88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
#1
88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Finally started the fun fun body work on my beloved car
The PO was a drunk,wrecked the car 4 times according to car fax. Driver side fender was covered in deep gouges and scratches,dents everywhere of course. Door was covered in dents,and some signs of rust were begging to show. Driver side quarter...oh boy. Where to begin? Dented and damaged like crazy. All the metal surrounding the wheel well and the body line were dented in a good 3 inches. All un even and almost impossible to even out. The metal below the rear side marker and and next to the bumper was dented in quite a bit. You can see in my old pictures how uneven the ground effect was with the bumper. The rear bumper was just destroyed,But my dad still repaired it.It wasnt a full lost cause! Passenger side was mainly just rock chips everywhere due to some very Kind A$$hole doing a burnout next to the car. Dent on the sail panel body line,one on the door. Not too bad
Turning out great so far. The Driver side is almost done. And for your information the spoiler is off because we are putting on a 4th gen one.
Thank the car Gods for Evercoat![lol](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/531048_404413572903084_100000033358416_1589215_129754274_n.jpg)
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![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/553785_404413699569738_100000033358416_1589221_1554901084_n.jpg)
Nice and even<3
![Big Grin](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Turning out great so far. The Driver side is almost done. And for your information the spoiler is off because we are putting on a 4th gen one.
Thank the car Gods for Evercoat
![lol](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/531048_404413572903084_100000033358416_1589215_129754274_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/575927_404413602903081_100000033358416_1589216_1166109627_n.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/578688_404413666236408_100000033358416_1589219_1382021068_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/529090_404413682903073_100000033358416_1589220_370392187_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/553785_404413699569738_100000033358416_1589221_1554901084_n.jpg)
Nice and even<3
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/561371_404413782903063_100000033358416_1589225_1959489917_n.jpg)
#4
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Car: 1986 Trans-Am
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Your body work likes like its coming along pretty good. Are you going to repaint it the same color?
#5
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Car: 1991 camaro vert
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
take off your window sweeps unless u plan on buying new ones.. one good hit with the sander and there toast.. other then that i would work in one area get it straight and move on to the next.. trying to do all of it at once is like trying to mow a 25 acre lot with a push mower in one day..
#7
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
A lot of good progress lately.Got the entire car sanded down.All dents fixed,almost all blemishes filled. Rear bumpers fixed,much more to come. Picked up a 4th Gen spoiler in GREAT condition today for 100 bucks. Guy also had his own little 4th gen project. The spoiler was off a donor car. Heres some pics.Also polished my tail lights. Wet sanded with 1500 then 2000 and buffed with 3m plastic cleaner and plastic polish
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/522249_405847836092991_100000033358416_1592989_1304904890_n.jpghttp://)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523318_405847939426314_100000033358416_1592992_2140675629_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/579025_405847679426340_100000033358416_1592984_1716797474_n.jpg)
Not bolted in yet
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/528834_405847792759662_100000033358416_1592987_1943816816_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/535768_405847699426338_1295582551_n.jpghttp://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/535768_405847699426338_1295582551_n.jpg)
ANd heres the guys project trans am. 95 vert with an lt1.Only a FEW mods.
![](https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/559514_405803962764045_100000033358416_1592902_740229335_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523318_405847939426314_100000033358416_1592992_2140675629_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/579025_405847679426340_100000033358416_1592984_1716797474_n.jpg)
Not bolted in yet
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/528834_405847792759662_100000033358416_1592987_1943816816_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/535768_405847699426338_1295582551_n.jpghttp://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/535768_405847699426338_1295582551_n.jpg)
ANd heres the guys project trans am. 95 vert with an lt1.Only a FEW mods.
![](https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/559514_405803962764045_100000033358416_1592902_740229335_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/522148_405804196097355_100000033358416_1592903_313705776_n.jpg)
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#8
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Your opinions and thoughts are welcome but i know this will get a lot of people pretty upset. The phrase "Once you go black,you never go back" isnt entirely true. Heres is what were aiming for the car to look like when it is complete.
