Creation of the Red Baron - Phase 3: Paint

[MikeFleming]

After dis-assembly and welding, the chassis finally makes its way to the paint shop. Here I detail an almost daily report - with pics - of the ~30 working days it spent in the paint shop. Next will come the re-assembly with a brief detour for building hte power plant, aka engine.

Day 00: What it looked like when it was first dropped off at the paint shop. That's Paul Schmidt, the tow driver.
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Back end of The Shop.
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Yep, duct tape holding down the rear hatch.
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Don Kline - The Shop's owner. Looking at all the stuff inside the hatch area. Probably wondering what he's got himself into.
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It rides a little high just now.
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Day 01: Dis-assembly/repair of bumper covers, fitting hood and front hood latch pin mounts.
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The hood hinges are not new (just blasted) but the hinge boot seals, mounting bolts and nutplates are.
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[Ford Builder]

So where is your mug Mike ??, are you camera shy

[MikeFleming]

More Day 01: Assorted paint removal and inspection of what needs to be done.
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Day 02: More paint removal.
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Hood pin slot in HO Fibertrends gfrp hood.
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[MikeFleming]

More Day 02:

Right door.
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Day 03: First primer coat.
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Stuff ready for primer.
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Day 05: More primer layers.
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Day 06: Sand, prime, watch primer dry. Lather, rinse, repeat.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 07: Sand, prime, watch primer dry. Lather, rinse, repeat.
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Some plastic filler for the low spots.
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Day 12: Continuing sanding & priming.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 13: Fine sanding some of the primered parts.
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Replacing the door hinges.
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Prepping engine compartment.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 15: Some sunlight drying.
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Repair more hidden chassis cracking.
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Misc shot.
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Sail panels.
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87 GT gfrp (stock) front bumper (with 87 shocks) to replace the heavy stock SVO steel bumper and shocks.
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Door trim strips.
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Day 16: First color: Black! Mirrors and rocker panel strips.
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WARNING: Severe Red Warning!!
Beware Intense Red Starting in Next Post.

[MikeFleming]

Dat 16: And now, some Red.
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Now some clear coat. Notice the color change in the red after the "Invasion of the Clear Mist".
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[Ford Builder]

Mike I don't see your hands getting dirty. It is taking shape.

[MikeFleming]

I have a few pics with me in them but most are with me standing behind the camera, out of view. Wait for the finished product - there's still a LONG way to go.

I paid the professionals to do the body, paint & glass work. I just told (asked??) them what to do and documented the progress. However I did all of the dis-assembly/re-assembly stuff. And all the driveline, suspension, electrical & interior stuff.

[Ford Builder]

Ok you just dont what to steal the lime light, thats cool .

[MikeFleming]

More Clear Mist.
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Day 17: Painted parts out of the paint booth.
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Day 18: painting the jungle gym inside. The painter didn't want to paint the inside tube structure as it would be near impossible to get around and under the tubing using a gravity-fed spray gun. So I brought him a collection of SEM aerosol cans in the SVO interior color and he Got 'er Done! Here's the results.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 20: Assorted trim pieces in gloss black.
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How the quarter window trim strip triangle pieces attach.
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Parts prepped for paint.
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Some sanding/buffing of finish painted items.
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Vin plate and associated rivits. No one is allowed to touch these when repairing cars. Heavy fines and/or jail time for any tampering. Would have been nice to clean it up and add a fresh layer of semi-gloss black. Oh well.
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[brsvo]

No cage in the front?

[MikeFleming]

Day 21: More color onto parts.
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Prepping/sanding of hood.
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Red (and clear) into engine compartment and chassis front.
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Day 22: Out in the sunlight.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 22: More sunlight shots.
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Day 23: Moving the big stuff into the paint booth. Color is coming.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 23: More moving stuff into the paint booth.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 23: Mixing up the gray brew (sealer).
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Applying sealer.
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Fine (orange) and coarse (light green) masking strips for gloss black trim area around rear windows.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 23: Finish fine line masking.
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Apply gloss black to trim area around rear windows.
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Let gloss black dry, remove masking.
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Apply reverse masking.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 23: Mix & apply red!
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[MikeFleming]

Some components to mix up some Rosso Corsa:
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[MikeFleming]

Adding clear.
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The Fog is back!
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[MikeFleming]

Day 24: Out of paint booth and into sunlight.
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New, cad-plated fender bolts and washers.
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[MikeFleming]

Day 28: Some assembly after buffing.
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