My 1989 Formula 350 restore
#102
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Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
That doesn’t seem bad at all for a high quality DIY paint job. It looks amazing.
#106
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Well the building begins
Some good and some frustrating..have a look..
The good..I hung a door by myself!
Bad...I can't get to align up and down. As soon as a tighten more than 1 bolt, it moves up.
A mistake...sanded through...arrghh
I re attached the t-bar with rivets after re wrapping it.
Some good and some frustrating..have a look..
The good..I hung a door by myself!
Bad...I can't get to align up and down. As soon as a tighten more than 1 bolt, it moves up.
A mistake...sanded through...arrghh
I re attached the t-bar with rivets after re wrapping it.
#109
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
no pics for a few days. Stupid pixel phone just started crapping out on me. Rebooting, freezing. I wiped and updated it and still the same issue. 2 payment left and this POS starts failed. I swear its by design from Google. I just ordered one off ebay to get me by for a while cheap. I don't want to pay 900 plus for a stupid phone.
Setting the doors is frustrating. I did not widen any holes, being the original are small holes. I replaced the upper hinge half and put the pin and roller kit in. Just ordered a tool that attaches to the striker and door catch that is SUPPOSED to help get this set right. but man they are heavy. Just not sure why when I took them off they were lined up. Now I put them on and they wont adjust right. Widening the holes is dumb but if I have too I will.
Setting the doors is frustrating. I did not widen any holes, being the original are small holes. I replaced the upper hinge half and put the pin and roller kit in. Just ordered a tool that attaches to the striker and door catch that is SUPPOSED to help get this set right. but man they are heavy. Just not sure why when I took them off they were lined up. Now I put them on and they wont adjust right. Widening the holes is dumb but if I have too I will.
#110
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
My phone crapped out on me a few weeks ago and I lost all pics I had planned to add to my thread. I feel ya.
I also couldn’t imagine trying to align my doors by myself. I plan to keep mine on.
I also couldn’t imagine trying to align my doors by myself. I plan to keep mine on.
#111
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Its a pain, to lose the phone, and hang those heavy doors. But I bought an alignment tool on eBay. Came in like 3 days.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steck-Manuf...72.m2749.l2649
This is highly rated online but 3rd gen folks from my research. I put the rear deck on the rear glass. A bit difficult but there is a guy on YouTube that shows how he did it. However he mounted the white plastic washers on top of the glass, not below it as the service manual shows. He had to fill a gap that was between the metal deck and the rear glass. I barely have a gap at all.
Last edited by Hawkeye1980; 09-26-2019 at 09:49 PM.
#112
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
some updates, many frustrations. I am getting tired of it.
Well, adjusting the window and power motor I acidently tighted the adjustment bolts on this part and it snapped off.
So I taped off the edges for setting up the rear window Pulled it off today and I am SCREWED. I stared to wet sand and of course its going through to the primer. DAMN tape ate right into the paint and i waited a WEEK as instructed before taping. Not sure what I am going to do about this. I am running out of warm weather now.
I isntalled this in a rush and messed up a bit. The 4 screws that are part of the bracket are not lined up right. So I have loosen and adjust. Not sure if I am in the mood for all this any more this year.
I am considering moth balling this until spring. Too many screw ups and I am growing very angry over it. Mostly the stupid tape eating into the paint. The really gets me so ticked off.
Well, adjusting the window and power motor I acidently tighted the adjustment bolts on this part and it snapped off.
So I taped off the edges for setting up the rear window Pulled it off today and I am SCREWED. I stared to wet sand and of course its going through to the primer. DAMN tape ate right into the paint and i waited a WEEK as instructed before taping. Not sure what I am going to do about this. I am running out of warm weather now.
I isntalled this in a rush and messed up a bit. The 4 screws that are part of the bracket are not lined up right. So I have loosen and adjust. Not sure if I am in the mood for all this any more this year.
I am considering moth balling this until spring. Too many screw ups and I am growing very angry over it. Mostly the stupid tape eating into the paint. The really gets me so ticked off.
