1972 Buick Skylark GS Convertible restoration

1972 Buick Skylark GS Convertible restoration

Kust saab mis-iganes-asja? Kes teeb mis-iganes-tööd?
Vasta
r
RIXCAR
Foorumi kasutaja
Postitusi: 7
Liitunud: 29 Jaan 2014 16:04
Asukoht: Latvia

1972 Buick Skylark GS Convertible restoration

Postitus Postitas RIXCAR »

This is a story about restoration that was done by RIXCAR, a vehicle painting and restoration workshop located in Riga, Latvia. Our previous projects include such cars as BMW E24 M6, Ford Thunderbird, Studebaker Golden Hawk and many other American and European classics.

Here You can see body restoration process of 1972 Buick Skylark GS Convertible that was brought to us from Norway.

Pilt

Pilt

The car wasn't in it's worst shape when arrived. It looked visually good from a distance but had a plenty of imperfections when inspected more closely - such as filler cracks, rust and uneven gaps between parts.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

The process starts by inspection - evaluating the condition of car and disassembling it.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

First, we removed all the body trim and started stripping off the old paint.

Pilt

Pilt

It is a common thing to encounter unpleasant surprises during this stage of restoration. This time - both rear fenders were basically made out of putty.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Also, some of the body panels were warped and the shape was given using filler putty. For example, the trunk lid.

Pilt

This is how it looked without paint and body filler. We continued disassembling the car by removing the convertible roof and interior.

Pilt

Pilt

It is obvious, that body panel gap adjustments had to be done.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

All the parts are marked during disassembling process to save the assembling time afterwards.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

After removing old paint and filler materials, we sandblasted all the hard-to-reach and rust damaged areas.

Pilt

Pilt

Then treated the whole body with epoxy primer to avoid rust appearance on bare metal during restoration works. And all the areas that needed welding or straightening were marked.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

As you can see, the trunk lid was in a really bad shape.

Pilt

The front grille had lost some pieces during the years and had to be restored.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Doors had rust damage which we cut out and replaced by a patch that was fabricated from multiple pieces. Also, the inside of door was sandblasted and primed with epoxy primer to avoid further rust appearance.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

We leaded because it is more durable than using filler putty.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

The front left corner of body under front fender was rusted through all tree layers of metal.

Pilt

All the layers were cut out.

Pilt

Damaged areas sandblasted and primed.

Pilt

Pilt

We fabricate new patches not only to recover original shape of body, but also the functionality.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

The panel under the front windshield was also rusted through and had to be replaced by hand made fragments.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

After the body works were finished, the car was being prepared for painting. Fist comes a layer of spray putty to smooth out all of the small imperfections of metal. After the layer of putty is sanded and the final shape of body is achieved, comes a layer of primer.

Pilt

Then, to ensure the body had the right shape and smoothness, we covered the whole car with a layer of acrylic black test paint which highlights all the irregularities. In this case everything was done right and no additional adjustments were needed.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

After ensuring the quality of all the parts, the car was left in a warm place for all materials to sit, after which final preparation works are being done and the car is painted. In a cloudy weather this new paint looks black, but when the sun starts shining, purple metallic particles enrich the paint.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

The assembling process could now begin.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

During assembling process we treated all the internal cavities with anti-rust materials.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

There were few dust particles in the clear coat so we inspected the whole body and cut all the particles out.

Pilt

When the body and interior were fully assembled, it was time to do some testing.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

And after some final polishing the car was ready to meet it's owner.

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

Pilt

The car was placed on a trailer and safely brought back to Norway. The body restoration and painting process took over 4 months.

Pilt

Pilt

Also, here is a short video with an insight into the restoration process and feedback from our client about this Buick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7nrNcFMTY

Hopefully this material was inspiring and interesting, more projects coming soon.
Meanwhile feel free to take a look at our Facebook page or homepage to see other projects.
Vasta