Black Gold 380R's 65 Mustang Build Thread

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
15,913
Location
Central Fl
A paint booth of some sort would be really great, to provide that wanted cleaner air environment. Check this inflatable paint booth out; complete with air filter. $670. Wayfair.com - Inflatable Paint Booth

Large+Inflatable+Spray+Paint+Booth+Paint+Job+Tent+Mobile+Portable+20%27+X+10%27+X+8%27.jpg
damn, thats pretty cool
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
A paint booth of some sort would be really great, to provide that wanted cleaner air environment. Check this inflatable paint booth out; complete with air filter. $670. Wayfair.com - Inflatable Paint Booth

Large+Inflatable+Spray+Paint+Booth+Paint+Job+Tent+Mobile+Portable+20%27+X+10%27+X+8%27.jpg

Hey Bob.... That would be an awesome investment if I did more paint work as that's a great price. However, to pay almost $700 for a one time use and then sell it and have to ship it is a little more than I'm will to do at this point.

Oh, I just read the description. I would need to purchase 2 blowers to make this work. I found this one that came with the blowers for just a little more.


However, you did give me an idea. I just called a friend of mine who owns a body shop a few blocks from my house. He told me that once my car is finished, body work wise, to call him. He said he is willing to let me rent his paint booth for a weekend to paint my car.

I have not completely decided if I'm going to do that as he did say if I clean my garage well, lay down plastic on the floors and on the walls and set up some ventilation I could do it in my garage.

With his paint booth I have to get the car finished in 2 days. Not saying it's not possible, but I work slow and don't like being under a hard deadline. So, I have to view the pros and cons and then make a decision.
 
Last edited:

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Okay everyone,

I went in to the garage last night to test my theory on how to install my side stripes.

I am concerned about the stripes coming out straight this time. I do not want to make the same mistakes the body shop made.

So, I thought what better way to ensure they are straight than using a laser. So, I took out my laser level last night and got everything set up. I think it is going to work great! I'm excited now LOL.


I put a level on the door to make sure the car itself is level. It "looked" level to me, but the little bubble confirmed it.
20211026_213849.jpg


I had the camera crooked, but the car is level. The rear may be just a tad low, but the bubble is within the lines and this should not cause the stripes to be off. Besides, if no one noticed how bad they were last time they should be within spec this time :p .
20211026_213900.jpg


I also made sure my laser was level. When I first set it up the laser kept blinking. At first I though it was weak batteries, but after changing the batteries it kept blinking. I then realized the laser was tipped to far forward. So, although it was level side to side it was not level top to bottom. I got that fixed and it worked fine. Got to love modern technology telling you it is not set up properly :D.
20211026_213925.jpg


I used the body line in the door as my reference point. However, I will have to use the graphic in the fender when I do this for real.
20211026_213950.jpg


Wow, this is going to work great!
20211026_214009.jpg


Although I got the laser set up, I wanted to see how easy or hard it would be to layout the tape line. It wasn't hard at all. I put the tape below the laser at the front of the door. Then I unrolled the tape and kept it off the door. Then I lined up the tape at the end of the laser line and it went on straight. Very easy and quick.
20211026_215029.jpg


Man, look at how straight that tape line is. Can't wait to get these stripes installed.
20211026_215036.jpg


I know it is hard to see the laser in the photos above, but it's there LOL.
20211026_215121.jpg
 
Last edited:

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Hello Everyone,

Well, like always, I find myself getting deeper in the project than I anticipated LOL.

I was going to sand the roof and then work on the rear of the car to get it ready for paint. Well once I got the roof done I took a closer look at the trunk area. First, I did not like how the underside of the trunk was finished. I also did not like how he trunk jam was finished. I also noticed that there was some body filler that had shrunk and was loose. So, that needs to be addressed as well.

So, I decided to fix the underside of the trunk. Guess the other stuff will get addressed next weekend LOL.

Here is the roof after I finished sanding it. On Saturday I actually got the car finished off with 800 grit. Well, everything except the rear of the car. However, it is basically ready for paint.
20211031_084448.jpg


Here is the area of the trunk with the bad body filler. I dug it out. I'll sand it a little and then fill it with fiberglass filler next weekend.
20211031_084509.jpg


The trunk jam doesn't look too bad in this picture, but it does need to be addressed. I'm going to repaint the trunk lid hinges while I'm at it.
20211031_084522.jpg


Then on Sunday I got into this deck lid project. I forgot to take pictures of the underside as it was. This is after I ground off the trunk seal residue as the seal is glued on (you can see it's down to metal around the trunk edge) and then I sanded down all the rough paint.

