72 Vega GT , LS 5spd

[1100kaw2]

Heavy bar that fits behind the original bumper with tow bar brackets on it.
I fabricated it up, has plates that fit between orig bumper brackets and frame. I'm prob not going to use it. Hell. I have AAA.
Just thought it would be cool to just throw a bar on it if I wanted/needed to.

[Smiley]

Did you find the window trim you were looking for ?

[1100kaw2]

Nope, never have come up with it. I spent some time tapping, pecking, massaging the one I had. looks way better. If I find a nice one, its not too bad to pull that window out and switch it out.
Its fine. I keep telling myself its just a driver.
Darrell

[avewhtboy]

looking good coming together, what was going on with the roof was that rust or filling in a sunroof?

[1100kaw2]

No Rust, no sunroof.
Aircraft Stripper. removing paint. Entire car has been stripped to orig. metal.

[73cos]

No Rust, no sunroof.
Aircraft Stripper. removing paint. Entire car has been stripped to orig. metal.

Can you explain the process start to finish you used to strip the paint using Aircraft Stripper..I have to strip my Vega in the near future and would like to use a stripper to remove the paint....

Thanks Jeff

[1100kaw2]

A couple guide lines
I only chemical stripped outer panels. Making sure not to let stripper run into nooks and crannys. pinch welds, etc.
Masking areas up helps. be surprised how the stuff starts oozing everywhere.
depending on amount of paint on panels. may take a few cycles to get all off.
I usually start by running a DA quickly over the panels with 80 grit or so. Just to rough em up. Seems to make stripper bite in quicker and better.
Do small areas, like you might when waxing a car. pour some on area, or dip out of pan using cheap paint brush. smear around generously. let sit for a bit. scrape off with plastic scraper. I usually just scrape off into an old box.
The factory red primer on these early cars is mean shit. Stripper didn't seam to hurt it to much. When you have as much off as poss. clean residue with laquer thinner. Then DA all bare metal and Body work from there.
Unless in nice dry environment, get some epoxy or something on it quick.
For those that don't know. Most epoxy s , Like PPG DP90, DP40, DP50. Ect. You can do filler and bodywork over top of.
Hope this helps.

[73cos]

A couple guide lines
I only chemical stripped outer panels. Making sure not to let stripper run into nooks and crannys. pinch welds, etc.
Masking areas up helps. be surprised how the stuff starts oozing everywhere.
depending on amount of paint on panels. may take a few cycles to get all off.
I usually start by running a DA quickly over the panels with 80 grit or so. Just to rough em up. Seems to make stripper bite in quicker and better.
Do small areas, like you might when waxing a car. pour some on area, or dip out of pan using cheap paint brush. smear around generously. let sit for a bit. scrape off with plastic scraper. I usually just scrape off into an old box.
The factory red primer on these early cars is mean shit. Stripper didn't seam to hurt it to much. When you have as much off as poss. clean residue with laquer thinner. Then DA all bare metal and Body work from there.
Unless in nice dry environment, get some epoxy or something on it quick.
For those that don't know. Most epoxy s , Like PPG DP90, DP40, DP50. Ect. You can do filler and bodywork over top of.
Hope this helps.

Yes this helps..I have been doing some research about stripping cars using chemical strippers..Did you wash your Vega afterwards with water of just lacquer thinner? Biggest part I'm worried about is getting it all stripped to bare metal and to the body shop before rusting...I don't paint or have any equipment..
I want save some cash and also would enjoy doing the paint stripping myself...Thanks for the info

[T-FATTY]

As stated above, stripper can be bad news if you let it get into a fold, corner or any area that will hold it as you will never keep paint on it if any remains behind.

[73cos]

Has anyone tried using a media blast with walnut shells? This was my second option I was thinking about..Of course I would have the Vega sent out to an experienced blaster..

I like the idea of chemical stripping but it has some negatives if any stripper is left behind in hidden areas..hmmm

[Wizeguyrc]

I used Tal-Strip on the outer skin of the wagon. You can see in the pictures that the channels, etc. were left alone.
After that, the rest of the car was blasted.

[73cos]

Tracy, What process did you use to clean off the stripper? If water was used this doesn't make sense to me as your applying water to bare metal am assuming
this create surface rust at a quick rate..?? Then what?

[Wizeguyrc]

I did the same as mentioned above, wipe with thinner and da the car.
Also, brush the stripper on in one direction with minimal amount of over lapping.
Back and forth makes the chemical less effective.

[Smiley]

Nope, never have come up with it. I spent some time tapping, pecking, massaging the one I had. looks way better. If I find a nice one, its not too bad to pull that window out and switch it out.
Its fine. I keep telling myself its just a driver.
Darrell

here's a couple that might work
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121223857575?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.autopartsobsolete.com/1977-1978-vega-side-window-reveal-molding-9828213.html

[HAULIN' IT]

Nope, never have come up with it. I spent some time tapping, pecking, massaging the one I had. looks way better. If I find a nice one, its not too bad to pull that window out and switch it out.
Its fine. I keep telling myself its just a driver.
Darrell

Darrell, I have to say...that is one thing I saw in your latest pictures that surprises me. After all of the top notch prep work, why install the windows, trim, ect. before paint? I personally can't relate to installing ANY of the panels...but to "glue" seams of the headlamp bezels, header panel to fenders, ect. with paint & clear seems like a cop-out at the end & could lead to other problems down the road...not to mention the tapelines & dryspray your bound to have in some areas regardless of how careful you are.
To each his own & mean nothing more than what I said, I'm surprised. Do you typically do that daily with the collision repairs you do also? Lorne