What did you do to your car today? Vol 2.0

Ew, pull the snot dip off there and get you some SEM trim black, you'll never look back.

SDog, what a bum on the cat. That aches. Here, kitty kitty. lol. Remain calm if the cat install presents other conflicts. What if they still cry tamper about the rear 02 pigtail? Man, then you'd need at hacked temp OE DP ass'y eh? Wait why do I think of things like that? Used to gettin bent over. Just glad they quit sniff testing right as I left Texas because I had failed but was in the grace period when the state dropped the (kinda trial) program in like '96.

I did snap a few pics round the shop today i'll ho up the ho thread I reckon. Took the GTP out for some curvys and dirt today, she's good.

isn't self etching primer used to restore a coating to bare metal before priming? thats how I've always been told.. never used it on plastic.. now maybe a high build primer to help fill in scratches.

Self etching primer would be used when painting chrome wheels too.

Manged to dodge a nasty storm that rolled through Old Monroe, Mo where we live. Had the GP pulled up under the front overhang of the house to try and avoid cracking the new windshield, but with the garage bay blocked I had to leave the Bonne outside. Luckily the 1/2 dollar size hail didn't last long and no damage was done to the cars. I think I got my final warning to finish cleaning up the garages, lol..

These tree limbs missed the Bonne by 6 inches, less if you count the mirror. Took out the fence but I could care less about that. We're safe and no other damage was done. From the looks of the radar (and sky) at the time we were about 2 min away from me grabbing my Dal and us heading for the basement.





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...pskucyygrz.jpg

Not looking to take anybody to school really, but heres some facts about "self-etch" FYI.

Any self-etch available now hardly deserves the title. Try this test: Apply a wet coat of your chosen self etch. Wait a minute and wipe it off with thinner. Deos the metal look different, is it stained now? No? It should be if any acid etching has occurred. Rattle can etch is like dishwater but its better than nothing. I use it where the sun don't shine sometimes if its too time consuming to mix epoxy and the spot is small. But it has to be covered with paint, it won't stop moisture. I use SEM brand etch regularly but prefer U-POL, I think its stronger.

Before it was outlawed due to reproductive toxins and such, pro-grade etching primer was the stickin-est thing on the planet. It "bit" the metal ever so slightly. This was a fast-drying and often translucent product that used brick cleaning acid as catalyst. BAD for you, perfect for painting sanded chrome.

Epoxy is the modern solution for all Direct-to-Metal applications at pro level. Etch is the best you can do from the rattle can aisle. Check the instructions of the paint you intend to use, because in many cases as with SEM trim black, the topcoat product is recommended for use over bare metal substrates.

If you don't want something to chip, and you can't use catalyzed paint, my advice is to keep it as thin as possible. Painting chrome bumpers has worked out for me many times but I never tried a wheel. I don't think its possible to do a nice long lasting job on a plated wheel. Never seen that done, wheels see a lot of torture.

This stuff didn't do well on the nickle plate.

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/...ps60mxzyva.jpg

There is no plastic showing. these things sound like metal and sand the same.
All I have for roughing is some drywall 150 grit sanding screen. Seemed to scrub it good.
Man I really want some of that SEM now but alas.
Matt suggested thin enough coats to cover and it won't chip as bad. Before it would take a chunk.
I'm stuck about the primer type now. Plastidip lightly,black Rustoleum primer, some more of the Green self etching or
Fv(k it and just spray with some caliper paint.

Whats your thoughts on por 15? I have used it back in 02 and its holding really well

I did read something about soaking in 3 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part muratic acid to take the plating of the plastic.
I guess bleach works too, but slower.

I haven't used POR15 but Eastwood rust encapsulator is a similar product and lasts amazingly well even just by itself. I know of a truck wearing it for many years and its still black-ish and un-rusted.

We used it on a 73 camaro frame I will need to get you some pictures of it. We brushed it on and it stuck really well the only thing I will say is that it dont like brake fluid it will bubble. We had an engine stand rubbing on it for 2 years and didnt break through ththey clame that it will stop rust but I doubt that. Cover it yeah it does.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spazzz

I did read something about soaking in 3 parts hydrogen peroxide and 1 part muratic acid to take the plating of the plastic.
I guess bleach works too, but slower.

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If its not metal but plated plastic go easy with the sanding because if you cut through, its gonna shaggy up on ya. You might be dealing with a type of stainless, hmm. Does it hold heat like metal or like plastic? I mean if its stainless is might not attract a magnet. I'd stay away from trying to etch the plating if the grilles are plastic. Blasting would be a killer way to prep the parts but you don't want to blow them apart so that might be tough if they are plastic.

Well I have used the paint permoter it works ok as long as the part is not in the path of flying rocks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ericspecullaas

We used it on a 73 camaro frame I will need to get you some pictures of it. We brushed it on and it stuck really well the only thing I will say is that it dont like brake fluid it will bubble. We had an engine stand rubbing on it for 2 years and didnt break through ththey clame that it will stop rust but I doubt that. Cover it yeah it does.

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Its definitely best if a product like that is painted over, especially if exposed to well... anything including sun. I don't know what the stuff is made from but it sure is tough.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04...bf1bc875ca.jpg

Changed mah oil today. Also watched the poor car get pelted by some decent sized hail.. no damage done though.

Last strut came today, its weird tho. The top mount is different and the finish on the strut is different gloss vs matte. Here are some pics, but other than that they look the same. I would guess that with those differences and the way the sticker looks they were put together different or one is older or something. Either way, end of the month I'll order my brakes and get progress going.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04...dd88be62a6.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04...e2542b2af3.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04...cd1e68444e.jpg

POR15 is great. We use it in the off-road world for bumpers, frames etc. Holds up great, other than the already mentioned sunshine.

Last night I pulled my right front tire so I could disconnect the ABS wire. I can handle the ABS and TRAC light's being on, but the way the ABS cycled and freaked out before was brutal. Also removed my left front fog light to replace the peeling Piaa lens cover.

Rear struts are suppose to have diferent looking mounts.

They only fit one way into the tower, they are different between left and right.

Well I got a GXP spoiler and got it painted to match. I was looking around to see if I could get the OE gaskets and found this...

LOOK AT THE ****ING SHIPPING!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-GM-O...337912&vxp=mtr

only way you can get the gaskets is if you buy the spoiler. I think that's what this seller is doing unless he/she thinks your going to pay this outrageous amount for only the gasket.


I've already started making my own gaskets

Took my mark viii for it's first drive and the water pump went out then my differential locked up on my caravan I got the diff to unlock then got a water pump and swapped it out. Easy as pie to swap the water pump. It's fixed and good to go.

Bought the retro parts for the headlights. Need black housings to complete the front end

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...IMAG2591_1.jpg