The Phoenix... the restoration of a rare custom-made "Thunderbird"

[Lightyear]

I like it.  I would perhaps consider something a touch more durable than nitro for the top coat though - nitro will will wear pretty fast on those pickup edges me thinks

[Highlander]

Any sugestions, Buzz (or anyone else)...? Poly...? (I know it's a dirty word in some quarters, but...)

[godofthunder]

I can't believe how good those pups look ! Any finish will wear, but poly should work fine.

[Highlander]

Cheers Scott... anything tougher...? if not, that'll be what I get...

Today has been a good day, weather wise, and I'm off work for the day (on-call over the weekend) so I was hoping to get the nitro out and get started,; just waiting until the sun got round and onto the shed roof, to take the edge off the day...

Jackie came home from dropping Roshina at school... someone clipped her drivers mirror... took out the mirror, and the window...!
The only plus on the day has been the fact that I was home, so I could deal with it (clear up the mess in the car - luckily she was unhurt - needless to say, in rush-hour traffic, the other driver did not stop...)
They first told us (insurance glass co.) that the earliest we could get the window done was SUNDAY...!!!
We (politely) went ballistic, advising the insurers that, "how do you expect us to secure our vehicle until then...?" (our garage has been a storage area since we moved in... in '92...)
Present ETA is now b4 2000 today (crossed fingers)

Needless to say, not a lot of spraying done... in fact, none... oh well...

[saltymonkey]

Any sugestions, Buzz (or anyone else)...? Poly...? (I know it's a dirty word in some quarters, but...)

What about a clear liquid epoxy resin like what is used in airplane and boat building. It would be a lot tougher than a standard poly or nitro finish.

[Lightyear]

I would think that solvent based poly might be a good compromise (solvent will give you some ambering).  I too thought about the two part epoxy stuff but it tends to be thick - like congealed snot and perhaps difficult to get a good thin/smooth coat.

[n!k]

Man, this project is CRAZY. Awesome work so far though.

[saltymonkey]

I would think that solvent based poly might be a good compromise (solvent will give you some ambering).  I too thought about the two part epoxy stuff but it tends to be thick - like congealed snot and perhaps difficult to get a good thin/smooth coat.

They make epoxy resins now that are crystal clear and do not congeal like that. i have seen both clear and tinted epoxies over large photo prints. clear and smooth as glass. i'm no expert but i think it's worth looking into as they will not wear off.

[Chris P.]

First thing I thought was: 'WTF!?!' but it looks gorgeous! I'm proud of you:D

[Highlander]

Well Chris, you did say she needed a nice refin...

I'll look into the epoxy, Salty, but that may present other issues, as the T'bird pup's surround will not leave me with a lot of room for maneouver...

One of the nice things about this stuff is that it is easy to apply, and/or re-apply... time yet...

I had some parts in for my cab this morning so got busy with that... weather looking good for this week so the nitros made it's way to the shed...

Fingers crossed...

[Highlander]

Well, the shed was open for business today...


... started the "poly" coats on the pups and the TBpup ring, also highlighted the "Gibson" on the MB cover prior to spraying - reasonably happy with that...

Next up was the binding... I was not looking forward to this but it was a lot easier than I expected...


... I carefully trimmed the veneer to allow the binding to "sit" on the body then out came the CA... I found that it melted the gloves I was using... oops...


... reasonably pleased with this... next came the trimming down...


... first I chamfered off to each side to form an approx 45 degree edge for the frets, then I used a sharp blade and trimmed away as required... I will "finish-off" when I clean up the neck

I have a long weekend off over Easter so am hoping for a sunny weekend... It's time this old bird got her fin...

[exiledarchangel]

Good job Kenny! Hope for some sunshine for you, I've got plenty of this stuff here.

[Hornisse]

Nice job on the binding.  Starting to look like her old self again.

[Highlander]

There are some folks round here that would definitely be horrified by that idea, Robert...!


(what's Skunk Baxter doing in this video...?)


(sad but true... I like this for the F86 background shot...)

I must admit that I had a moment of weakness whilst draining the ink out of my wifes old CISS system for our Epson - a splat-fest on the veneer - the moment passed...

[exiledarchangel]

I must admit that I had a moment of weakness whilst draining the ink out of my wifes old CISS system for our Epson - a splat-fest on the veneer - the moment passed...

I know that feeling, my wife has that system for her printer too, its a NIGHTMARE to set this stuff up.