#114
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Yikes......that tape issue is a major deal. How long did you leave it on there? Did it do it to the doors, too?
#115
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
too long I guess. I few days. I didnt think that would happen. The doors are already buffed out. The tape did not thing to them, they are fine. Must be the paint must be sanded, cut and buffed. Cant tape it I obviously prior.
I have to sand it out. mask it off and shoot. Problem is weather now. The warm weather is done this week. Going into the 60s next weekend. My saving grace if there is any. Its single stage, so I can sand it, scuff it, then paint. Then sand it to blend it. Just a bunch of unessessary work I could have avoided. I am so angry over this right now.
#119
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
I get it. I had to strip a freshly sprayed bumper last week over a brain fart. But you live and learn.
#121
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Jeez that sucks. You were doing great work and getting beautiful results.
#122
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Yes I am pretty mad about it. My fault ultimately. I broke my driver window guide as well. I finally got the doors perfect, even got one fender on, and all h*ll broke loose. Going to wet sand it all down with 600 in the bad spots, mask it off and shoot just those areas. Hopefully sand it down to blend any edges. I did this on the door edges with really great results. Just more work I did not want to do.
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thtanner (09-30-2019)
#123
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Well I just spoke to Eastwood support. So I can scuff up the bad areas with 600 grit, mask it off and paint again. Then sand down and blend, more work but better than a repaint! Hope the weather gods give me some more warm weather the next couple of weeks.
#124
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
I think I’d end up scuffing and shooting the whole body(minus doors, fenders, deck lid, etc..). But I’ve never attempted to blend like that. Sounds scary. Lol
I guess being single stage makes it easier. Good luck.
I guess being single stage makes it easier. Good luck.
#125
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
thanks, my fingers are crossed, when I am not sanding or painting!
#126
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Sounds like solvents were still coming out of the paint, then when tape is put over them, the solvents go to work on the sticky goo and it makes a mess of the paint and goo. What kind of tape are you using?
#127
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
Engine: 383 on Ethanol
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
I believe I'd tell them they need to reimburse you for the paint, labor, etc. And tell them to stick that paint in their rears!
Also, if it were me, I'd just scuff both rear quarters and roof and just respray the entire area. I wouldnt do a blend if you don't ABSOLUTELY have to. It's not that much more work to just spray the rest of the panels.....
Also, if it were me, I'd just scuff both rear quarters and roof and just respray the entire area. I wouldnt do a blend if you don't ABSOLUTELY have to. It's not that much more work to just spray the rest of the panels.....
#129
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
I believe I'd tell them they need to reimburse you for the paint, labor, etc. And tell them to stick that paint in their rears!
Also, if it were me, I'd just scuff both rear quarters and roof and just respray the entire area. I wouldnt do a blend if you don't ABSOLUTELY have to. It's not that much more work to just spray the rest of the panels.....
Also, if it were me, I'd just scuff both rear quarters and roof and just respray the entire area. I wouldnt do a blend if you don't ABSOLUTELY have to. It's not that much more work to just spray the rest of the panels.....
As far as getting a refund, its a hit or miss. Its not like its the whole car, and I did leave it on there too long, thats my fault.
#131
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
ok so I am working on the new T-Tops drip edges and weather strips. The new stripes dont have the molded in plastic mount tabs on each side. Cant seam to find them that way either. WHY?? I hate when the cheap down the parts in the after market.
#132
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
When putting those on earlier ttops, you have to grind those tabs off and just use the 2sided tape. Should be just fine without them. Been that way on my 89 for over 20 yrs.
#134
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Now I am no painter, but I would have used the blue painter's tape. It removes after being left on for longer than you might have wished.
An old painter's trick for masking areas where you want the tape to come off easily is to stick the tape to your pants or shirt enough times to pick up some lint.
Then it won't stick as much.
#135
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
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Axle/Gears: 3.90 Currie 9 inch
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Yellow masking tape
Now I am no painter, but I would have used the blue painter's tape. It removes after being left on for longer than you might have wished.
