1964 RHD Impala Wagon - Australian Delivered

I've had two weeks off to work on the Wagon so things are moving along.

I mentioned that I would be "spot-filling" before primer - probably a generous description as in reality the quarters were close but still gobbled up a fair bit of plastic. Filler of choice is U-Pol "Fanta Stick" and paper is Indasa 80/180/320.





Started with the left rear which after two bouts of open heart surgery was the waviest.

Made a template off the other side and then out with the tape lines and the big long metal straight edge. My preferred method is to creep up on it slowly so top third, bottom third, then middle third over three straight days.

Like I said, if I did this for a living I'd go broke!













Right Quarter was a bit ropey in spots particularly behind the wheel arch. Cutting filler is a horrible job but on mild spring evenings it aint too bad!



The top of the tailgate also got a skim after many years of having guitars and music gear dragged over it.



The next fix was a strange but effective one. 1 in every 2 of these 64 full size chevs has "balloon doors" - that is doors that bow out along the trim lines. Unfortunately mine is one of those - don't know if they were like that from factory or they shift over time. Anyway, straight edge shows a 10mm bow out.

The fix...? Car jack, tape measure and sturdy wall!






From there it was a quick re-etch with the Epotec 408...



And then its first coat of High Build Primer.














While the Primer has been curing I have been busy with the dash - should have some pics up on Monday night.

 

Watching you work on this project out in the open reminds me of the bad old days here in California when we could do projects like this in the same way. Not any more.

Love watching your progress.

Best regards,
Tom

 

Tom - The spraying of 2k out in the open is also prohibited here in Canberra/Australia so I'm being a naughty boy.

I've been doing a few other small jobs in the garage with 2k and the next big paint session will thankfully be in a booth.

 

Man, they're getting you there too, huh? Well, working in manufacturing where we paint and such, I know it's all for the good, but...

You project is looking really good.
Tom

 

really lookin good OZ

 

On to the dashboard - a very enjoyable month blowing some paint around and actually finishing a few things.

First up the wheel came off - I don't have a steering wheel puller so made one out of some old rusty flat bar.



Pulled the dash insert out



....and then set about filling all of the holes that shouldn't be there. I can only take responsibility for two of them from when I fitted a temp gauge many years ago. There were about 10 holes in all.



There was one biggie underneath the ignition switch that needed a round patch so migged one in and skimmed it with filler. Cleaned the rest of the dash with steel wool and thinners and primed it, along with the speaker vent, the glovebox lid and the ashtray.









Guide coat, and a wet sand with 600...



And then painted it with the correct factory fawn finish in satin metallic. I used PPG cobra base coat and "kicked it" with 10 per cent hardener for extra durability.





Then it was onto the chrome dash insert and gauges. Some thinners and steel wool on the chrome and it shined up like a new one





I blew the dust out of the gauges and polished up the lenses with some toothpaste until crystal clear (and minty fresh!)



...and the numbers on the odometer were crooked.....so I straightened them up..!



Put the dash insert back in...



...and polished up the knobs and bezels back to new with a drill mounted buffing wheel



Then it was onto the steering wheel. As you can see it has the common "old-car problem" of cracks and gaps as a result of the plastic shrinking on the frame







So I channelled out the cracks with a dremel engraving bit and drilled some holes to allow the epoxy putty to key into it.

 

The epoxy putty is from KBS - mix part A and B together in equal amounts and press hard into the gaps. Sets like a rock overnight.







From there, I used a round and a flat file and some 80 grit to smooth it out...





...then some 320 grit, some plastic adhesion promoter, some 2k primer and then repainted it in 2k in the factory 2-tone colours. (Ivory and Fawn).



Squeezed the chrome rings back onto it and polished up the horn ring


...aaand it's finished.



Wheel back on and dash finished.



Next up is some colour on the rear floorpan and some base and clear on the insides of the doors, the tailgate and all the jambs.

 

Looking real good

 

Awesome job done, major on the steering wheel restoration!

 

Your dash, like the rest of your car, looks fantatstic.

 

Continues to blow me away! Just amazing work!

 

NICE JOB on the wheel brother

 

I really enjoyed this thread. Awesome job.

 

Great write up and beautiful work. Thanks for taking the time to document your work!