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Okay, I definitely need to get some work done on my car. I'm trying to put together a wish list of things to do. Most of this stuff is going to get done in spring or maybe piece by piece during the winter. I need you guys to help me figure out what I could/should skip, places to get the best prices and roughly how much things will cost.
1. Paint. I was going to get the main problem areas color matched with some kind of laser pigment device they use. These "problem areas" are the hood, the nose and the passenger side quarter panel. The hood and quarter panel have been visibly repainted (badly); the nose has terrible rock chips and the hood has really bad alligatoring and hail damage. If I get it done this way it counts as "paint restoration" as opposed to a repaint in which case it still qualifies as original paint for car shows. The rest of SS paint is kind of dull (haven't tried the rotary on it yet) and has its fair share of scratches and dings.
I may just go ahead and repaint it all w/base coat - clear coat for better shine and no annoying oxidation. This may detract from the value of the car but then again it really isn't worth very much and I don't plan on selling it. I'm hesitant to do while I still occasionally park on the streets at night. Usually its in my backyard or driveway but when i have a brand spanking new perfect paint job I'm not going to want to risk it getting scratched/marred. I want to go with the same color and pin striping. I'm thinking a Maaco paint job with no buffing, I'll do that myself. I'll even spring for an extra coat or two of clear coat. How much should this cost? Any tips? Ideas?
2. Steering wheel emblem. I can't seem to find the emblem that goes in the center of my steering wheel. I have the sport steering wheel package that came with the 1979 Calais and Hurst, it is missing the emblem and makes the interior look incomplete. No matter where I look no one has it, or even knows exactly which one it is. It features an Oldsmobile rocket.
3. Visor. Both my visors are sun damaged and one is clearly hanging down. They are beginning to fall apart on only the outside part. The stitched vinyl edging is still in perfect condition. I asked the vinyl guy that did my landau top and he said he needed a special stitching machine to do that vinyl stitching. I either want to find replacement visors or find someone who can re-stitch them using the same kind of material of the exact same color re-using the original vinyl edging. Do you guys think this is possible? Any ideas where to look? What kind of costs am I looking at?
4. Chrome. The chrome on my front and back bumpers both have some surface rust. They are two quarter sized ones on the front and a few tiny ones on the back. The metal is slightly pitted but really not too trashed. Are there any quick fixes like rust converter>chrome spray paint or would I really have to get it re-plated. I don't feel like getting it re-plated as they are no longer legally allowed to do it in the city limits and I don't want to pay to ship it away, wait to get it back and pay the shipping costs. The question is: do I really have to? Any recommendations on where to get it re-plated, if necessary?
5. Trim. My exterior vinyl trim strips are kind of dull and the adhesives are beginning to lose their grip. I'm thinking of de-badge them all and re-attaching them, is it better to do this before the winter or after? Will the temperature affect the griping ability? It will be covered during the winter.
6. Insulation for inside hood. The insulation stuff on the inside of my hood is all falling apart and horribly looking. It drops all kinds of debris on my engine and as a result it won't stay clean for longer than a day. I want to put a new layer on but of better quality this time as G-bodies are known for getting that alligator effect that mine has from the hot engine. Anyone know where I could get an extremely high quality one and about how much they go for?
Thanks for your time, I know its a lot to read. I just needed some advice from those more experienced than myself.
1. Paint. I was going to get the main problem areas color matched with some kind of laser pigment device they use. These "problem areas" are the hood, the nose and the passenger side quarter panel. The hood and quarter panel have been visibly repainted (badly); the nose has terrible rock chips and the hood has really bad alligatoring and hail damage. If I get it done this way it counts as "paint restoration" as opposed to a repaint in which case it still qualifies as original paint for car shows. The rest of SS paint is kind of dull (haven't tried the rotary on it yet) and has its fair share of scratches and dings.
I may just go ahead and repaint it all w/base coat - clear coat for better shine and no annoying oxidation. This may detract from the value of the car but then again it really isn't worth very much and I don't plan on selling it. I'm hesitant to do while I still occasionally park on the streets at night. Usually its in my backyard or driveway but when i have a brand spanking new perfect paint job I'm not going to want to risk it getting scratched/marred. I want to go with the same color and pin striping. I'm thinking a Maaco paint job with no buffing, I'll do that myself. I'll even spring for an extra coat or two of clear coat. How much should this cost? Any tips? Ideas?
2. Steering wheel emblem. I can't seem to find the emblem that goes in the center of my steering wheel. I have the sport steering wheel package that came with the 1979 Calais and Hurst, it is missing the emblem and makes the interior look incomplete. No matter where I look no one has it, or even knows exactly which one it is. It features an Oldsmobile rocket.
3. Visor. Both my visors are sun damaged and one is clearly hanging down. They are beginning to fall apart on only the outside part. The stitched vinyl edging is still in perfect condition. I asked the vinyl guy that did my landau top and he said he needed a special stitching machine to do that vinyl stitching. I either want to find replacement visors or find someone who can re-stitch them using the same kind of material of the exact same color re-using the original vinyl edging. Do you guys think this is possible? Any ideas where to look? What kind of costs am I looking at?
4. Chrome. The chrome on my front and back bumpers both have some surface rust. They are two quarter sized ones on the front and a few tiny ones on the back. The metal is slightly pitted but really not too trashed. Are there any quick fixes like rust converter>chrome spray paint or would I really have to get it re-plated. I don't feel like getting it re-plated as they are no longer legally allowed to do it in the city limits and I don't want to pay to ship it away, wait to get it back and pay the shipping costs. The question is: do I really have to? Any recommendations on where to get it re-plated, if necessary?
5. Trim. My exterior vinyl trim strips are kind of dull and the adhesives are beginning to lose their grip. I'm thinking of de-badge them all and re-attaching them, is it better to do this before the winter or after? Will the temperature affect the griping ability? It will be covered during the winter.
6. Insulation for inside hood. The insulation stuff on the inside of my hood is all falling apart and horribly looking. It drops all kinds of debris on my engine and as a result it won't stay clean for longer than a day. I want to put a new layer on but of better quality this time as G-bodies are known for getting that alligator effect that mine has from the hot engine. Anyone know where I could get an extremely high quality one and about how much they go for?
Thanks for your time, I know its a lot to read. I just needed some advice from those more experienced than myself.
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