1970 Nova....

[bs46488]

Finally got the replacement tail panel installed.

I think I'll (finally) spray some primer this coming weekend.

[jmking9]

Looking good! I love novas

[bs46488]

Spraying primer is always a satisfying feeling...

[bs46488]

Here is a before and after of the windshield repair/metal work.

A couple small metal patches welded in, grind down the welds, cover in epoxy.

[rjs53]

Just stumbled onto one of your posts and saw the thread. I had a 72, did the same kind of work to it. I did a minitub and fit a 275\60\15 on an 8" wheel no problems. I wish I still had that car. Yours is looking great! Post more as you go. Great job so far.

[bs46488]

Made a little progress over the weekend......High build primer.

Going to have to block sand a few times to get some straight panels.

[bs46488]

Still slowly plugging away with the paint. Right now over 75% of the car is in high build ready to start block sanding.

1) The doors were in horrible shape. Ended up skim coating the whole door, then sanding most of it off. Now back in high build. First time doing that and its not as easy as it sounds.
2) DA 80 grit on hood
3) Epoxy Primer
4) 2k High build to start the block sanding

[bs46488]

Got the body work done on the Nova.

My paint didn't come out 100%. Not sure how much I am to blame vs cheap paint/low quality paint gun. I got a section of fish eyes. The solid white paint has mottling. A couple of huge runs in the base coat. And I would say my paint gun "sputters" paint drops, not the fine mist I see others paint.

Also after hours and hours of body work, I'm not in love with my color choice. Any opinions on colors for the Nova?

When I go out into the garage I say "it looks good" but I don't say "Damn, that looks good!"

Any ways, on to the pics:

Final wet sand:



Fresh paint:

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work! It is hard to pick a color if you don't have one set in your head already IMO. I'd almost leave it white and add a yenko look a like stripe or some thing to make it different.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice work! It is hard to pick a color if you don't have one set in your head already IMO. I'd almost leave it white and add a yenko look a like stripe or some thing to make it different.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[rjs53]

Times two on the Yenko stripe. I did that with my 72. Painted silver then added the stripe. I think white with the stripe would be sweet.

[bs46488]

So I'm a beginner when it comes to paint and body work. This car required a lot of body work to get it looking decent. But I'm happy with how the body panels are turning out. Unfortunately I've learned some bigger lessons about the painting part of the equation.

This past week I've been working hard to get everything painted and on the car so that I could clean up all the body parts laying around the garage and shed.

Painted the doors so I could mount them on the car and load my paint "booth" with the front end. It was late in the evening when I mounted the doors and noticed this....No way around it, this door is a completely different color:



Front end still in the booth:



The first car I painted was my C10 and I went with metallic gray. I learned all the common problems about rookies painting with dark metallics (tiger stripes, mottling, flaws in the body work, etc) So I went with Arctic White because of the forgiving qualities of the color. Thinking that I could panel paint/touch up any issues that arrive. I had to order a 2nd gallon of paint to finish the job and you can clearly see the rear was painted on the 1st batch and doors and front end are painted on the 2nd.

I reached out to the company and they said that their paint is mixed and batches and there can be some differences in the final color. But since mine was so drastic they are sending a replacement gallon of paint. I think that was very great of them....but unfortunately I guess I'm sanding the whole car for a repaint.

I've toyed with the idea of some sort of vinyl wrap/decal on the rear quarter to see if I can trick the eye to not notice the color difference (as bad). At least that way I can finish the car and drive it for a few years before having to repaint it.

[mongocanfly]

Well that sucks.....I'm always leary of panel painting.....but I see the pros do it all the time.....

[bs46488]

Got all the panels mounted on the car. Still need to mess with the fitment on the hood and fenders.

[Lokin4AReason]

its coming along nicely .... keep those update(s) coming

[mongocanfly]

are my eyes messing with me or is the door still a shade different from the body?

[bs46488]

Got a call from the upholstery guy that my seats were done. I am very pleased with the outcome.

I need to get some dynomat down on the floor before the carpet goes in. Then I'll mount these back in the car.

[grndcont]

Lookin good!

[bs46488]

Looks like I'm overdue for an update.

I've driven down the street but haven't gotten it on the road yet. Still need to wire up the dash and cooling fans, then I'll drive it.

$20 worth of vinyl wrap to fix my paint mix-match. Front and rear glass (and trim) installed, carpet and bucket seats installed so I can drive it around the cul-de-sac

[SCOTI]

Lookin' good!

[mongocanfly]

That turned out great...

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks good.

[KShortell]

I like it! The vinyl fits and is genius.

[Clyde65]

Love it!