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Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Do a search on TGO for cowl color. Many years ago, we documented what cars, from what years and plants had the black cowls. If I remember correctly, the 1988 cars started having the cost savings of non painted cowls.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Factory used adhesive around the drip rail attachment points. I didn't want to use messy adhesive, so tried butyl rubber. Below are progress photos and not the final product. By the time was finished it was more smooth and gradual surface to blend with pending foam tape of the metal window seal channel. But next time I'd slightly reduce the thickness of butyl between the drip rail attachment point and the red painted surface. Will do that on the passenger side. I think it'll be OK as is. Want to keep water from moving from outside to underside of the attachment point and sitting in there.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
In the next photo it looks like there might be a slight gap between foam and red paint. This is from the interior side, so might be tighter toward outside of the car. The foam may compress some. I'll check the tightness of the seal channel screws before installing window seals.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Not yet. Reflections of the garage door opener safety eyes wires. Car has been getting dusty. Not washed once. Not misted once. Picked up a few rain drops the other day. Slow restoration any more. Spend more time driving it on weekends then working on it. Too much fun. Only work on it when I want to, not because have to. Will finish interior in spring. Stripes thereafter. Winter storage will put all to a stop until April. Sucks. Will get a good soap and water wash before covering. That reminds me. Need to get a cover.
No doubt I'm an amateur restorer. Everything I do is new. Second time generally seems easier. But designing an implementing each revision from factory construction is challenging. The challenges revolve around improving the factory assembly processes. Duplicating what GM did would be much easier, but only as robust as these cars were back in the day. NOT.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Window seals are in. Door seals are pending, as are window position and door striker adjustments. But nearly mouseproof in advance of winter storage. Front GFX and rear bumper cover also need minor adjustment.
Stripes and decals go on in spring, along with interior insulation and interior reinstall.
Oh yeah, need to get the fender liners in before driving to storage.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Been working on variety of things from interior to drivetrain to body and glass alignment. Have not kept up with posts here. Drivetrain has taken up enough time that the interior progress retains the empty shell look. Hatch carpeting is in.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
The butyl rubber doesn’t help with heat and little with engine and road noise suppression. It reduces panel resonance which helps that noise range. It is heavy and robs from the formidable L69 performance package with 190 HP at the crank and residual power at the wheels. Using Dynaliner closed cell foam rubber over top for suppression of heat, and road and engine noise. Will attempt full coverage with Dynaliner, installing it wherever not limited by thickness and monetary constraints. Most likely a lack of sense will result in full Dynaliner coverage
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
I tap on a panel and if it resonates I install Dynamat. Darned near close to full coverage anyway in some areas. But I also like ability to remove areas later if needed. And do not want large areas where water could collect beneath should that ever happen.
Downside is some day heat could cause the smaller pieces to come loose. Cars will be much different by the time it happens to any significant degree. I’m also trimmming corners rounded, when i remember, to reduce corner peel and droop should that day come. With modern adhesives I doubt any of this will be an issue.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Regarding the Dynamat I avoid all body seams, body plugs, interior mounting points, and where added thickness might be an issue. Any point that could require future access or service is not covered.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Speaking of madness, the goop swirl here was installed by the crack team at GM in June 1984. Since it survived a full quarter panel replacement it seemed fitting to stay in place.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
How in the world did they get the doors bolted to the frame with the fenders on???
Asking for a friend lol
I thought about doing that myself so I can paint and not have to deal with the whole fender alignment thing without damaging the paint but can't see how I would be able to bolt the doors on while the fenders are on.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Was not fun getting a couple hinge bolts back in. But did it after some struggle and a lot of yoga type moves. And acceptance of arm bruises and scrapes. Won’t do that again. Hopefully won’t be a next time.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Home for the season. To me the red looks brighter than factory 75U. May be a factor of modern paint. Or it is simply a brighter mix.
A lot to do. Will be striped within the next 60 days. Need to break up the vertical body seams with horizontal stripes and possibly body edge guard. Much interior installation to do. But focus will be getting this 72,000 mile car to drive better with front suspension and steering rebuilds. New tires are Cooper CS5 Grand Touring. Much improved over the 8 year old Cooper Cobras.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
My personal preference would be to NOT install the door edge guards, The '82 - '84 either had no door edge, had a black edge or the dealers would install an aftermarket one that got riveted to the doors. After all the work you've done, I'd leave it blank.
Regarding the suspension, I upgraded my '82 with the 36mm and 24mm sway bars and I feel a major change in the handling. Once I put low profile, wider tires on, I'm sure the feel will be even tighter.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Appreciated.
No body side mouldings would mean one less thing to do. April 2017 was the start of disassembly. Past experience says these cars are way more fun finished.
Hoping the stripes go a long way to break up the red, and carry the eye across. For me an early car needs stripes.
Re: 1984 Z28 Repaint - Photo Documentation (High Res Slow to Download)
Originally Posted by Saxondale
Appreciated.
No body side mouldings would mean one less thing to do. April 2017 was the start of disassembly. Past experience says these cars are way more fun finished.
Hoping the stripes go a long way to break up the red, and carry the eye across. For me an early car needs stripes.
My car didn't come with body side molding, but sometimes I wish it did. I actually like the looks of them, but it's just one more PITA when you try to chamois off the car.
I have an almost complete set of NOS GM orange stripes I'd sell cheap. Otherwise, I'd recommend a Phoenix Graphics kit. That's what I have on my car and it's pretty good stuff. I dont think it's as good as OEM, but its probably the best for aftermarket.