#81 ready for primer and paint!!!

[pjkaiser]

It has been a long time since talking about my Darrin body.   A few years ago, we put on three layers of fiberglass on the bottom.  I've been a while getting some parts ready and making other fiberglass parts.   The body is so rigid it needs no bracing.  We just turned it over yesterday and we are getting ready to prime in a couple of days.  All the metal parts and the air dam have been primed with a red primer to more closely match the final color.  We will use a black fiberglass primer (it soaks into the fiberglass and strengthens it) for the parts and body that will be painted black.   I will keep the pictures coming as we make progress.   The top is 95% done and will be ready for paint when we finish the bottom.

You can see the premiered seats in the back ground of one of the pictures.

We are making good progress.   Will let you know more at the Nationals!!

[MarkH]

Lots of work, coming along nicely!

[pjkaiser]

I have had the Darrin Jr. Painted the same color as my full size.  Kosmos Red from House of Color, with White interior, all my choices!!!

The Second picture is when the body was still on its top with the painted fenders and air intake, I know it should be the color of the Car, yet again, all my choices.    I believe it will look better that way.

The third picture is the body on its side so we can paint the engine compartment, passenger compartment and trunk area easier than any of the other positions.   The body is resting on two movers pads folded over many times and enclosed in plastic so the area can be wet down the driveway before painting.   This is all being done in my front of my garage behind a high gate.   All fiberglass surfaces will be painted, even under the areas that don't usually get painted.   I want the fiberglass sealed.

The fourth picture is the bottom of the car body with enough room to get to the bottom of the engine compartment.

All the small brackets, etc have been painted, tumbled and Zinc plated and all my chrome pieces went to the Chromer last Thursday (6 weeks before done).   Moving right along.   

Once the body is painted, I will send it to the upholsterer.   I should be able to assemble most of the parts on the body before putting it on the frame.

The frame and drivetrain will be next!! 

The next pictures will be of these three areas painted!!!!

I found 4" air ducts through Custom Corvette, a shop near me.   They are about 6" to short so I will add those inches from a third tube and the seam will be under the air duct holder nearest the vents, just perfect.  These are made for the early Corvettes and have been made like the old ones are made and are ok for Corvette restorations.

[MarkH]

Progress is good!
Did you do your zinc or send it out?

[pjkaiser]

I sent the parts to be tumbled first, then Zinc coated.   These parts look great, especially the cables!!!  The tumbling really makes them look shiny.   I have a home zinc coater but it doesn't work that well, not after seeing what comes from the parts that have been tumbled first.

I have included a picture of the emergency brake cable, it looks better than new!!

[joefrazer]

They look great. Where did you send them...you've got me thinking mine need done.

[MarkH]

Those look great!
I've been zinc plating my fasteners semi-bright, and some parts small enough to make it through the 1 1/2 gal buckets. Time consuming but it does look nice finished.

[pjkaiser]

Larry, the tumbler I used, is retiring this October.   They are hard to find, it's a dirty and loud business.  He had the contacts to the Zinc Plater.   Tumbling gives the parts the nice finished look, if you sand blast them, the parts are too rough to look good plated.  I even did the spring on the hood latch.

I included a picture of the hood latch!!   I hope the finish comes through the picture.

[MarkH]

That's nice, looks brand new.

[darrin502]

How much do you think the body will weigh when you are done?
Was about 300 lbs from the factory.
Lee

[pjkaiser]

I’m thinking about 400#’s, since I added about 100#’s of fiberglass under the body.   I may
weigh the body as it sits.  Will let you know.

[pjkaiser]

I thought I would send  pictures of some of the parts that were painted the body color.   We had over 180 small black parts done at the rate of 30 - 35 at a time.   This is the second of four paint sessions (Due to the fact it is in my driveway) to finish the smaller red (body color) pieces.  Then it is on to the larger pieces, like the Hood, Trunk and Top Cover.  Then the doors and dash etc.....

I am going to pick up the chrome pieces tomorrow, will show pictures when I get them.

There is a light at the end of this tunnel (for the body and I can see it!!!!

[pjkaiser]

Well, I've had a few setbacks, blisters, etc.  in some of the fiberglass work I did that showed up when these were primered.   Now we are back on track.

My painter had to reprime the parts shown and now they are painted (on one side) after much sanding and preparation.   What is next is wet sanding and buffing!!  On the to engine compartment etc.!!!  Remember, I am doing this in my driveway.

As an added BONUS is the candy dispenser (1985 as listed on the casting) that was being thrown away.   My wife were walking around the block, as we usually do, and this was in a yard to be given away for free.    I took it apart, cleaned and prepared it for paint, then had my painter use the Darrin colors.  It came out quite well!!  The bottom unscrews from top easily for transport.   I will take it with me to the Laguna Beach Rotary Car Show tomorrow.

[darrin502]

Wow looks great
Lee

[MarkH]

Color...………. huge milestone...…….. beautiful!