68 charger restoration input from the experienced.

[PNW68ChargerRT]

I'm planning on starting the restoration on my 68 charger r/t this next year. I plan on keeping this as stock as possible, as if it rolled off the assembly line. It will be used as a cruiser, local car meets and shows, nothing crazy. Most of the smaller things and body patches I will likely do. The bigger things like body and paint will be out sourced. I am always about doing things right the first time around, that's where some of these questions come into play.
Car details:
QQ1 paint, white interior, white vinyl top and white bumble bee stripe.

1) Get the whole car acid dipped or media blasted?

2) Single or two-stage paint?

3) Oem or upgraded suspension/brakes?

4) Any recommendations to anything else?

TIA!

Here is a photo (not mine, found on the internet) of what the car looked like with its exterior color combo.

 

[Eric Pearson]

Well there’s a lot to be considered! I’ve done everything myself on the road runner except the machining and the lower end assembly on the motor, as far as paint and body It’s extremely expensive to have someone else do it. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to do it and it turned out great. I would recommend base coat clear coat paint. As far as mods go make it yours, I put power steering, AC,Disc brakes and a Gear Vendors OD along with a FiTech fuel injection. I sanded mine down on all the parts that weren’t replaced. If you’re going to do sheet metal work check out Chris Birdsongs YouTube channel. And use AMD sheet metal!!! Go check out my garage here to see what I have done if you want! Good luck and remember all you need is TLC ( time and lots of CASH

 

[R413]

How bad is the rust on it?

Blasting or dipping creates a lot of cleanup work.

 

[davek]

Well watch the bank account get smaller,it adds up quick and doesnt stop. If original paint you could sand and epoxy prime it. Im going all original

 

[Kern Dog]

I'm planning on starting the restoration on my 68 charger r/t this next year. I plan on keeping this as stock as possible, as if it rolled off the assembly line. It will be used as a cruiser, local car meets and shows, nothing crazy. Most of the smaller things and body patches I will likely do. The bigger things like body and paint will be out sourced. I am always about doing things right the first time around, that's where some of these questions come into play.
Car details:
QQ1 paint, white interior, white vinyl top and white bumble bee stripe.

1) Get the whole car acid dipped or media blasted?

2) Single or two-stage paint?

3) Oem or upgraded suspension/brakes?

4) Any recommendations to anything else?

TIA!

For those unfamiliar with QQ1, I think this Charger is also that color...

 

[R413]

QQ1 and white is a great color.

 

[PNW68ChargerRT]

Well there’s a lot to be considered! I’ve done everything myself on the road runner except the machining and the lower end assembly on the motor, as far as paint and body It’s extremely expensive to have someone else do it. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to do it and it turned out great. I would recommend base coat clear coat paint. As far as mods go make it yours, I put power steering, AC,Disc brakes and a Gear Vendors OD along with a FiTech fuel injection. I sanded mine down on all the parts that weren’t replaced. If you’re going to do sheet metal work check out Chris Birdsongs YouTube channel. And use AMD sheet metal!!! Go check out my garage here to see what I have done if you want! Good luck and remember all you need is TLC ( time and lots of CASH

Thank you for the insight Eric. I will definitely take a look at your garage and that YouTube page. Ill have to remember what TLC really means haha

 

[PNW68ChargerRT]

How bad is the rust on it?

Blasting or dipping creates a lot of cleanup work.

I would say pretty minimal. Mainly surface rust where the vinyl top was and the underside of the floor boards. Trunk, sides and maybe rear frame rails need to be replaced.

 

[PNW68ChargerRT]

Well watch the bank account get smaller,it adds up quick and doesnt stop. If original paint you could sand and epoxy prime it. Im going all original

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Beautiful! Did you do all the work yourself? Unfortunately the entire car will need to be repainted.

 

[davek]

Beautiful! Did you do all the work yourself? Unfortunately the entire car will need to be repainted.

No I did sand the car and epoxy primed it. The factory primer on it is better then whats being sold now a days. . My car sat outside for 16 years. I cant weld for dodo.