They did a half ass job when they painted it Laser Red originally. You could still see the hot rod flat black in spots (you can still see it at the top portion of this picture). I swear, when people know it won't be seen they get lazy. Time to make it right. You know what they say if you want it done right LOL....
20211031_084434.jpg
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Okay, after I got the underside sanded it was time for the paint process.

Since I had to go down to bare metal I sprayed it with an epoxy primer. I used the same white epoxy primer I used on the underside of the car. Then I sprayed it with a high build 2K primer. Then it was paint and clear coat.

Here it is masked up and ready for epoxy primer.
20211031_110652.jpg


I forgot to take a picture in epoxy primer LOL. Here it is in high build 2K primer. You can see I was using the paper to test the spray pattern of my spray gun.
20211031_123943.jpg


Here it is in the first coat of Laser Red.
20211031_133514.jpg


2nd coat of Laser Red.
20211031_133542.jpg


And here it is after the clear coat is applied and dried enough for me to unmask it. I love spraying clear coat LOL. Sanding sucks, but spraying is fun LOL.
20211031_164148.jpg


Now, this is how it was supposed to look.
20211031_164210.jpg


VERY happy with the result. It's not perfect, but it is VERY good for the underside of the deck lid.
20211031_164248.jpg
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Looking really good, the constant forward progress is shows the amazing dedication and determination you put into it, the results speak for themselves.

Thank you Grabber! As always I appreciate you commenting on my build.

I was thinking about it the other day. I have been working on this car almost every weekend since May of 2020. I was wondering what I'm going to do with myself once this project is done and there is nothing in the garage for me to work on LOL.

I have thought about getting another project, but then I think about all the work I put into this car and I'm not sure I want to do this again LOL. Well, not to this level. I don't mind easier projects, but metal work, welding, cutting and fabricating is a little more than I want to do on a possible next project LOL. Then again after a 6 month break I may reevaluate LMAO.
 

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
105,355
Location
Cheshire, CT
Yes, the painting is awesome. Prep is beyond awesome. Just curious if you're keeping tracking of the time you've put into this project. Time well spent, of course, because the completed project is going to reflect what you've put into it. Now get back to work. LOL!
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Yes, the painting is awesome. Prep is beyond awesome. Just curious if you're keeping tracking of the time you've put into this project. Time well spent, of course, because the completed project is going to reflect what you've put into it. Now get back to work. LOL!

Thank you Bob! I was looking at some old pictures of the car. When it was done originally (2010) the paint looked amazing on the outside. Guess, that's why I didn't really look at the underside of the trunk or the bottom of the rocker panels when it came back from the paint shop LMAO!!!

Here are some pictures at a couple different car shows. Man, that paint pops. Hopefully I can get it back to that level when I'm done.
S4300022.JPG


S4300025.JPG


125.JPG


127.JPG



I have not really paid attention to my exact hours. However, based on your question I did some quick math. I work on this car on average 6 hours a day (sometimes more and sometimes less, so I average 6 hours a day). I work on the car every weekend unless there is a family emergency or I'm out of town. However, there are times I'm off work or it's a holiday and I make up the days lost.

So, I average 12 hours per weekend. Then I calculated 4 weekends a month. That equals approximately 48 hours a month. I started May of 2020 and have worked through October 2021. That equals 18 months I have been working on the car. So, 48 hours a month times 18 months equals 864 hours spent working on this car.

Last time I looked at this I calculated a labor cost of $75 per hour. I know depending on who you hire it could be more or it could be less, but I use $75 as an average. Also, a professional may do this faster than I can. So, again, my calculations are an average/estimate, not a factual number.

So, at $75 an hour times 864 hours I believe I have saved myself $64,800.

Then you add parts on top of that, what I paid my fabricator and what I paid my engine builder and I believe this car would cost me over 6 figures if I had someone else build it for me.

Damn, it's amazing when you look at the project from the numbers perspective :eek:...
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Okay everyone,

Been busting my hump trying to get this thing ready to paint. I worked on this car after work during the week (I normally don't do that LOL). I need to get it done to make space in the garage.

For those who remember my Dad has a 1957 T-Bird. He wants me to have it and I need the space in the garage to park it there. Time to speed up my build LOL.

After painting the underside of my trunk I knew I was going to repaint the jams as well.

Time to get cracking LOL. Since I was already working on the trunk I started there.

