Off to the Sandblaster

[namba209]

Originally Posted by markandson Also, can anyone tell me if there is supposed to be vertical lines in the body at the front and/or rear of the rocker panel at the door opening.

I just took a close look at Willit? and there is a vertical splice line where you indicated, but I can only see it on the front of the driver's side. I'm guessing production line tolerances and the body shop decided it would be too much bondo to cover it up and smooth it out on Willit?

[markandson]

Went to the body shop on Friday. Doors were being final fit, they had to cut the left side rear quarter loose from the door jamb because the gap between the door and the body wasn't perfect. These guys are unbelieveable, I know I have to wait for my cars, but they are better than factory when I finally get them back. Front and rear glass and pop out glass is all temporarily in to make sure they fit properly. Next week the light buckets will be test fit AGAIN, to make sure nothing changed since they were in several months ago. Hood is being test fit also. I am still looking for a good solution to pass wiring from the door jambs into the doors for my electric windows and mirrors.
I would like to make it look factory installed if possible. Very difficult if you look at how the surfaces relate during the opening of the door.

[markandson]

Well she's finally GOLD. Some additional detail work will be done to make my GT unique, but it should be complete as far as paint goes within the next few days. Now the challenge will be getting it all back together without a scratch and also in time to drive it to Carlisle 2008. It's too bad the computer does not do the paint job justice. What you are looking at is 3 coats of silver base coat, 6 coats of Pagen Gold candy, and 3 coats of clear. The car will be totally sanded one more time, some highlights added, and then cleared once or twice more. The back panel is black with a gold fleck in it, the picture does not show it, and the color is much lighter than it looks on my monitor.

[jordan]

WOW! That is VERY gold Jeff. Looks like a great paint job.....now you can't use bodywork as an excuse for not having it ready for Carlilse.

[newman27]

Congrats on reaching such a major milestone! It sounds like you are getting a great paint job done there!

Matt

[jvandyke]

That's a great color. There was talk a while back about GT colors and I mentioned I thought that burnt orange/gold color that is popular today would look good on a GT and darn it does too!! Can't wait to see it at Carlisle.

[namba209]

Now that is a fantastic looking paint job. Great color choice and you've got some great painters there.

[tomking]

Jeff that is going to be one very distinct GT!

[markandson]

Originally Posted by tomking Jeff that is going to be one very distinct GT!

I guess the Cops are going to pick me out pretty easily, it's not as copper looking in the flesh, if I can get a better picture I will post it. The paint "flips" from every angle, so when you walk around the car it changes from yellow to gold to bronze, you're just going to have to see it in person to appreciate the paint. The wheels, the Rx7 mirrors and what ever I do for detail will be the same black with gold fleck as the tail is. The detail work will be decided today, I am having a real tough time deciding exactly what to do. A standard stripe down the middle just seems to ordinary for what I am trying to create, but you never know. The guy I am working with paints flames that look like real fire, but I think even that may be a little too corny. I am searching for a classy look, just don't know what to do.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by markandson A standard stripe down the middle just seems to ordinary for what I am trying to create, but you never know. The guy I am working with paints flames that look like real fire, but I think even that may be a little too corny. I am searching for a classy look, just don't know what to do.

Why not copy the "GT/J" stripes down the side, but, "ghost" them in so they won't be the center of attention, but, it'll give a little detail that will get noticed. Your paint guy sould know what ghosting is, painting something just a little lighter than the main color.

[PROPEL]

So what color are you going to paint those wheels???

Just kidding. That paint looks great! I like gold... time for it to make a comeback.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by PROPEL So what color are you going to paint those wheels???

Now those are the MOST aerodynamic tires I've ever seen

[opelnut_1]

Bet they will work good in the deep snow as well

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by opelnut_1 Bet they will work good in the deep snow as well

Dang! you beat me to it!!

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by markandson Well she's finally GOLD.

Well, at least now you can justify how much you've spent on the car to your wife.

'But honey, of course it's expensive, it's gold...'

[jvandyke]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Why not copy the "GT/J" stripes down the side, but, "ghost" them in so they won't be the center of attention, but, it'll give a little detail that will get noticed. Your paint guy sould know what ghosting is, painting something just a little lighter than the main color.

That's a good idea, either something subtle or nothing is my vote. The body lines and color are great as is. I've got a center stripe and if/when I redo it, I'll probably not stripe it, although it does "fit" with the body kit and all. Man I like that color.
BTW, what's the origin of the blacked out tail? Seems pretty common, is that a racing legacy or something?

[markandson]

I don't know the origin of the black tail idea, I just liked it in order to off-set the powerful color I chose. The wheels are special Kia style racing wheels for use on slot car race tracks . I think after consulting with the graphics design guy down the street that I am going to let the color be the statement and not touch the car at all. I am going to lunch now a dropping off a set of pictures for him to sketch on, if I don't like what he does I won't do anything at all. I am leaning toward leaving it clean, the flip flopping paint sort of says it all.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Well, at least now you can justify how much you've spent on the car to your wife. 'But honey, of course it's expensive, it's gold...'

Ahh yes, but her color is DIAMOND! so I will never catch up.

[markandson]

I dubbed this Blitz onto the picture of my car, what do you think?

[neuropel]

Personally, I'd leave it as is. By the time you get chrome and wheels on it, with that paint job you're not going to need anything else. I'm not normally a big fan of window tints, but I've seen some similar colored cars that really looked nice with a complementary tint.

Todd K.

[markandson]

Originally Posted by neuropel Personally, I'd leave it as is. By the time you get chrome and wheels on it, with that paint job you're not going to need anything else. I'm not normally a big fan of window tints, but I've seen some similar colored cars that really looked nice with a complementary tint. Todd K.

The owner of the body shop said the same thing, tint the windows and don't touch the body, I am leaning that way, just testing the waters, thanks for your input.

[opellane]

Wow, Jeff that Gold looks excellent. It truely is a Golden Beauty. I like the black rear panel too. "It looks real nice just as is." Add all the extra's,with all the nice chrome you have, and interior, will look real nice with the gold flake color, Wow. Gonna have to be careful not to scratch anything up while putting it back together.

Good Luck
Hope you get it back together before Carlisle in May, Big winter project now.
I still have Alot more work to do on my GT too.

Mike

[Sparky73]

I'd have to agree with everyone else's opinion, and just leave it as is. With the chrome bumpers, trim, and polished parts.. I think anything else would just look to 'busy'. I also agree about the window tint. Nothing too dark, but a slight tinting like maybe a 35% or 20% at the most, will add to the beauty. I did 5% on my last car, and it was a little too dark. And it makes it REAL hard to see out at night.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by markandson I dubbed this Blitz onto the picture of my car, what do you think?

A stock-bodied GT with a reflective-quality paint job looks best. Anything else on the car will clutter it and you'll lose the impact of the body lines. The only straight lines on a GT are the bottom and top of the rocker panel. Everything else has curves. Show them off!

[markandson]

Thanks, everyone, for your input, decision made, the car will be naked for all to see.