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577230_407056879305420_100000033358416_1596237_1500618363_n.jpg)
Just imagine this one with my fender vent,the cowl hood,the stock black Trans am/Phoenix decals,and smoked marker lights.
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577230_407056879305420_100000033358416_1596237_1500618363_n.jpg)
Just imagine this one with my fender vent,the cowl hood,the stock black Trans am/Phoenix decals,and smoked marker lights.
#9
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Car: 1991 camaro vert
Engine: ls1 soon
Transmission: t56 soon
Axle/Gears: moser 12bolt 4.10 soon!
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
i believe the sweeps come off with a screw or 2 behind the window.. might have to take the window out to get to im not sure.. i would just put a few good layers of tap on it starting from underneath it.. as for the white it looks sick.. really interested in the 4th gen spoiler as im going to do the same to mine.. and i wouldnt do the phoenix decals.. i feel thats more for the second and first gen trans am but to each his own.. im still trying to debate on a color for mine as its primer right now
#10
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Car: 1986 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 5.0 TPI
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Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Is that an Avenged Sevenfold decal on your hatch?
#11
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
i believe the sweeps come off with a screw or 2 behind the window.. might have to take the window out to get to im not sure.. i would just put a few good layers of tap on it starting from underneath it.. as for the white it looks sick.. really interested in the 4th gen spoiler as im going to do the same to mine.. and i wouldnt do the phoenix decals.. i feel thats more for the second and first gen trans am but to each his own.. im still trying to debate on a color for mine as its primer right now
#13
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Sanded the whole passenger side down today. Took off the door handles. Got the 4th spoiler almost perfect. Still gotta make centerpost extensions. Painted the door jams as well.
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/522591_407806055897169_131941589_n.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/s720x720/37037_407806085897166_100000033358416_1598256_446127767_n.jpg)
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THe door vents are off because theyre gonna be black still. Love the color!
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/522591_407806055897169_131941589_n.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/s720x720/37037_407806085897166_100000033358416_1598256_446127767_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/523153_407806109230497_100000033358416_1598257_1552286693_n.jpg)
![](https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/533086_407806135897161_100000033358416_1598258_347248990_n.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/526067_407806165897158_100000033358416_1598259_799184134_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/558643_407806195897155_100000033358416_1598260_1573437218_n.jpg)
THe door vents are off because theyre gonna be black still. Love the color!
#14
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Car: 88 Formula 350
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
White is a really easy color to maintain... I will not own another black car... (Currently have a Black STi out here in Japan.)
On top of white being an awesome color, you can literally rock a ton of different style/color wheels... White is just a great color for a car.
On top of white being an awesome color, you can literally rock a ton of different style/color wheels... White is just a great color for a car.
#17
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Your dream car coming to life. Keep up on your pic posting.
#20
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
The PO had a very very hard time keeping it between the ditches. Keep us up to date.
#21
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Haha aint that the truth! According to what we know,he drove it drunk a few times. And yep ill keep ya posted. Posting pics soon of the decklid done with the 4th gen spoiler on it,as well as the finished rear quarter
#23
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
OH ya I like the rear deck with spoiler, nice work on getting it to fit like it was made to be there.
#26
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Don't half this thing. Take EVERYTHING OFF. Especially if you're doing a color change. You'll never get a good coat on the inside of the side mirrors, and there's a gasket between the mirror and the body that should show as black between the white of the door and the mirror. Pull off the striker, everything that will come off. Loosen your bumper covers and pull them back if you're not removing them.
I'd even pull the doors if I were changing color.
I'd even pull the doors if I were changing color.
#27
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Got two coats on it tonight. Wet sand and possibly two more coats tomorrow. Had a hard time dialing in just the right settings on the gun? Its the purple gun from harbor freight. But I am liking it so far! Way nicer than I thought I could do in the garage. Ill take some more shots tomorrow after the wet sand.