Here you can see the lip at the bottom of the rear window.
20211104_102903.jpg


Here is a closer look. This is BEFORE I even started sanding. Looks like S#!T!
20211104_102913.jpg


I got the old body filler out and filled the area with fiberglass filler. Then I sanded it.
20211104_104021.jpg


Once the fiberglass filler was shaped I then finished it off with body filler.
20211104_120053.jpg


After everything was sanded I masked it off to get it ready for primer. There were too many bad spots, so I had to shoot primer over it to give it an even coat.
20211104_142520.jpg


Okay primer laid down. Time to sand it with 400 and 600 grit.
20211104_145530.jpg


Okay primer finished up. Time for paint. SWEET!!!!
20211105_104246.jpg
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Next up was paint. I decided to do the taillight panel while I was there and because it's black, not body color.

Got the black laid out,
20211105_114004.jpg


Look at how smooth that basecoat laid down. This is just basecoat, no clear. VERY happy with the spray out.
20211105_114203.jpg


I got the taillight panel masked off and then sprayed the Laser Red. Took a little effort to cover the black over spray, but I got it.
20211105_151920.jpg


I started to unmask before I took a picture. Sorry, guess I got excited LMAO!!
20211105_151952.jpg


Now this is how it was supposed to be done by the body shop.
20211105_152007.jpg


Here is my repair area. Looks pretty good for something that won't be seen, unless the trunk it open LOL.
20211105_152042.jpg


Okay everything unmasked.
20211105_152608.jpg


Ready for clear coat now.
20211105_152751.jpg
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Next was clear coat. I was a little nervous as I've never sprayed a car before, only parts. I was worried I might hit the paint with the air hose or spray gun or lean on it or something. So, I was very careful.

Damn! It came out great!
20211105_170605.jpg


Got great coverage on the hinges.
20211105_170757.jpg


My repair area looks great.
20211105_170808.jpg


The whole thing looks really good.
20211105_170838.jpg


Love that gloss.
20211105_171044.jpg


And the area that started all this mess turned out great too.
20211105_171059.jpg


Look at that reflection. It's going to look amazing once I cut and buff it. Man I can't wait to spray the car now LOL.
20211105_170923.jpg
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
After I seen the results of the trunk jam I got motivated to get my door jams done. So, you know what was next LOL.

Holy crap is this a lot of work. I had to take everything apart to make sure nothing got over spray on it. So, I removed my back seat, my side panels, my rubber seals, my stainless steel roof track (where the upper seal for the window goes), my courtesy light switch, my kick panels and my door popper springs.

After doing all that I had to sand it by hand because there was no way my sander was getting into all those nooks and crannies. Jesus Christ my finger tips are gone LMAO!!

Then I had to tape it off. This was a big deal too as I had to tape it a certain way to get soft edges along the body lines and make sure the plastic keeps all the primer and paint out of my interior.

So, it took my 3 hours just to get it ready and 10 minuets to spray LOL. And that was ONE side only. Had to repeat the process on the passenger side.

To say I'm wore out is an understatement LMAO!!!

Here is the driver's side. Ready for primer.
20211106_130544.jpg


20211106_130610.jpg


I had to take the sill area almost all the way down as it had a lot of chips and they need to be sanded out or filled with spot putty. I decided to sand them out.
20211106_130604.jpg


Courtesy light switch area of the jam.
20211106_130556.jpg


Primer laid down.
20211106_161452.jpg


Looks really smooth. This should come out just as nice as the trunk jam.
20211106_161459.jpg


20211106_161505.jpg


I did the passenger side as well. This is where I stopped today. I'll get back on it tomorrow. However, I'll have to lay out the side stripes before I can paint this area because I need to paint part of the jam black so the stripes wrap inside.
20211106_161549.jpg


Just showing I had to wrap the complete door in plastic to protect it from over spray.
20211106_130639.jpg
 

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
105,355
Location
Cheshire, CT
Thank you Bob! I was looking at some old pictures of the car. When it was done originally (2010) the paint looked amazing on the outside. Guess, that's why I didn't really look at the underside of the trunk or the bottom of the rocker panels when it came back from the paint shop LMAO!!!

Here are some pictures at a couple different car shows. Man, that paint pops. Hopefully I can get it back to that level when I'm done.
View attachment 1726180

View attachment 1726181

View attachment 1726182

View attachment 1726183


I have not really paid attention to my exact hours. However, based on your question I did some quick math. I work on this car on average 6 hours a day (sometimes more and sometimes less, so I average 6 hours a day). I work on the car every weekend unless there is a family emergency or I'm out of town. However, there are times I'm off work or it's a holiday and I make up the days lost.

So, I average 12 hours per weekend. Then I calculated 4 weekends a month. That equals approximately 48 hours a month. I started May of 2020 and have worked through October 2021. That equals 18 months I have been working on the car. So, 48 hours a month times 18 months equals 864 hours spent working on this car.

