Restauration of my 1979 Pontiac Catalina Safari

Discussion in 'Station Wagon Projects' started by tenner21, Mar 9, 2019.

  1. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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  2. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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    Let's continue:

    After removing the side molding strips, I was awaited by the next shock:
    Rust behind the tape of the moldings. And it seems, that anybody had tried to fix this without professional experience...
    [​IMG]

    Looks not good...
    [​IMG]

    The other side of the trunk: Barely rust, but much putty...
    [​IMG]

    The painter had seen dents, that I havn't seen. Maybe these dents are a part of the production process - I don't know. But in case of restauration, I trusted him - the result could be better than the orignal state... ;)
    [​IMG]

    The rusty wholes in the sides are welded and covered with a slim trace of putty.
    [​IMG]

    Hm - looks like there are any monting pins missing...
    The black traces are rust converter.
    I'm sure, that I havn't removed so much of the original paint at the door locking pin...
    [​IMG]

    And - at that time, the worst a-pillar on drivers side has been pimed with putty.
    [​IMG]

    I don't know how it's called. It's about these end left and right from the windshield-frames, what are mounted to the top of the A-pillars...
    With a direct comparision, these parts looks both identical. Not like stock, just like practise ;) :D
    [​IMG]


    Best regards - Maik
     
  3. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Maik, It looks like the painter is making good progress. It's better to find surprises now and fix them than it is to find them latter on after the new paint has been applied.
     
  4. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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    You're right, you are so right!!! It was a just a little hard to see al the rust under the moldings and at the frames of the side windows. But it's Ok - the result counts...

    Best regards - Maik
     
  5. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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    Hello fans of LongRoofs... ;)

    the new EGR-Valve has arrived. Loogs great - an original part. The old one was damaged and hang fast.
    [​IMG]

    After painting with spray-putty (or injection spatula? I don't know), the new layer came up again with a lot of nasty crowfeeds. So he polished all newer and older paint completely away, so till the result looks like this:
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    Than the great moment, I could not wait:
    The whole body was primered with a layer of epoxy spatula.
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    And every dent or primed place has to be disappeared (but not away... ;) )
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    Best regards - Maik
     
  6. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Progress is looking good Maik. You must be getting excited.
     
  7. 60Mercman

    60Mercman Well-Known Member

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    That car is really going to be stunning. A very beautiful car in the making there Maik. Das auto ist seher Schoen!
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2019
  8. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Genau
    Seher schoen!
     
  9. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    had to reach into Google for this because I've forgotten so much of the German I learned:


    "Es wird ausgezeichnet sein, wenn Sie fertig sind."

    direct English translation:

    "It will be excellent, when you finish it."
     
  10. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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    LOL - you are a lot of very funny people :D :D :D
    Feels like I'm home... ;)

    Ok, let's continue:

    I was very surprised, as I got the message with these pictures, that my car got it's new paint.
    [​IMG]

    And in my mind I sayed: "Holy shiiit"... ;)
    [​IMG]

    I comparison to the original paint - whatever, pictures says more than words...
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    Next day Ivisit the painters lair ;) and coudn't resist to take some photos...
    [​IMG]

    By looking at the last photo, I know why you ever told me "Longroof rules"... ;)
    [​IMG]

    If I have to talk a little german, please tell me. But I think, german is in comparison to american englisch very hard


    Best regards - Maik
     
  11. 60Mercman

    60Mercman Well-Known Member

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    Maik, das ist gut genug. You can speak however you’d like. Your car is coming along beautifully. You’ll have the prettiest Pontiac in Germany. You’re also correct (richtig). There are some funny people here. SO WATCH OUT. Seriously this is a good forum. With an overall nice bunch of folks. We are all very excited about your Pontiac.
     
  12. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    The paint looks like it turned out fantastic. I can understand you being excited!
     
  13. KenBird

    KenBird Active Member

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    She looks real good. Can't wait to see it all together.
    Ken.
     
  14. tenner21

    tenner21 Member

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    Hello friends from the other side of the great ocean ;).

    At first: Thanks to all of you for your kindly replies. I'm very pleased.

    After moving to our new home, now I internet again. So I'm able to continue with this documentation...

    You remember to the damaged a-pillars left and right of the window frame? Than look at this pictures - I feel a little happy :D
    [​IMG]

    Looks like stock for a little ;)
    [​IMG]

    The A-pillar at drivers side...
    [​IMG]

    And below the Drip Rail ;) ;) ;) there are non more rusty traces to see.
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    Ok. The welded part inside of the Tail Light Frame was laminated... ;)
    [​IMG]

    Let's take a look to the doors... (Ok, one door ;) )
    [​IMG]


    Best regards - Maik
     
  15. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

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    Looks good Maik, you must be very pleased with how well it the project is going.
     
    60Mercman and tenner21 like this.

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