Getting started - advice sought...

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:42 pm

Hello folks,
My all original, FB wagon (special) has a few minor dings and one or two small patches of superficial rust. The paint job is in pretty good condition, but definitely wearing thin... The interior vinyl is shabby...

I want to do right by Kevin, and invest my $900 into the revitalisation of my iconic 4 wheel piece of Australian motoring history. Unfortunately, I don't know how to go about it, how long it might take (this is my daily driver, so I don't want it out of action for too long if possible) or how much it might cost. I am looking for some general advice - especially from people in the Melbourne area who may be able to recommend Melbourne panel beaters, painters and upholsters.

I have just located the 'suppliers & services' list, which is a good start, so thanks for posting it...

Cal · Post by **Cal** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:33 pm

You're sort of in the same boat as me. Mine's got a half decent paintjob, but has a few dings and small rust spots which are annoying coz whoever fixed/painted them previously was blind.

.

I'd fix the interior first. Things like paint and rust (depending where and how much) can wait.

From what painters, mechanics, upholsteres , etc charge nowadays......don't expect uncle Kev's 900 bucks to go very far.

Post by **Blacky** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:36 pm

Welcome to the family Bonkers, if you are going to do the interior first then I would at least treat whatever rust you can to stop it getting any worse - especially as you are a poor unfortunate Victorian who has to endure those long wet winters unlike us lucky sandgropers who have bewdiful weather nearly all the time

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:12 pm

Blacky wrote:- especially as you are a poor unfortunate Victorian who has to endure those long wet winters unlike us lucky sandgropers who have bewdiful weather nearly all the time

And here I am thinking we are in our worst drought in ten years or more....

Melbourne's a big place Bonkers do you want to be a bit more specific or are you prepared to drive all over Melbourne, by the way welcome.

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:43 pm

ok, well... I'm not too sure how to reply to multiple posts at once, maybe this will work...

1. No, I imagine the $900 won't go too far, but it has given me the impetus to look into what needs doing and attempt to work out what the total bill might amount to - I can then crack open my piggy bank.

2. I'm in Fitzroy but am prepared to drive all over if the workmanship comes recommended.

3. The car is originally from sunny Scarbrough, Perth and it only started deteriorating since moving to Melbourne (I was without a garage for a year

)

4. If I were to do the upholstery first, is it at risk when the body gets treated later? My ceiling lining is fine, but door skins and seats are rubbish.

5. If I were to do the rust first - should I re-paint the whole exterior (considering the roof paint is very thin) afterwards or is it possible to just paint the bits that need it? Maybe someone needs to examine it first before this can be known? Any suggestions?

Sorry - lots of questions - and thanks for your responses - you're so quick!
And thanks for having me...

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:16 pm

If it is of any consequence, these are the 2 rust spots I'm concerned about - Rear window sill and rear wheel arch...

Would these be repaired by cutting the metal out and welding in a new preformed bit of metal? I don't want any bog/filler to be used, but they're kind of awkward shaped parts of the car...

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:28 pm

Welcome Bonkers, If you do the interior first I would recommend you find a second hand set of seats that you can get done while you keep it on the road.
Do you want it original? If not I can recommend an upholsterer that does a really good job at a very good price, Trev

.

DNA · Post by **DNA** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:30 pm

this totally depends on if the car is your daily.........

if it is I would work like this...........

1. rust cut out and section primer
2. re-do the interior (this comes out for a repaint)
3. driiiive it..........drive it and enjoy it.........
4. Repaint/Bodywork (undoutebly the most expensive thing)

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:13 pm

Trev wrote:Welcome Bonkers, .

Thank you Trev.

Trev wrote:If you do the interior first I would recommend you find a second hand set of seats that you can get done while you keep it on the road.
Do you want it original? If not I can recommend an upholsterer that does a really good job at a very good price, Trev .

Brilliant - for some reason I have a spare front seat, so can use that whilst the original front and rear seats are done.

I am keen to use the star embossed vinyl if possible - those little stars were what made me buy my car in the first place (along with the pink and the chrome and the fins and the Little Nipper, and the dash, and the coily horn,...so many reasons.) Is the original vinyl more expensive than regular? I'm happy to mix and match - but the stars ideally remain...

Would 'your man' do this? Does he do door skins too? Maybe I should call him?

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:26 pm

DNA wrote:this totally depends on if the car is your daily.........

I guess it's better described as 'my only' not really 'my daily' - I cycle to work and only take the Holden out in evenings or on weekends. I don't want it to be off the road for too long.

DNA wrote:if it is I would work like this...........
1. rust cut out and section primer
2. re-do the interior (this comes out for a repaint)
3. driiiive it..........drive it and enjoy it.........
4. Repaint/Bodywork (undoutebly the most expensive thing)

This sounds like a sensible plan. My main concern is that I keep the car in good order - as long as the rust is repaired/cut, out I don't mind if it is a bit blotchy until the pig bank fills up again.

Any central-Melbourne recommendations for bodywork?[/i]

Devilrod · Post by **Devilrod** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:03 pm

Sounds like it'll turn into a ground up rebuild if you're not careful

They always do....

I'd do the rust repair first and blend in a bit of colour over the repair to make it last longer. Or go full respray but panel shops seem to take longer than they say

Although if they are good they are worth the wait! Once all bodywork is complete then do the retrim. Less chance of damaging anything that way. As for the stars I'm not too familiar with resto work, got any pics. Original material is not too easy to come by but can be found if you look really hard.

I can recommend a panel shop in Braeside, Gollings Smash Repairs. None any closer in though...

Cal · Post by **Cal** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:23 pm

Judging by some of the quotes I've had for a full respray, you'll need a fair few of Uncle Kev's cheques

Finny · Post by **Finny** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:12 am

I'd agree with doing the body and rust. But it depends what you value more.

Rust keeps growing, especially if it's getting wet. More metal slowing disappearing, and it doesn;t grow back by itself.

Cut it out, fix it up and do a temporary paint cover. Then later you can get a full paint job, when the funds are available.

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:42 pm

Finny wrote: Cut it out, fix it up and do a temporary paint cover. Then later you can get a full paint job, when the funds are available.

This is what I have decided to do. I'll eliminate the rust - do the temporary paint job on the repaired spots, and still get some aesthetic satisfaction by having the interior upholstery refreshed.

Thanks all for your thoughts and suggestions.

Trev, do you have your upholsterers details handy? I'd like to have a word with them if I may...

I've had Gollings Smash Repairs, Braeside recommended - does anyone know of anmore centrally located, old holden loving body shop?

Bonkers · Post by **Bonkers** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:14 am

Can anyone recommend a body shop that closer to Melbourne CBD than Braeside?

Thanks.

fbekholden.com

Getting started - advice sought...

Getting started - advice sought...

Re: Getting started - advice sought...