Pilgrim's Progress

[Howard2x4x4]

Well, today started out fine, just fine. Had high hopes of getting a lot done, but learned (again) that haste can make waste. Thought it'd be a good day to do the White Gold base/clear on the rear fenders. The painting went almost as good as it could have gone, one small run that I wiped down and then re-sprayed.
and then re-sprayed. Not great, but good enuff.

Then came the clearcoat and it went pretty dad-gum good, considering my beginner status.


So, I figured I should keep the ball rollin' and try to get the Gingerale base/clear done also. Must be I ran out of gas, or karma, or mojo, or sumpin' because the paint and I were NOT on the same page. Runs and blotchyness, uneven color, etc. No big deal, I thought, I'll just try it again manana.

That'd been fine if it had ended there, BUT, no, it did not. To spray the second color, I had to mask off the first color, which was dry to the touch, but not to the plastic. I'm hoping that I can buff it smooth tomorrow. If there is one.

Eventually, I hope to get beyond the two steps forward, one step back stage.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Well, I'd say today was two steps forward. Much more gooder than yesterday, anyhow. Took my time, relaxed and focused on the present task and not the finish line. Painted the Gingerale on the back fenders and the rockers and also clearcoated them.


Was not even a little bit tempted to try the 50/50 mix that will be going in vacant mid area. Pondered on the next few steps instead. Kinda like a jigsaw puzzle.


Btw, any suggestions as to when the new wire harness should be installed?

 

[bronkenn]

Looking good Howard.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Love watching this rig come together. Lots of great progress coming out of beautiful West Michigan, Howard!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Thanks Ken, thanks LUBr LuvR. Sometimes ya progress forward, sometimes it goes backwards. Today it went sideways. Actually, yesterday I took it sideways. After a bit of pondering, I chose to slightly alter the shape of the 50/50 area.

Shown here in red and here in tape The change in shape did not really precipitate a sideways move,

but the results did. The previous shape and color shown through the 50/50 and a small run and scratches.

That's not so bad. I think tomorrow will be the trick. Howard in beautiful West Michigan.

 

[BronCowie]

Auto painting is an acquired skill Howard... and you're gittin' it dood. Keep at it!

Mark from beautiful Vancouver, Washington.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Thanks Mark, you are, no doubt, spot-on correct! Downside is that with the extravagant price of paint, an education is high cost. On a different note, prbably a good thing I'm trying to paint a Bronco and not trying to be a surgeon!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Yuppers! Tomorrow (today) was the trick! I'm thinkin' of an old Mammas and Pappas song, "Monday, Monday, so good to me...."

Hot-diggedy-dawg! Who said Mondays suck?

And just to besure I get my full nickels' worth.....

Howard in beautiful West Michigan

 

[BronCowie]

'Looks like more than a nickel from way out west here Howard!!!

 

[sprdv1]

LOL, mondays seem good for you

 

[Howard2x4x4]

So that was Monday. I thought about doing another 'intermission' because I knew the next pieces would not just fall into place easily. The painting is done (mostly), so I thought I'd putze with the tail lights.
I'm using tail lights from a Ford Edge and trimming them down a bit

to fit in this hole Hmmm, how'm I gonna do that?

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Yeah, how'm I gonna do that? I had put together lenses a while back, but a lense is a long way from a working tail light. Also, I wasn't very pleased with the mitered corners on the lenses, so I tried Plan B - heating the corners and making them round. Not too bad, but not good enuff. I also had cut and glue the reflective

body in a number of ways, plus I added an additional light socket. After a bunch finigalling, I think it can be accomplished.

Hope I didn't just jinx it. Funny how making a bit of progress makes me wish it was tomorrow!

 

[BronCowie]

I am speechless Howard... knockin it outta the park as usual!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Thanks Mark, I'm kinda livin' the dream here in beautiful West Michigan! My better 3/4 says she wants to ride in the Bronco, so she pushes me out the door whenever she can to go work on it at the barn. I sort of enjoy the roller coaster ride of "dang it, that won't work' contrasted with the "Eureka, I've found it'. My Gramma used to say, "I don't know what Heaven will be like, but it's gotta be a lot like this". Plus it's sorta keeping Ken alive!

Getting back to the program, take a good look at the large pic of the reflective body. Look at the top bulb compartment. That is the bulb socket I added. Look at the center bulb comparment. See that line? That's where I cut and spliced in order to make it fit. One of quite a few, I haven't counted them. And this wasn't a 'one and done' journey. I think I've bought six Ford Edge tail lights so far. Like they say, 'ya gotta break some eggs if ya wanna make an omelet.'

I really enjoy being on this site and hearing from all the wizards and poobahs here. Like you. You make the "Eureka, I've found it even better!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Oh, btw,
1. I hope to put orange bulbs in the top and bottom sockets and make them turn signals.
2. Looking at the large reflector pic, you can see in the White Gold color a 'Dang it, that won't work' occurance when the plastic screwed up the clear coat because I wasn't patient enuff.

 

[bronkenn]

Plus it's sorta keeping Ken alive!

" I was just telling my wife that the other day. I have accomplished everything I wanted except one...Thank you Howard!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

" I was just telling my wife that the other day. I have accomplished everything I wanted except one...Thank you Howard!

Perfect! And hilairious! Thanks Ken!

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Sneakin' up on it, inch by inch, step by step. In order to get some kind of consistancy, I made a high tech, very

scientific jig. Then to the band saw, where I had installed a state of the art rip

fence. Feed the piece slowly just because.

Yeah, that'll do, Pig. All's well that ends well. Wish it was tomorrow.

 

[BronCowie]

You may be giving Bad Chad Hiltz some competition here Howard.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

You may be giving Bad Chad Hiltz some competition here Howard.

Never met the man, Mark, and the name doesn't ring any bells. If he's ever near beautiful West Michigan, have him swing by. I'll put him to work.