Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

You make this metal work so easy. It looks like the quarter panels and deck lid fit good. What company makes them and how do you like them? Are they the oem thickness?

You have a cute little helper!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Yikes, I can't think of a single person I know that would do this job, and I know a lot of car and body guys. ust curious, what is that tool on the bench in front of your helper? Looks like a multi sheetmetal fab deal, but would like to know more.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Wow. That's all I can say. You are basically building the car from scratch. Stunning. I'm glad I came over here to look. Please continue to post lots of pictures!:metal:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Most of the metal is from DII, everything fits ok, there will have to be some fixes if Mike wants it, but otherwise it will be ok for a driver. I would probaly put another 150 hours into the gaps and everything if it was mine, but I am a perfectionist!! my bad. The thickness is close to OEM, you will never find a actual OEM thickness panel anymore. different metals and....... but close. And thanks, she is my little angel!

Yah, up here I do not know anyone that would take this job on, nor did Mike, that is kinda why I am doing it, I felt bad for him. oh well. it is what it is. It will all be good once done. That tool is a roller, break, and a shear all in one. it does 20 gauge metal and CAn JUST do 18. works of for what it is for sure. got it at Princess Auto, kinda like your guys Harbour freight.

LOL, Thanks! Yah I am basically building the car from scratch, not much there at all. I will post lots of pics no worries there. And I am glad you came over for a peek also!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

This guy is really lucky to have you building this car!!! NICE NICE NICE JOB!! I picked up a 68 camaro and cant wait to play this year:metal:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Thankyou!! I really appreciate that! They are super nice cars, I love them.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Every time I look at old Camaros now your build threads come to mind. I was headed out the other day and passed a fella's house (as I often do) that has a couple nice 79-81 model Camaros and noticed this early 70's model on a car dolly, and man this thing is a total rust pile, since I don't know him or have never talked with him I surely don't know his plans for the cars. Now before when I would see something like this though I would have thought, hmm, maybe, you never know, I could probably do something with that someday. But now I know some things I never even realized before, and thats just how deep rust really goes, and the extremes you must go to really make it right. Man you are awesome and very dedicated to your abilities, and it's a joy to go through your threads. And thanks to you and others like you on this site we all become wiser in choosing our new projects. Thanks for being here, and thanks for posting in great detail all your hard work.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Thank you and your kind words, I really really enjoy what I do, and I have always thought that if I could pass on just a bit of my knowledge I would. This forum helps in doing that and I feel great inside when I can help someone out. I may not have all the time in the owrld to devote to everyone, but I try. ANy one can do it, all it takes is alot of time and patience.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Got Back out to the garage tonite for a couple of hours, had to make up these pieces here that go in between the inner and outer rockers at the rear. They are made of galvanized steel so the rust does not attack them as quick. well that was not the case here! These pieces you cannot buy either from any Camaro outlet store! they have to be made, I have yet to see a set in production, I may be wrong although............. Oh and my new helper TORQUE, my Alaskan Malamute, my wife got him for my B-Day. He was a stray, they found him wandering the fields, and such a great temperment on him, jsut sits and watches, only 3 months old.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I like malamutes. Good dogs. Nice job on the replacement parts. Time to make up a few sets and put them on ebay.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Killer looking parts James. I still marvel at your skill brother. I'm digging the new dog. He looks like he belongs behind a dog sled or just hanging in the garage:)
Quick questions, I noticed on the Yenko, you covered the whole panels with filler then sanded it to where you could see the metal almost everwhere. 1.) did you apply filler over epoxy primer? 2.) is it necessary to shoot epoxy first? 3.) can you epoxy primer over the filler?

My thinking, if I epoxy prime the whole cab first that's great it's all sealed but when I apply any filler I'm going to have to sand all those areas again and there will be high spots that are bare metal. Why not just clean up the metal; filler, then primer? This epoxy primer is new to me. We always just used high build primer. thanks

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Good morning, you are right I did cover the entire panel with mud, the reason behind this is because when you start sanding it, you will get a complete flat surface, no ridges or crowns or lows to deal with, one shot sally we will say. As for the epozy it is best to spray it, let it dry, sand it with 80 grit, er I should say rough it up. once this is done you then apply your filler. Yes there will be high spots and breakthroughs. but just finish your mud work and then re-epoxy. once epoxied again just sand and then add a high build primer. The epoxy just seals the metal from any future rust issues. I like using it when the weather is not nice and the humidity is high, this way you know that your metal will not rust. A bit of advice is to actually pour some epoxy in your crevices and let it work its way out, this seals all areas. Honestly, I spray my epoxy after the mudwork is done. I know it is good either way, but in my opinion it jusrt wastes product. but if you have concers with surface rust before you can get to your mudwork or the piece has to sit a long time, then I would suggest spraying it.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

He does appear to be a really good dog. Never thought of that, but it would be a good idea for the parts replacements!!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I find our "northern" climate is more forgiving in regards to having to epoxy bare steel RIGHT NOW!! like they do on the telly in higher humid parts down south. I did a GTX that we "dipped" and it sat bare for 2 months as I replaced 60% of it, it didn't start to rust at all, but that time frame allowed me to see the caustic bath that was neutralized seep out of all the seems and panel overlaps! I'll never have a car dipped again!
Are you keeping any type of hour log? Alot of people might be interested in how long this actually takes.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Thanks James. That's what I was looking for. I trying to avoid wasting product. I plan on doing the epoxy primer as soon as I get the filler work done so there shouldn't be any rust issues. Rock on with this thing. More pictures.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Great work on those patch panels! I agree, build a few sets and sell them! Your dog looks so cool! Congrats, that was an awesome B-day present!


