Hi all, My name is Dean, I am restoring a 1972 Olds Cutlass Wagon (Flat top) It has been a very trying project but so far I have been sticking with it. It was all original but rusty. All the usual rust for these cars. The worst places have been the winshield area, radiator support, front floors, spare tire well, doglegs, fenders, 3 of the 4 doors were replaced with doors that needed work too.And the tailgate I also replaced. The frame was decent, I spent a lot of time scraping off the rust and painting the frame. It has been a labor of love but it sure is turning out to need a lot of love. I bought this car over 8 years ago, before I knew about ebay and that I could buy one in better shape online. I am hoping to get it road worthy and get to the BIG northeast get together. I'm not sure about this because the fenders are being very difficult fitting back on properly. My front end is still off the car. Here are some pictures . . this is Phil .. he did all the welding and patching. , .. More pics in Restoration thread.
I'll let you know about that in another 2 weeks, dancing between the periods of rain, but after that trip with Andy to pick up his new love (very pretty Fairmont wagon), I think you're right. Welcome Dean, honest to goodness, you're gonna love that wagon. Every knuckle scrape becomes worth it. Getting rust off the smaller parts? 2 gallons of house-variety vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Soak overnight, wash off, dry, coat with rust paint, primer, then final coat. Cheap, and OH SO CLEAN. Even did my emergency brake cables - like new! All the screws, bolts, clips, underdash brackets! Works on aluminum corrosion too, but you have to clean the pieces off and use POR-15's Metal Ready stuff to 'alodine' (like rust protection) the pieces. Welcome home, pal, great place!
Thanks everyone. Getting rust off the smaller parts? 2 gallons of house-variety vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Soak overnight, wash off, dry, coat with rust paint, primer, then final coat. Cheap, and OH SO CLEAN. Even did my emergency brake cables - like new! All the screws, bolts, clips, underdash brackets! Works on aluminum corrosion too, but you have to clean the pieces off and use POR-15's Metal Ready stuff to 'alodine' (like rust protection) the pieces. Oh now you tell me :banghead3: I scraped it down and went strait on to POR-15 I would say, Hey,next time, but there ain't gonna be a next time This is the last resto I ever do.
You waited too long to join! I've got one more resto, and a custom 'real woodie' build up left in me. Then I'll hang up my vinegar bottle for good!
I've sworn against a lot of old tasks but I've only had 2 new cars out of my 71 cars since 1966. Love the hobby. This Fairmont Wagon resto has taken almost 2 years (since November 2006), but my wife wants one too. Another Fairmont Squire or an Escort Squire (same vintage), and I want to build a real woody. after I get the garage built: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1353 That'll give us enough cars to ride out old age.