An old painter's trick for masking areas where you want the tape to come off easily is to stick the tape to your pants or shirt enough times to pick up some lint.
Then it won't stick as much.
Now I am no painter, but I would have used the blue painter's tape. It removes after being left on for longer than you might have wished.
An old painter's trick for masking areas where you want the tape to come off easily is to stick the tape to your pants or shirt enough times to pick up some lint.
Then it won't stick as much.
I'm a professional painter in a body shop. I use GREEN 3M masking tape, ONLY. The blue is probably ok for latex house paint, but sucks when used on cars.
#136
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Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
I stand corrected then. Thanks.
#137
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Wrong thing to post on but i I’ve got a project 1989 Firebird on hand and the guy helping me had to move out of state and he was the know everything kind of guy and I was learning but what I’m asking is hehe there’s a lot of wires under the dash board I’ve connected most but I’ve lifted the steering column to bolt it down there was a really big set of cords coming from drivers side and it goes over the column but it’s either a right fit, in the way, or not supposed to be there and found out there’s ground wires and a bunch of boxes that I can’t seem to find where they should go and wiring diagrams aren’t easy to understand and I have the book but it’s not showing me what I’m looking for unless I’m looking over it I can get pics for a better understanding of what I’m asking and sorry for the really long explanation
#138
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Car: 1986 Camaro Drag Car
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Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Not a problem man!
I used to own a custom paint shop, specializing in custom painting motorcycles, drag bikes, helmets, guitars, race cars, boats, you name it. I've tried everything under the sun as far as tape goes.....and that includes masking tapes and vinyl fine line tapes.
#139
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Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
But I don't know crap about single stage paint lol
#141
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Well supposedly yellow masking tape is automotive grade. D@mn stuff sticks to itself better than anything else. I am considering switching to blue but I thought that was even more sticky.
I have heard of the trick of using clothing to make it less sticky but forgot about that. Thankfully a scuffing, paint and wet sand fixes this as per Eastwood. Which I can attest to being I did it already on my door edges a few weeks ago. Comes out perfect.
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Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Just read your whole thread Hawkeye. Nice job and a lot of determination going on there. It will be nice when you get it all together and you paint repaired. Keep it up; you'll get it.
By the way, what are you going to do with that antenna? I need one.
Bob
By the way, what are you going to do with that antenna? I need one.
Bob
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Bob88GTA (10-01-2019)
#146
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Will be spraying the bad areas tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Wet sanding he spoiler now. Hoping for much done by Sunday evening. Just updated the t-tops with new weather stripping, came out awesome. Will get pics when possible.
#147
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Rough day today. Taping off around affected area still getting messed up. So I free handed most of it. Seems this Eastwood paint doesnt like tape even for a short period until is is wet sanded at least, first. Anyway Should be wet sanding it this week weather permitting. Hopefully back to together by next weekend and buff it out. Sorry no pics, cell still crashes, even when trying to take pics.
#148
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Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
That stinks to hear about the problems you've been having, it looked like it was coming along nicely before that. The colder it gets, the slower the paint will cure, so keep that in mind for buffing, taping, and storage.
#149
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Thanks man. I am not happy about it at all. Will get done what I can on the nice days that are left if any. Then shelve whatever is t not done until spring. I want to have it basically together and driveable and in the next couple of weeks. Just delay after delay.
#150
Re: My 1989 Formula 350 restore
Amazing how fasteners fall out of your hand and disappear. I am starting to put small parts and the bumpers back on. I will say the new after market fenders I got, one several years ago, fits rather nicely. Just unfortunately the front end for the driver door chipped on me. The angled inner metal needed to be bent in a bit more.
Also I am working very carefully but getting chips and scrapes in the paint. Not bad just frustrating. Even the new door handle marked my door...more stupid touch up to do.
Also I am working very carefully but getting chips and scrapes in the paint. Not bad just frustrating. Even the new door handle marked my door...more stupid touch up to do.