70 base Challenger, 383 4-speed, F8, restoration

[Ifixmycarmyself]

This thread is truly an inspiration to anybody who likes to fix things themselves, it looks like there's nothing that will scare you off, and best of all...another one gets saved

Thanks for kind words but you are the pro. I've been beating on this car for four years. It's good I don't have to do this for a living. I would be out of business soon. I had to restore another fender and spent about 25-30 hours doing it
Some picture soon.

[Ifixmycarmyself]

continuation of door restoration.

[Ifixmycarmyself]

Unfortunately another of my cars were in desperate need of a new door and fender so this door and fender had to be painted semi orange and fitted to that car 
Had to star all over with another door and fender.

[anlauto]

This thread is truly an inspiration to anybody who likes to fix things themselves, it looks like there's nothing that will scare you off, and best of all...another one gets saved

Thanks for kind words but you are the pro. I've been beating on this car for four years. It's good I don't have to do this for a living. I would be out of business soon. I had to restore another fender and spent about 25-30 hours doing it
Some picture soon.

I couldn't get my cars done without the help of my "PRO" metal guy, or the hard working guys in the body shop, I know what it takes to do the work and I truly appreciate the fact you're tackling it all yourself. It's true hobbyist like yourself that deserve the kudos

[Ifixmycarmyself]

Time to make an update. Since I'm restoring the whole car myself I'll have to paint it myself swell, otherwise it wouldn't count in the end
I had the opportunity to borrow a paint booth and have been busy a couple of weeks with sanding, filler, more sanding, more filler...  The first yellow coat is epoxy primer on bare metal, rear 1/4, deck lid, rear panels, hood, fenders and roof. The second coat, dark grey, is a sanding primer on which filler is applied. Third coat, white, is an epoxy sealer. On top of that is the green F8 base coat and last but not least, 4 coats of clear. Yellow primer is a Swedish brand, Hagman and the rest is Glasurit. (none is water based). When the clear is really hard I will sand buff and polish. Metal/bodywork was rater good and I didn't have to use more than 1 1/2 jar (2 kg or about 5 pounds) of filler with isn't much and majority of it is anyhow sanded away and ends up on the floor. Its going to be a driver car, no trailer queen, so no filler fixing and perfecting the door gaps or trunk gap with filler, they will be at least 1/4 inch or a little bit more to be on the safe side. Hate when paint is chipped in gaps when body moves, these cars have somewhat weak bodys and move a lot (my experience  ) maybe due to the bad roads around here.
Anders

[RUNCHARGER]

Well, that looks much better!

[Challenger in NC]

Fantastic...I really like that color.

[Dakota]

Really nice progress.   You're certainly making the most of getting access to the paint booth.

[anlauto]

That looks incredible 

[7E-Bodies]

First of all, my jaw is dropped and my hat is in my hand (humbled). I'm also restoring a 70 F8. Yet I'm spoiled by a large shop on my property and great parts availability. For sheet metal, I've bought both AMD quarters to replace 1990 styled rust repair, trunk pan and Dutchman panel. My rockers were like new as my car was warehoused 30 years. Minor rot in the lower wheelhouses at the trunk pan, extensions were like new. I'll admit that when I began reading this thread it was the F8 that caught my attention. Not initially noticing where you were from, my first thought was "why the hell isn't he buying a new piece?" When I saw you were from Sweden, humility kicked in. Then I saw how you fabbed up the trunk extensions and realized I was witnessing a talent I could only hope to aspire. As my project progresses toward paint prep, I'm beginning to get nervous as I haven't done a mopar metallic in 35 years when I worked in auto body. Then I saw your paint in that booth and literally shouted an obscenity out loud! You sir, are to be commended! I probably have ten favorite threads on this forum and you just wedged your way in with honors!!! Mine too had been kissed in the right quarter and wheelhouse, yet slightly less than yours. Fortunately my roof is unaffected, but I gave in and replaced the right B pillar as it was sprung inward, left that way after the poor 1990ish impact repair. No floor or rocker damage, frame still perfect. All of this being said, you have boosted my confidence off of the scale and you'll continue to be my inspiration. Rock on and post often!

[Smallblock340]

Great thread! This is a very impressive work!

[Ifixmycarmyself]

First of all, my jaw is dropped and my hat is in my hand (humbled). I'm also restoring a 70 F8. Yet I'm spoiled by a large shop on my property and great parts availability. For sheet metal, I've bought both AMD quarters to replace 1990 styled rust repair, trunk pan and Dutchman panel. My rockers were like new as my car was warehoused 30 years. Minor rot in the lower wheelhouses at the trunk pan, extensions were like new. I'll admit that when I began reading this thread it was the F8 that caught my attention. Not initially noticing where you were from, my first thought was "why the hell isn't he buying a new piece?" When I saw you were from Sweden, humility kicked in. Then I saw how you fabbed up the trunk extensions and realized I was witnessing a talent I could only hope to aspire. As my project progresses toward paint prep, I'm beginning to get nervous as I haven't done a mopar metallic in 35 years when I worked in auto body. Then I saw your paint in that booth and literally shouted an obscenity out loud! You sir, are to be commended! I probably have ten favorite threads on this forum and you just wedged your way in with honors!!! Mine too had been kissed in the right quarter and wheelhouse, yet slightly less than yours. Fortunately my roof is unaffected, but I gave in and replaced the right B pillar as it was sprung inward, left that way after the poor 1990ish impact repair. No floor or rocker damage, frame still perfect. All of this being said, you have boosted my confidence off of the scale and you'll continue to be my inspiration. Rock on and post often!

Thank you for the kind words and interesting to read about your car. I'm happy if I have inspired you and others. Yes it has been a lot of work. Nearly five years since I started. To be honest other things came in between. One thing that took a lot of time was building a new garage. The metal fabrication and bodywork is a part of the hobby that i like a lot. of course I could have bought more aftermarket parts and I did buy some parts. Maybe you saw the videos about the restoration of the fenders and that is something that i almost regret. It took forever to completely disassemble the fenders and repairing them, easily 50 hours of work, or more. Just like you I also painted some cars in mid 80's but never professionally. Had the clear running in several places and it needs to be polished but I guess I'll wait another week or two. Good luck with your paint!
Anders

[Ifixmycarmyself]

Great thread! This is a very impressive work!

Thank you for kind words!
Anders

[usraptor]

Just got caught up on this thread.  All I can say is what others have said, you have mad skills.  My hat is off to you for your skills.      Fortunately for me my best friend is a paint and body man and did all the metal work and paint on my car, otherwise I would still be waiting for it to be finished since I don't have the first clue about how to do bodywork.  Any updates? 

[Ifixmycarmyself]

Just got caught up on this thread.  All I can say is what others have said, you have mad skills.  My hat is off to you for your skills.      Fortunately for me my best friend is a paint and body man and did all the metal work and paint on my car, otherwise I would still be waiting for it to be finished since I don't have the first clue about how to do bodywork.  Any updates?

Thank you for kind words! Bodywork is fun and rewarding and have never been easier because there are so many people sharing knowledge on forums and youtube. Don't be scare about it just give it a try 
About an update.. I need to sand and buff the clear before assembling. Meanwhile working on this project I also built a new garage and had to do some final work on light and heat. Garage is ok and winter is approaching and I will have plenty of time to buff and get rid of some clear runs. Will post pics.