Its finally in etch prime! Woohoo

[hqhzvans]

Great pictures you must be getting excited at this stage looks like things will move a little bit quicker from here on

[damienengland]

Thanks, hqhzvans. Yes its getting close, but my desire to do the custom work inevitably slows things down. The panel shop will now finish underneath and then start the paint job with a sound deadening road coat.

[Valencia]

Will be good to see colour i bet

[damienengland]

Yes sure will. Good news is, I can bring my chassis home on Monday. I can install the entire drive train and then get the custom bits fitted so I should be seeing progress on several fronts. Cheers

[hqhzvans]

My van is in panel shop also and at some stage I will also be getting chassis back to be blasted and rebuild suspension and brakes I will probably be a bit behind you thought

[Valencia]

Alright you 2 stop making me jealous mines not even close to that but i cant wait for the strip down
keeping an eye on both your threads

[damienengland]

Well I can share two regrets on my chassis for you guys. Firstly I got talked into having the chassis sprayed with enamel by my sand blasting shop. The finish is just not what i was looking for and my panel shop may get asked to respray in two pack. Secondly, I failed to notice the amount of Holden weld splatter on my chassis before it was painted. I will have to work this over before finishing. Its amazing how a dirty chassis hides so many imperfections. Be assured, when sandblasting is finished, they will all stand out.

[Vombil]

mate this is a serious resto! enamel? really?! go 2k imo

[damienengland]

mate this is a serious resto! enamel? really?! go 2k imo

Yes i agree. When this project started 2.5 years ago, I didn't quite know the depth it would go to, or even much about paint for that matter. The sandblast shop told me that they use enamel on chassis all the time and that its better with stone chips etc. I went with their advice and at the time, thought it wouldn't make much difference, but the finish was not quite right and it niggles at me. Anyway, the panel shop have told me they can rub back and apply 2pak while the chassis is out. I need to re-look at it when i get it home on Monday.

On a brighter note, i'm looking forward to installing my 308 and turbo 400. Then i can design the custom bracketing to sling the AC compressor under the power steering pump and extractors.

[Vombil]

yeah no stress. i'm so sure it will look an absolute treat. your panel beater looks very skilled. just make sure after all that good panel and prep you find a equally good painter!