On the spraying primer then applying mud, have you ever had some areas where you couldn't get the bondo to stick to the primer? I had this happen when I stated the cab work on my Longhorn. I'm just going to blame the cheap garbage primer I got from the clown off CL. He claimed it was dupont epoxy, but I'm thinking it was wally world or some other garbage. :lol:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Inner Braces:

http://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/u...351#Post203351

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Nice work and great dog!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I agree with you Tony about the dipping, never ever again will I do it, and I agree with the epoxy, we don't have to do it like down there in the states. And of course I am keeping a hour log on the build silly! lol. Just like you do, top drawer of my tool box.

Thanks and I will, just got a terrible cold this week, off from work. body is killing me.

I have not come across that situation. could be the primer you were using thou.

LOL, some one beat me to them, but mine ar nicer, lol. kidding

Same to you! I envy your work, I think you are very tallented and always check in on your builds. even thou I do not say much. I am quite jealous of your work.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Wow....You have some serious skills. Doing a project like this takes some dedication..:chevy:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I would like to know how many hours it takes to do an average rust bucket Camaro compared to this one?

Get well soon. :chevy:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

James man you are one crazy mother.... Keep Up The Good Work!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Got a bit more done, outer right rocker welded on, tubs and rt rear frame rail all in!!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

A few more

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

And a major blunder!!!!!!!! lol. I reached for my weld thru primer that was on the welded, it slipped out of my hands and landed on a sharp point of my visegrips, well you see the shrapnel from the pics!!!!!!! oops

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

So that's U-POL zinc? Have you tried the copper?
Sure gives nice access to grind trunk floor welds like this...no?

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

OUCH! that stuff is too expensive to loose like that. Total waste. You sure make this car building look easy. More pictures.....

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I use the copper all the time, but mike picked u the since for me, so this was actually a blessing in disguise! Hehe. And I sure do have some very nice access for grinding welds.

lol,ok, ok. I will try for more. I noticed my camera is starting to take fuzzy pics,might be time for a new shop camera. The stuff is about 25 dollars. So not that bad.
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Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I can't see the part you would like to save.. Wheels maybe? I would give this thing a toe tag. Bless you for giving this a shot. That new shell sounds nice. Paint it and the rest is just bolt on parts. Sounds like a real SOLID decision.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

I agree, but I am always willing to bring life back to the dead!! hehe

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Well went out tonite for a bit and got the left inner rocker and outer rocker welded onto the car, sry no pics, forgot camera card. more tomorrow thou!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Arrg! no pictures....... we'll wait:chevy:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

MAD SKILLS MAN!!! Keep up the good work.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Any updates?:metal:

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Hey guys, been pretty busy finishing up a few other things around the house and also repairing my 05, has some mechanical issues to sort out. Anyways there is some updates but no pics yet. I got all of the inner tubs and inner qtrs welded together, so as of now I would say 80% of the rear inner structure is complete, the left qtr is on the car in the correct position. I gotta take the rt one back off and finish behind it then it can get put on for good. I will try to get some pics in the next few days. Sorry guys. got wrapped up in a few things. Trying to get the house in order for another Reno!! argh!! lol. oh well.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Well I have been out in the garage for a bit again. I got all the inner structure in the car almost, She sure is getting solid!!!! Once that was done I got the quaters in place and screwed them down forthe last time. I have epoxied in behind the panels on the metal aas I have been going. Once this was all done, I got the roof set in place and checked it for fitment. Unfortunately it did not fid 100%. It fit quite well around all of the edges but on the back pillars it bubbled really really bad. So I had to slice the roof to get rid of the bubble. Nothing big, but something that I did not want to do. Oh well.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

So the roof is finally on!! welded solid and about half of the Qtrs are welded on. Feels good and it looks like a car once again. Now I just need to talk to the owner andwe will be set!! It is not perfect, but it is solid!

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Never thought this shell could be made whole again. Looks like where the roof meets the rear pillar at the window opening, that it is pinched down a bit. Will that effect how the glass fits or do you have more work to do in that area.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

wow james, good job man.

Re: Project "SWISS CHEESE" the 68 Camaro
 

Awesome work as always James! More details on how you sectioned the roof to remove the wrinkle? Is this common with these roof panels? I need to change mine on my 68. it had a vinyl roof cover:(