Hoffy1039
Precision Fit
Hey DaveYour rebuild progress in extremely enlightening and detailed. You are well beyond my aspirations for vehicle improvements. I hope you don't mind entertaining a few less intensive restoration questions.
- Prior to applying the Xion Lab treatment, did you wire brush or grind off as much surface rust as "easily" possible? (PS - I do like the look of the "Lady in red")
- Did you consider and rule out using POR15 and/or Gravitex for the under carriage?
- Where did you source your floor pans from? Satisfied with them?
- Where did you source your 3-point seat-belts from? Satisfied with them?
I'll continue to follow your resto/build with interest.
Cheers,
Dave
PS - As I'm typing this UPS delivered my first resto part for my J300. Suspense... I'll start a thread, hopefully tomorrow, on my journey with the J300. Same bat channel- different bat time, er- different bat thread. (Not to be confused with BaT $$$)
Will attempt to answer as completely as I can " Recall " on your questions. This was my first ever vehicle rebuild project ( age 67 ) and haven't done a lot of veh. mech works since I was in my 20's, so a lot of what I have done ( or procedures followed ) had to do with lots of reading and research on products available and techniques/tactics described on this and other related forums. That said...my first issue involved " chasing the rust and deciding on available replacement panels rather than trying to individually cut, form, and patch areas in need - except for smaller, hidden and less structural needed spots. I went with the usual outlets, Willys America ( very slow shipping ) to Walcks and Kaiser ( both had good selection and fast shipping ). As stated in this forum by many, replacement panels are not exact, and require a fair amount of " adjustment " to make do, but, given time and thot, even I ( definitely not a body and fender man or great at detail ) got it done.
In regards to the Xion Lab rust convertor, It was just a whim to go with it instead of the POR 15. I felt that it had an easier application process detailed ie: basic removal of any flaking rust, light brushing and wipe down of surface rust areas, and could be applied to a wet surface. I went over the frame, interior and exterior body areas with a drill wire and hand brush, air hose, and then pressure washed the frame ( hand wipe interior/exterior body panels ). Applied the Xion Lab with brush ( and made some long wire handled paint " daubers " from cut down roller brushes ) to run down boxed in area's of frame and body cavities. Surfaces were still damp, and the convertor went on well, great coverage, and 6 months later, work on coated areas has me convinced that Xion Lab coverage is 110% great stuff. Area's that I had to come back to ( switching from orig motor to the V-6 ) for welding in motor mounts etc. requires grinding off the Xion Lab coating to get to bare metal, and you really need to grind it off to get it off! Only complaint is the red has a tendency to show thru any other painted surface ( black undercoating ). You will see over time where you undercoated a little lightly. As I finish on the frame and get ready for a " final reset " of the body to the frame, I will re-coat another layer of undercoat paint...just because of the knicks and dings I put in the original black undercoat.
Just FYI, I did purchase and have used the POR 15 Seam Sealer ( went over my weld joints on floor-pan and other points ) and am pleased with the results. Think I have a pretty air-tight ( well, hopefully watertight ) pan area.
I read the forum articles on the seat belt install, and followed those leads. THINK I got the retractable 3Pt system from Walcks or Kaiser, can't find my PO for them, but think they are listed on those sites. Fairly easy install, and I bolted them down to hardpoints that I made and am very happy with.
One thing I noticed ( and it caused some original heartburn ) is that everyone has ( and is more then entitled to ) their personal thot and opinions on the " best way to go". But when I was trying to determine " my way ", it was head-scratching to say the least on which way I should go on addressing a specific issue. Overall, there's a lot of help on these forums, but final decision is yours!
It's fun and interesting, and suprising how much you choose to " spend " to do it right. I have no issue spending less on the cosmetic decisions, but mechanically and structurally, I have spent the $$.
Have fun, take lots of pics, and post often, everyone seems to enjoy watching others build one up!