67 Kadett Restoration

[Gordy]

Finally got my 1967 Kadett Rallye up to the body shop to begin the body/paint work. Will take a few pics as the work moves along. One question for the paint gurus out there. Would this work for painting on the side Rallye stripes....Spray about a 6 inch band of black semi-gloss around the car where the stripes are to go and then use semi-gloss clearcoat over that. Then using proper width masking tape, put the tape on where the double black stripes are to remain, and paint the car. When the tape comes off the stripes are there. Seems kind of backward to me but an idea the shop put forth. Or has anyone had GOOD LUCK with a taped on stripe?

[mach 1]

My stripes were painted on after the car was painted, they used a semi gloss black paint. I had the vinyl stripes but decided paint was better, besides they were painted on from the factory. I know you're excited to see it done, i sure was.

Terry

[neuropel]

I went through this earlier this year as well. The shop that painted my car used the same technique that mach 1 described. They first applied the base/clear to the entire car, then carefully taped off the stripes and applied a semi gloss black. I'm not certain, but I believe they lightly scuff the area to be painted once it's taped off (I don't know how they do it so that it doesn't affect the tape) to ensure the black adheres well. You can see pictures of the process here and other places in the thread. According to the painter, the tricky part is knowing exactly when to remove the tape to reveal the stripes. Like mach 1, I had the vinyl stripes, but I never intended for them to go on the car. I just gave them to the shop so they would have a reference to go by when they were laying out the stripes.

[kwilford]

I would be inclined to do "almost" what they described, except use a base coat (not semigloss) for the stripe, and then hold off the clear until the main base coat is applied, so both the base coat of the stripe and the main base coat are "cleared" at the same time. Then there will be no external seam between the stripe and the main paint

[neuropel]

Keith makes an important point. If you're OK with having a glossy stripe, then the black can be applied prior to the clear coat stage and everything is below the clear. Many people go this route, but you lose some of the contrast of the stripe (at least in my opinion).

[Gordy]

It's coming along real well! Should be painted next week. Am going to see if I can get someone to go to the body shop to install the head liner once the old girl is painted to save me towing it to the upholstery shop and then another tow to get it back home.

[Gordy]

A few more pics

[Gordy]

Kadett was sprayed this week. Doors will be hung and hood and stripes painted semi gloss black next.

[tomking]

You are ahead of me; mine hasnt been shot yet.

[Gordy]

Got the engine set to go but am going to put the engine in before I hook the trans to it. With the long tail on the trans which the shifter mounts in, it was tough to get it out as a unit. Trans is pretty light so I think it will be easier to mount once the engine is in.

[Gordy]

Engine with just a single carb currently. Once the engine is in and running again I will replace it with the proper dual carb set up. Want to make sure I have an otherwise running engine before I start tearing carbs apart!

[Gordy]

Hope to have it home by the end of the week with new headliner already installed.

[Gordy]

Got it home and put in a few hours on it. What a great way to spend a weekend!!

[tomking]

Its looking really good Gordy!

[JudokaJohn]

Gordy- a most excellent Kadett! Where did you find the car?

[broszzy]

Yes Gordy, that is looking real nice

[Gordy]

Thanks Guys.
I found it on this site when I placed a "Cars Wanted" ad for a Kadett. Jim at USA Opel contacted me and sent me some pictures of a car he had available. Attached are the original photos he sent. I then drove Jim crazy asking for more pics and info, as the car was 2,000 miles away. Was looking at a couple others at the same time but I think we made a good choice in dealing with Jim. He's great to do business with and helped me get or line up several parts the car needed (headliner, carpeting, window rubber etc). Still had to convince the wife the car had potential, but she is real pleased now that it's getting done.
This is what we initially were looking at;

[Gordy]

Ran out of energy today and will pick it up again next week end. Engine will be going in Sat.

[OpelJim]

Originally Posted by Gordy Thanks Guys. I found it on this site when I placed a "Cars Wanted" ad for a Kadett. Jim at USA Opel contacted me and sent me some pictures of a car he had available. Attached are the original photos he sent. I then drove Jim crazy asking for more pics and info, as the car was 2,000 miles away. Was looking at a couple others at the same time but I think we made a good choice in dealing with Jim. He's great to do business with and helped me get or line up several parts the car needed (headliner, carpeting, window rubber etc). Still had to convince the wife the car had potential, but she is real pleased now that it's getting done. This is what we initially were looking at;

I wish you lived here in Lake Elsinore so we can restore cars together
I am amazed at your attnetion to detail Your work is as near to perfect
as it gets.
All the best
See you down the road
Jim M

[azopelnut]

Jim
You must be the Kadett King. How is your beautiful Kadett wagon I saw in Fallbrook?
Didn't you have a very nice 68 Kadett Ralley awhile back too?

[Gordy]

Put the engine on hold. Last weekend I removed the entire front suspension to rebuild it before the engine goes in. All came out real well except the LF brake line will need replacing. Will get everything sandblasted , painted in Chasis Saver paint, new bushings, ball joints, tie rods, brakes etc. and get that all back in before the engine goes in. Found brake calipers at Discountbrakes.com
Looks like they have a good selection for Opels but web site is kind of funny. Better to call them with what it looks like what you need and have them confirm the right application.

[Gordy]

Dropped the front suspension out of the Kadett and will get it sandblasted etc. Interesting that one side had roller ball bearing wheel bearings and one side had taper bearings. Are they interchangable as long as the bearing race is installed?

[tomking]

Originally Posted by Gordy Dropped the front suspension out of the Kadett and will get it sandblasted etc. Interesting that one side had roller ball bearing wheel bearings and one side had taper bearings. Are they interchangable as long as the bearing race is installed?

Gordy I dont know what a roller ball bearing is. Both bearings, both sides should be roller bearings, no balls.

[Gordy]

I will post pics of the two bearings. The roller ball bearings look like small steel marbles (about 8-10 if I remember correctly) and are held in a housing. The taper bearings are the modern standard type that are in the GTs etc.
I believe the advantages of taper bearings were they were quieter and provided much better rolling charactoristics.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Gordy I will post pics of the two bearings. The roller ball bearings look like small steel marbles (about 8-10 if I remember correctly) and are held in a housing. The taper bearings are the modern standard type that are in the GTs etc. I believe the advantages of taper bearings were they were quieter and provided much better rolling charactoristics.

IIRC, early Kadett's had some interesting features, one of which is ball bearings for the front wheel bearings. So the spindle *may* have been swapped from an older car.