1949 Cadillac Roadster Build

[Jack 1957]

I started final prep on the right fender. I covered the weld with Duraglass and the shaping on the front section was a little below standard so I put a thin coat there also. The rest is pretty good but in the middle, above the wheel, the wheel tracks are embarrassingly obvious. They're not bad enough to mud them up but it will take another step to smooth them out. I went over the area with 80 grit on a DA. Then I smoothed out the Duraglass and shot a couple coats of 2K primer surfacer over the whole fender.


I'll block this, then use the Squeegs primer.This coat of primer will be plenty to fill the wheel tracks.The only reason I didn't use the Squeegs is that I have enough to finish the car but not if I'm doing double applications. It's not about cost, it's about time. They don't ship Squeegs to ohio, so if I need more I have to drive up to Detroit to get more. If I can avoid a day trip into a combat zone, I will.





That came out good. The primer has a semi gloss that makes it easier to see flaws. I have one small detail to attend to. If you look just below the red arrow you can see that the horizontal body line drops downward a little right where it merges with the fender. There are a few body lines that merge in this area and it's difficult to see them all in detail until there's some shine on it. You can also see it on the bottom picture. It's not bad enough to warrant cutting, bending and welding. Just a little mud work and it's handled.

[dwmh]

Great to see your progress Jack. It's going to be stunning.

[Jack 1957]

I did a 150# block sanding on the first round of primer. It's ready for the Squeegs.





Straight as an arrow, smooth as glass.

[toreadorxlt]

gorgeous car and nice bodywork!

[touringgarage]

perfect job very nice project

[Jack 1957]

Skirts are done.

[Jack 1957]

Left quarter smooth and straight.

[Mr fixit]

Hi Jack,

I've read all the posts and followed since then. It is a thing of Beauty for sure !!

I do have a question, it looks like from the pictures posted that you paint right there in the shop where you work on the car, don't you get lots of over-spray on the tools, and the whole shop, what about dust from the body work in the paint when your working in the same space?

I've not painted a car yet, but I'm learning all I can so when I'm ready I'll be able to give it a go, not a show car but a daily driver when it's done.

Newbie asking the obvious I'm sure, but hopefully I can learn something from your great skills and maybe someone else can benefit too.

TX
Mr fixit
Chris

[Jack 1957]

Chris, I did have all this masked with plastic sheeting when I painted. I pulled it off before I took the picture. The gun I use for primer has a 2.5 tip. I call it the fire hose, it will flow thick paint at a high rate without much overspray. You can't do this with finish paint or clear but since the primer will be block sanded next, a little orange peel makes no difference.
When I'm ready for finish paint, every panel that bolts on will be removed and taken to a friend's shop and painted in his booth. The rear deck and quarters will be painted in the garage where it is now. When I do that, I'll clean and bag the whole area where the car is.

[Mr fixit]

HI Jack,

I appreciate the personal response. Your shop did look too clean to have the painting done in place without protection, that's why I had to ask.

It makes sense about finish painting all that you can off the car. I do like the look of that primer though, it looks real solid and probably is great as to how it flows, and sanding out for the finish work is probably a bit easier with a good product as well..
Again, nice work and a great project to follow, it's been an inspiration for me to keep looking forward on my project, so thanks !

TX
Mr fixit
Chris