Last time I looked at this I calculated a labor cost of $75 per hour. I know depending on who you hire it could be more or it could be less, but I use $75 as an average. Also, a professional may do this faster than I can. So, again, my calculations are an average/estimate, not a factual number.

So, at $75 an hour times 864 hours I believe I have saved myself $64,800.

Then you add parts on top of that, what I paid my fabricator and what I paid my engine builder and I believe this car would cost me over 6 figures if I had someone else build it for me.

Damn, it's amazing when you look at the project from the numbers perspective :eek:...
Yeah, sometimes you'll hear a commentator at a Mecum auction mention that a car on the block had (like) $95K invested in it but the car sold for, say, $60K. Very possible that much/most of that $95K was likely time in the owner's shop and not money paid out to someone else to do the work. But when you do calculate your time alone, it's eye opening to discover what that time equates to in dollars, and how much money you saved doing it yourself. Not to mention you know that you were meticulous to a higher level than most shops would do.

That old paint DOES look mighty nice. I'm sure your new paint will even exceed that. So you decided to do the painting in your own prepped garage. Everything looks awesome to date.
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
That old paint DOES look mighty nice. I'm sure your new paint will even exceed that. So you decided to do the painting in your own prepped garage. Everything looks awesome to date.

Yes sir. I looked into it and buying an inflatable spray booth was not cost justified for me. Also, the logistics involved in taking my car to my friends body shop and renting his spray booth was also not justified.

So, I figured I would turn my garage into a make shift spray booth when it comes time to spray the body. The jams only need a clean environment, but not a spray booth environment to be painted.

Once the jams are completed I will clear out my garage, clean it really well and turn it in to a make shift spray booth. At that time I will completely unmask the car and give it a final cleaning. Then I'll re-mask it and paint it. It should come out very nice. And any dirt that gets in the paint can be sanded out. It may take a little more work than if it were painted in a spray booth, but the end results should be the same.
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Okay, I got the black sprayed for the side stripes.

I swear, sanding sucks, but masking is almost just as bad. Sanding is physical labor and masking is so tedious LOL. Trying to figure how to tape so you keep paint out of areas you don't want it while keeping the paint lines smooth is so damn time consuming.

It took me all day to do this and of that time it only took me 30 minuets to spray. And it only took that long because I had to wait for the paint to flash before applying the next coat LOL.

Got everything masked up.
20211107_131519.jpg


I created the wrap around pocket so the side stripes go into the car.
20211107_131550.jpg


The trick here was to mask everything so I had complete coverage, but could still open and close the door.
20211107_131600.jpg


Got the black laid down on the outside. Very happy with the results of the base coat.
20211107_143107.jpg


Driver's side looks great too.
20211107_143142.jpg


Here is the inside where the stripe will wrap around and into the car.
20211107_143224.jpg


I made sure to get the inside lip of the QTR panel as well.
20211107_143258.jpg


I even got the front inside portion of the rocker panel. I want to make sure you don't see any breaks in the stripes except for the panel breaks.
20211107_143329.jpg
 

CobraBob

Authorized Vendor
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
105,355
Location
Cheshire, CT
Yes sir. I looked into it and buying an inflatable spray booth was not cost justified for me. Also, the logistics involved in taking my car to my friends body shop and renting his spray booth was also not justified.

So, I figured I would turn my garage into a make shift spray booth when it comes time to spray the body. The jams only need a clean environment, but not a spray booth environment to be painted.

Once the jams are completed I will clear out my garage, clean it really well and turn it in to a make shift spray booth. At that time I will completely unmask the car and give it a final cleaning. Then I'll re-mask it and paint it. It should come out very nice. And any dirt that gets in the paint can be sanded out. It may take a little more work than if it were painted in a spray booth, but the end results should be the same.
Totally understand why you decided to forego the inflatable spray booth. If you were painting multiple cars it would make more sense, cost-wise. You did a really nice job with the masking (and sanding)!
 

Black Gold 380R

Multiple SVT Collector
Established Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
5,586
Location
El Paso, TX
Totally understand why you decided to forego the inflatable spray booth. If you were painting multiple cars it would make more sense, cost-wise. You did a really nice job with the masking (and sanding)!

Thanks Bob! I'm really hoping all the really hard labor is behind me. Now it should just be minimal masking, some cleaning/wax and grease remover and spraying color and clear coat.

My plan is on Veterans Day I'll put the fenders on and lay out the stripes. Then next weekend I'll paint and clear the door jams. Then all that will be left is to paint and clear the car. Hoping to have that done over Thanksgiving weekend as the weekend before I'll be thoroughly cleaning the garage and laying down plastic on the floors and walls.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top