Birddog0347 rescues a Fox

[TX_92_Notch]

Are you shaving anything?

[bird_dog0347]

Quite a bit done this week, new bumper and hood should be delivered tomorrow, new Trunk lid already in 2k and first blocking, both front fenders blocked and in 2k, the donor car driver rear 1/4 cut out so we can get it ready for the red car. I was joking with Kevin that the only thing that will be an original body part on the car is the passenger rear 1/4 panel and said it's damn nice of us to save that panel.

[bird_dog0347]

He also got the front fenders in epoxy today after getting the metal work done, the driver's side was a good one he already had as my old one needed quite a bit of work.

[bird_dog0347]

Placed the order today for my new hood, front bumper cover, 10 piece molding kit, and fender spats which I think was the last of the body parts we needed that we don't have yet. Kevin got the fenders down to metal then getting primed.

[bird_dog0347]

If you can provide a link or point me on the right direction that would be awesome.

And I agree, I know sometimes customers want to use factory BC's and other parts, factory fenders, used parts, but new always trumps used, unless those parts require little to no prep. These days, the after market is flooded with parts that are CAPA certified and fit and finish has come a log way. Especially when the MFGs stop producing parts this is very useful.
This guy knows what hes doing and I would take any and all advise he is giving which sounds exactly what you are doing. I loved customers like you, let the trustworthy pros handle the business...

Here are some of his threads, first one is the one he started with and it's a VERY long thread, over MANY years. Basically it all started with a fire and ruined his cars. Go as far down the wormhole as you like.

https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/rising-from-ashes-94-cobra-build-thread.833120/page-88#post-9340440

The Saleen he just took to PITS, 5.2 Voodoo, his paint/body, MM suspension, etc.

https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/%E2%80%9Crising-from-ashes-3%E2%80%9D-98-saleen-s-281-build.916584/

The inspiration for my build/goals.

https://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/%E2%80%9Crising-from-ashes-5%E2%80%9D-86-4-eye-t-top-notch-build.918378/

[Rick Modena]

If you can provide a link or point me on the right direction that would be awesome.

And I agree, I know sometimes customers want to use factory BC's and other parts, factory fenders, used parts, but new always trumps used, unless those parts require little to no prep. These days, the after market is flooded with parts that are CAPA certified and fit and finish has come a log way. Especially when the MFGs stop producing parts this is very useful.
This guy knows what hes doing and I would take any and all advise he is giving which sounds exactly what you are doing. I loved customers like you, let the trustworthy pros handle the business...

[bird_dog0347]

This is just the tip of the iceberg... and doesn't include our texts, calls, or facetime either. He makes his recommendation on things like, do I need a new front bumper cover for example. I ask what he would do if it was his car and he gives me the choice, in this case I'll buy a new one cause it would be 6-8 hours just to try to repair this one to make it worthwhile so just start fresh. You should check out some of his build threads of his own personal cars on Stangnet, his work is amazing.

[Rick Modena]

The detail he is providing is invaluable. He's being very thorough in his inspection and verbal detail on what problems and solutions is awesome. If I had a car that needed paint and body I would send it to him for sure.

Keep the videos coming, there are awesome and thanks for sharing.

[bird_dog0347]

On the rear fender that has to be cut out and replaced, once the trim was pulled we found that not only is this the worst repair maybe ever (up by the window) but that this fender had already been replaced and it was STILL that bad of a job. That's white paint under the trim... astounding.

[bird_dog0347]

Tear down continues, last week the new trunk lid and rear bumper cover were delivered, I will order a new hood, front bumper cover, fender extensions, and 10 piece molding set this week. The cowl has damage (knew about it already) and will be replaced with the one from the donor car, as well as fix some rust areas on the driver's door mount area. Passenger side still looks good and clean.

[bird_dog0347]

So late last week Kevin was able to get over to Alabama and pick up the donor car, which thankfully the best part of it is the driver's rear quarter panel and exactly what we needed (along with some of the inner structure). Unfortunately the rear glass isn't really worth using as some jackwagon tried to weld in through-floor subframe connectors and there's welding/grinding splatter all over everything inside and the window is no good. The donor rear bumper is trash as well, but no biggie.


Today I placed an order from LMR for a new trunk lid and rear bumper cover, and Kevin was able to get a view behind the fender (from inside) to see what we are dealing with there to plan the replacement of that whole quarter and some/most/all the inner structure, really just whatever is needed to make it right again. In the video below he shows where some of it was cut away and poorly "repaired" and points out the seat back cross brace welds (those were mine as it was flopping around).

[bird_dog0347]

wow those are tiny pics... Makes me wonder about the structure behind it though. I bet it could be fixed but might be easier to replace it, I'd find a body shop you trust first and have them tell you.

[TX_92_Notch]

If it's just dented it can likely be repaired with a stud puller, but since mine would have to be welded anyway it's easier to just find a better fender and replace. Post a pic of yours.

Sorry for the hijack, but here are a couple of pics. Posted from my potato phone using tapatalk.

IMG_8580.jpg
IMG_8579.jpg
IMG_8578.jpg

The car has been cleaned up since these pics but it’s in bad need of TLC.

[bird_dog0347]

What a hack job. When that guy started taking a video you can see that piece of filler thats black looking and he thinks is fiberglass, I'm almost certain its marine tex, that stuff is two parts, black and the catalyst (hardner) is clear amber looking and it comes in a glass jar. It doesn't even look like it was mixed correctly. Now that he has started really taking it apart he can see the extent of the original damage which was significant. At least he will fix it correctly now.

Speaking of Marine Tex, that stuff was made for repairing holes in boat hulls, like mainly fiberglass holes that could sink a boat out in the water, its water proof and dries very fast and solid. On the can it used to state that it was as important to have on a boat as a car needed a spare tire. In case you ran a ground and you craked the hull you mix this stuff and it would instantly repair the crack or hull.
I'm bringing this up because I've seen you have a boat, they now make it in white too I believe.

Interesting, hopefully I never need that.

[Rick Modena]

What a hack job. When that guy started taking a video you can see that piece of filler thats black looking and he thinks is fiberglass, I'm almost certain its marine tex, that stuff is two parts, black and the catalyst (hardner) is clear amber looking and it comes in a glass jar. It doesn't even look like it was mixed correctly. Now that he has started really taking it apart he can see the extent of the original damage which was significant. At least he will fix it correctly now.

Speaking of Marine Tex, that stuff was made for repairing holes in boat hulls, like mainly fiberglass holes that could sink a boat out in the water, its water proof and dries very fast and solid. On the can it used to state that it was as important to have on a boat as a car needed a spare tire. In case you ran a ground and you craked the hull you mix this stuff and it would instantly repair the crack or hull.
I'm bringing this up because I've seen you have a boat, they now make it in white too I believe.