oregon, they're sitting down in my garage now. Just need time/money to get my body rust-free again! Well, that, and a patch in the driver's side fender. There was apparently a little rust hiding there that the powerwasher uncovered too....

Vulcan · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

If you're not doing the body work yourself you know what I'm going to say.

Watch 'em like a hawk.

Depending on where the rust is it may be easier to do a localised repair. It's rarely about how much rust there is but how visable it is and therefore how difficult it will be to effect an invisible repar.

Jonathan · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I know, I don't like sending bodywork out when I can't watch 'em do the work, but there's a few places around me that do good work. They just charge way too much for what they do, but it still is real good work.

I'm not sure whether I'm going to save up and have them do it, or find a different place that'll do it for less.

Vulcan · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject:

If you know the work's going to be up to scratch I'd say save up for it. You'll only have to rip it all out again if it goes pear-shaped. Sad

Jonathan · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

Well, I got some pricing and a decent place will charge about $1900 to put both quarters on, less if I do some of the stripping labor (which I'd be glad to do). Probably over the winter, it'll keep my car inside some of the time.

Also, the first coat of the glow-in-the dark stripe is drying now. I'll post pictures if I can get them to turn out halfway decent.

It's great when the paint on your car can't get any worse. You can do anything to it as an experiment and not care! I'm kinda eager to see how it turns out now Very Happy

Vulcan · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

Yeah, keeping the car inside's a good idea generally. Wink

BTW, saw a Chevelle over here at the weekend. Nice piece of kit. Cool