ALMOST FINISHED!!!!!!!! (Whew)

[Rootsy]

I Am getting tooooooo old for this... those who remove and reinstall motors in 16 classics definitely earn their keep... actually it isn't too difficult til ya try to get that darn power steering pump on the front!!!! and those 75 lb exhaust manifolds... but all's well what ends well!!!! nooow if she runs... we'll be in business... NO WORRIES wink

http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/pictures/donzi/16_350_25.jpg

http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/pictures/donzi/16_350_34.jpg

http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/pictures/donzi/16_350_45.jpg

http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/pictures/donzi/16_350_54.jpg

http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/pictures/donzi/16_350_56.jpg

noooooow time to rub buff polish and wax cause man... does that red look nasty!!! god i hate lime!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

which raises the question.. short of wet sanding what gets rid of that fade in gelcoat the best??? the previous owner musta left this thing to cook in the sun for a few years :mad:

[MOP]

I read a post a little while back that lead me to this product First Finish. Looks good but have not tried it yet.
http://www.finishfirstpolish.com/index.html

[DON N.]

I use StarBrite on mine .

[CDMA]

I run a marine detailing business in the summer and while I try to avoid the compoud wax debate I have a few products I like.

In terms of compounds I stay exclusively with 3M products. For gelcoat:
Super Duty
Finesses-it II

For paint
Perfect-it Rubbing compound
Perfect-it Machine glaze
Perfect-it Hand glaze

On Gelcoat for wax I use 3M for standard applications, Gary's marine paste wax for stuff that is more critical. For paint I use 3M ultra performance or if I have a death wish and conditions are perfect Collinite hard paste wax.

For metal I have yet to find a product better then Collinite Metal Wax ( really a cleaner) followed with regular wax.

Don't be a afraid to wet sand it really helps and there is plenty of gelcoat, if you do it right, for multiple wet sandings.

Chris

[Rootsy]

So Chris what would you suggest.. i do some automotive refinishing and agricultural restorations (http://www.tdi.net/jaroot/tractors.html) but i don't have much gelcoat experience...

1500 wet on a rubber pad til you break the finish followed by some super duty and then finess-it II? followed by a glaze and wax?

[CDMA]

Yeah basically. I would probably start with 1200 then go to the 1500 then 2000. But I get silly like that.

Don't be afraid to go a little further then breaking the finish. I think gelcoat is about 20-30 mills think. You want to remove 3-4.

Chris

[Rootsy]

Thanks Chris,

i am just used to clearcoat which is at the most 5 mils thick... easy to break through if you are not careful... if she won't clean up with the super duty on the wool pad i might have to get the paper and block out :rolleyes:

[JimG205]

James-Beautiful job on the motor installation,Chris's advice is right on the money,used 3M on many correct craft's to make them like new.Good luck Jim

[Sam]

Looking good Jamie, hope to see you Sunday.

Sam

[smoothie]

James,Man does that motor look nice,with the red and gray wires and all,bet it runs as good as it looks wink

[Secret F233]

So SWEEET, man for real :cool: . Now i have a new Goal For the 233 make my gen look at least Half as nice as that eek! Man!!!

[mattyboy]

friggin A bubba, nice job James it looks great
nice job
keep us posted

Matt

[Dr. Dan]

Hmmmmmm...last time I saw an engine that color and that clean,well Hmmmmm let me think! :rolleyes: Oh yeah that Jersey Guy, ah Pearson ,yea ,that's it, Pearson,....Looks great!!! Nice Colors,maybe see ya in person up da way in da west side,south of the straits later this summer... :D ...Doc

[Rootsy]

SHE LIVES!!! SHE LIVES!!! she rumbled from the ole tailpipes for a few seconds tonight... think it'll be hose time in the morning before i have to take my life into my own hands and drive through Detroit eek!

PS. you know you are a ford man when you put the plug wires on the wrong side of the motor... DOH... :rolleyes:

[Rootsy]

Finally, DONE :) and she purrs like a kitten...

well except for setting the timing and going through the lifters and putting the hatch back on and i guess i could retorque a few bolts...

pictures and maybe some audio to follow wink