1970 FM3 Challenger Project

[YellowThumper]

Nothing says muscle car more than FM3

[manycj]

Here it is after sanding and buffing.  I sanded it down using 3m Trizact disks (1500 then 3000 then 5000) before buffing. It only took one buffing with Perfect-it 3 to finish it up.

Know I need to do the black out of the radiator support, windshield opening and rocker pinch welds. Followed by the vinyl top install.

Chris

[Rolling_Thunder]

amazing looking car -  great job!    SS or a BC/CC ?

[manycj]

BC/CC.  PPG DBC 2260 Basecoat and PPG DCU 2002 Concept Clear.

The color appears to be dead-on when compared to existing color from the car and from the giant paint chip in the 1970 Trim Book insert:

http://www.pantherpink.com/docs_fm3_fj6_1.htm

[larry4406]

Very nice!  Can you provide some details of your paint booth or fan setup?  I assume you are painting this in your garage?

[manycj]

I did paint it in my garage.  Immediately to the right of the car is a window. I installed a square fan in the window with a furnace filter to fill in the gap above the window.  Way to the left side of the car, where I painted the hood, trunk lid and valances, I have an overhead door. I opened the door enough to place 2 more square fans and used furnace filters to fill the voids. The garage floor was hosed down the night before. Also I painted during the day so that bugs are not attracted to the light and then commit suicide in the clearcoat.

[340challconvert]

Outstanding Job

[manycj]

Here are some pictures after the blackout process. This car did not have its upper cowl blacked out.  The factory only brushed on black paint (perhaps black windshield primer ?) on the bottom edge of the windshield opening and the windshield pillars. Next up: Vinyl Top installation. -Chris

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[blown motor]

Wow that's pink! Can't wait to see it done.

[manycj]

I finally got a chance to install the vinyl top this weekend. How did I do for my first vinyl top install ?
Chris

[blown motor]

It's...    ...beautiful!

[loco340cuda]

That looks great!

[manycj]

I really didn't find any Challenger specific tips on the web, but I did come across some useful info.  Putting strips of wood in the window opening helps with locating the top fore/aft and it also helps when gluing the rear down. Also, once you have the first half of the roof glued down (from center to outboard seam), pull the vinyl back and glue the rear at the bottom of the rear window on the side you are working on. Then glue the section on the quarter and work your way to the front. Then you can go to the opposite side and finish the center of the roof. When you glue down the center start near the rear and pull tight so that there is no slack at the bottom of the rear window. This will ensure that the fit is good below the window.  I've been seeing cars at the shows were the tops weren't installed right and the installer had to shorten the section below the window. -Chris

[340challconvert]

Really appreciate you sharing the progress of your Challenger project.
Pictures of your progress are great.