#28
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Thanks for the update I was wondering about you and your project.
#30
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Wow! Looks fantastic. Can't even believe it's the same car anymore. Any plans for wheels or are you sticking with the black crosslace ones?
#32
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
So what did you do to paint your jams and the insides of your doors? This is the only thing really keeping me from changing the color of my car. Your car has come a long way, especially with all that previous damage!
#35
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Car: 89 GTA
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Wow that looks bad*ss. Lets get that thing out in daylight and to Thirdgen Fest.
#38
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
All i have to say is WOW!!! Always inspirational to see these repaint threads....great job man look foward to seeing more pics
#39
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
how did you attach the spoiler to the trim around the glass and to the deck lid? what did you use for spacers?
#40
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
If you look at post #15 there's a pic of the post with the spacer. I used a 1x4 cut close to the size. Then drilled a 1/4 hole in the center. Then used a router to make a larger hole 3/4 through the wood to fit a nut on the stud. Tightened the wood to the post and shaped it with a sander. I also put a 1/4" shim on the back of the spacer to level it with the deck lid. Covered it with Evercoat fibertec and sanded. The wings are sanded down a little to fit better. Thanks for all the compliments.
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Car: 89 GTA
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Looking good! I can't believe the transformation this car has gone through. So quickly too.
#46
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Car: 85z28(sold),91 rs, 15'Mazda3GT
Engine: 5.7L V8 350 (ZZ4)
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Just curious why you didn't cover anything in the garage? Isn't it suppose to be clean? (no offense because I wanna paint my car in couple months after rebuilding engine and upgrade suspension. So I'm on a budget for a paint booth or not, although i found out I can cover things with $3 12x20 plastic sheets from lowe.) Also another random but how do you start a thread? Like I need baby steps to do it because I wanna show my process of building thread
![Smilie](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#47
Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
haha we didnt really cover anything becuase we didnt care too much,we only had the garage door a quarter open and a fan underneath the door. And well click on Third Generation F-Body Message Board
and find the subject you want to post a thread in. Click on that title and on the top left corner it will say new thread,Click on it and its just common knowledge from there
and find the subject you want to post a thread in. Click on that title and on the top left corner it will say new thread,Click on it and its just common knowledge from there
#48
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Car: 1987 Pontiac Trans Am
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
Beautiful car, man! Very inspirational! I have a 87 TA, im in the same exact boat, other than mine didn't have as much damage, just common rust, and ...air craft paint stripper crap. I don't have a garage though. I should start a post and keep up with my progress too. Can't hur for some constructive critisism from the third gen pros on here. Plus I love the tips and tricks and advice from everyone.
#49
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Car: 1987 Pontiac Trans Am
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
I don't mean to try to rob this thread, hope you don't get mad. I spent the whole day today, doing body work on my TA, here's a couple questions to anyone who might know: I need to figure out the easiest way to remove my door panels, so I can take off my door handles and lock cylinders to remove surface rust around them. I also need to figure out a way to remove my rear ground effects, the ones in front of the rear bumper, and the ones that go under the doors, I got the passenger door ground effect off, but the driver one's bolts do not look like they are going to want to turn....very old. Rear bumper wasn't bad, only managed to break one of those many plastic clips that hold it on. And one last thing for now, I attempted to remove my wrap around spoiler a while back, so i can clean up the surface rust underneath it on the deck lid, bus I was only able to remove one bolt, the other one, I feel like I stripped it on the inside, it just spins and spins now. I'm hoping that didn't happen, cause then I assume the only way the spoilers coming off is if it's broken off? correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks TO ALL. TGO is the best.
#50
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Re: 88 Trans Am body work/Paint project
By the way, 88TransAmGuy, some of your pics you have been posting make me want to re-think my wallpapers on my computers and cell phone!!! HaHa, looks great!