73 Roadrunner 340 Auto

[Builderguy]

I was able to find all the spacers and screws so the grille is now in! Head light bezels are on, and the only thing left to do is adjust the gaps a touch and clean it all up. Next up, wheel arch trim! Would someone please show the "fat lady" to her dressing room.

 

[Builderguy]

Shoot, forgot to include pic of the callouts!

 

[Basket case]

Damn these make me miss the '73 I had 40 years ago.

 

[Builderguy]

Change of plans. Wheel arch trim will have to wait. Actually I'm a little worried about the amount of time they will take (with polishing and painting the black insert) so I am pushing them back until I have no choice but to tackle them. Instead, the air cleaner will get it's turn. Got all the dents/dings out of the lid.

Starting on the base next.

 

[SureGrip]

My plan for the grille highlights was pretty simple. Use a small hard roller (wallpaper seam roller) to transfer the paint evenly. This way I would not have to mask off the entire grille. The only area I would have to tape was the section where two of the sections were really close, and then I only had to mask to prevent rubbing the other surface. Worked pretty well and saved a lot of time.
Close up photos really show the dust

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I only had to do a few inches with a small brush. It is not perfect, but the grille was not perfect from the factory.

I sprayed the metal trim piece and that turned out great, but the pics might not show it so well. I will put it all together tomorrow unless work calls. Just hope I can find all the screws and spacers.

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Nice!!

What paint did you use?

I was thinking of doing something like that but with a dry brush technique.

 

[Builderguy]

What paint did you use?

Dupli Color Caliper Paint BCP 103 Silver Brake Caliper from O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

[HawkRod]

The grill looks great - I like the technique of using a hard roller - great idea! (I may have to steal that idea for mine)

 

[Builderguy]

After first coat of high build primer and glazing.

 

[Builderguy]

Just finished up the air cleaner. They could have built a car in the time it took me to put the sticker on!!!
But, it is done. On to the next item.

 

[Builderguy]

Back where it belongs:

 

[HawkRod]

Looks fantastic!

 

[Builderguy]

I decided to have a quick go at the wheel arch trim to see just how much time this was going to take, if it even works. So I spent just a few minutes and got the following results.

AS THEY CURRENTLY SIT

AFTER ROUGH WHEEL AND BLACK--FIRST PASS

AFTER SECOND PASS WITH BLACK

AFTER A COUPLE OF PASSES WITH GREEN ON FINISHING WHEEL

I think this will work just fine! Figure about 3 hours for each piece, which is less than I expected. I will have to look up what to seal them with to keep from oxidizing. Anodizing, if not too expensive, could be an option.

 

[Builderguy]

Polish trim, polish trim, and polish trim some more. You have to watch that buffing wheel or it will bite you and whatever it is your working on. Here is what I used and how it turned out.

This is how they started out

After the abrasive disc

After the polish disc

After the buffing wheel. Ready for the black inlay.

 

[Builderguy]

Painted Black

 

[HawkRod]

Wow. Looks superb!

Yeah, I have had my share of getting "bit" when polishing stainless. If the wheel catches an edge - lookout!

 

[Builderguy]

Rocker panel trim

 

[Builderguy]

Finally got around to painting the VIN tag. I took it out of the shop so it would not get lost. Had it so tucked away I completely forgot about it until I was looking for the little RR decal for the trunk. Figured I better get it back on the car before I actually lose it.

 

[Builderguy]

So the wife and I put the wheel arch trim on and the trim rings. Had a bunch of rings so we picked the best 4. Took both of us to get them on. Little bit of a PITA.

NOTE: The trim rings are correct for this year car. Only the outside 3/4" lip (flat) is high polish, the inner (slope) is not high polish. Don't ask my why, it just because Ma Mopar said so.

 

[Builderguy]

Just finishing up some of the last few details. Correct wing nut and adding the trunk lid decal/emblems. The Fat Lady is dressed and headed for the stage. Just hope she doesn't trip on the stairs.

 

[Basket case]

IIRC...but this was back in '83....my '73 had a circle around the standing bird on the truck lid.