The Vandal. 1957 "Big glass" 3100 restomod.

[59chev]

Beautiful! What brand of paint did you use?

[Jason 56]

Coming along nice. It’s going to look killer!

[BIGglaSS]

Originally Posted by 59chev

Beautiful! What brand of paint did you use?

Southern Polyurethanes. (SPI)

[slammed57]

looks nice!! how many coats did you end with and which spray gun?

[BIGglaSS]

4 coats with Tekna ProLite 1.4 tip. It sprays nothing like epoxy or primer. I moved too fast, causing lots of orange peel on the first couple coats. Slowed down for the last coat, and it filled in the peel. After I get the inside done, I'll test the cut and buff. If that doesn't get out the peel, then I'll sand with 800 and shoot 3 more.

[BIGglaSS]

Inside is painted.

[oldman3]

Looks great...Jim

[Rickysnickers]

Wow, great!!!

[joedoh]

classy!

is that one of those 15" impala wheels?

[BIGglaSS]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Wow, great!!!

Thanks, neighbor... I'm also in Eagle.

classy!

is that one of those 15" impala wheels?

Yes, it is.

[BIGglaSS]

[youngrodder]

I really like your color combo...

Marc

[slammed57]

looks great bud!

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Thanks, neighbor... I'm also in Eagle.

[BIGglaSS]

Update on painting. Short story, I switched to black base & clear coat, and re-painted the cab. I can't form an opinion on which is better. Base/clear, or single stage. I think the clear makes the black deeper and darker. Overall, I fought with dirt, dust and lint, and hope it will all cut/buff out. Everything from the cab forward is done, I haven't even unboxed the bed and fenders yet. Meanwhile, I will focus on getting it running before cut/buff and put the fenders on.

Radiator, and transmission plumbed. Serpentine belt installed.

[Rickysnickers]

Looks nice!!

[oldman3]

Sweet...Jim

[slammed57]

Any updates? quick question. which did you find easier to spray , single stage? bc/cc? Iam guessin you went with spi clear, which one to you go with and and was it to buff. still torn over hear on ss or bc/cc

[BIGglaSS]

Slammed57, No updates. I had a little time before christmas to work on this mess.


I used SPI black base, and SPI universal clear.

For the long story version... When I did the single stage, there were some areas of heavy orange peel that removed too much material to sand out. I broke through to the primer. I called SPI and had a long conversation. He said I would have to respray vs. spotting in and blending the single stage. The rough areas were due to me (f'n novice) not getting the gun close enough. After a long conversation , his opinion is that base/clear is a better choice for novices. Therefore, I decided to start over with base/clear. Some of the reasons being that you can repair and denib the base coat until it is perfect. Black base is blacker due to the higher pigment load.

Neither way is easier. I could not keep the dust and trash out of any coat. Therefore, there are a lot of imperfections. My overall opinion, universal clear was easier to spray than single stage. To get enough coverage to sand it out, I hammered on 5 coats. To my eye, base clear is blacker and has more depth with a 'wet' look, which I prefer. So far I have only cut and buff the cowl panel. Time consuming, but buffed easy. 1000-1500-2000-2500, trizact 3000-8000, sonax cutmax, sonax polish. It is a lot of steps!

Either way, it is a LOT of work, and I'm considering sending the bed out for paint instead of doing it myself. To get back to SS vs. base/clear, IF I ever do it again, I will still do base/clear. I like the way it looks better than single stage. Hope this helps...

[87Lowrider]

Just finished going through the thread... nice work!

I sent mine to the shop in 2013 where they got all the body and chassis work done and it's been in storage until last fall.

Our end products are going to close to twins...

Hoping to get it on the road in the spring.

Ken

[slammed57]

I appreciate it, just keep at it , little by little. Dont you just love electrical? Iam being sarcastic of course.

[BIGglaSS]

Slammed, I will admit this project broke my spirit for building cars. I have lost all motivation. I'm at the point that I just want this thing out of my garage, and out of my life. Once the engine fires and lets some smoke out of the tires, I may change my mind. Hopefully soon!

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Slammed, I will admit this project broke my spirit for building cars. I have lost all motivation. I'm at the point that I just want this thing out of my garage, and out of my life. Once the engine fires and lets some smoke out of the tires, I may change my mind. Hopefully soon!

Say it ain't so! Just think of all the arm chair mechanics who wish they were as far along as you in driving and enjoying your hard work. If you've lost faith, walk away from it for a bit until the build-bug hits you again. I've had to do that a few times and find some other outlet for a few weekends before jumping back into things.

Enjoy the journey!

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by BIGglaSS

Slammed, I will admit this project broke my spirit for building cars. I have lost all motivation. I'm at the point that I just want this thing out of my garage, and out of my life. Once the engine fires and lets some smoke out of the tires, I may change my mind. Hopefully soon!

You've already done a lot of the hard work. Don't quit now, the end is on the horizon. Just take a step back and leave it for a bit, then come back refreshed and start again.

[_Ogre]

life happens, understand your thoughts, truk took 8 years due to a lot of walking away

paint looks awesome, mirror finish