Brad' second '70 Cuda and first (and last) restoration project

[73440]

All your hard work and time will be worth it when you are driving down the road .

[redo1973]

Very nice work.  I had a;; my SS polished but then realized my quarter glass also needs polishing.  It has several scratches.  How did you go about sanding the SS?  What grit did you start with?

[usraptr]

Redo 1970. Depends on how deep the scratches are.  If they're really deep I start with 80 grit or even a fine tooth file.  If they're not real deep, 180 or 220.  I use wet and dry and a spray bottle of water with a few drops of dish washing soap added.  I work up from 80 to 100, to 180, to 220, to 320, to 400, to 600, to 800, to 1000, to 1200, to 1500, to 2000 and finally 3000.  Then I start the buffing. When I'm done it shines almost as much as chrome.  Lots and lots of work and time.  It took me almost three full days just to do the windshield trim.  Definitely my least favorite part of the restoration. 

[redo1973]

Thanks.  Fortunately it is only the flat piece of the quarter glass, about 12 inches or so, but seems like a long day ahead.  My scratches are concentrated in about a 2 inch section but I'm sure that I need to taper the sanding further out than that. Thanks.

[usraptr]

Redo1973, Cody did an excellent video on polishing stainless.  Here's the link:http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=81891.0
It's also at the very top of the "Body Shop" thread.

[redo1973]

Great, thanks.  I thought that I had seen something on this.

[usraptr]

Slow and steady.    Installed the restored Shaker assembly, with new gasket, after adding a 1/2" carb spacer to raise the Shaker assembly back up after my fabricated base plate left it sitting too low.  Also restored and installed the "Cuda 440" Shaker emblems along with the "Shaker" decal under the hood.   Restored, painted and mounted the "gill" rockers along with the wheel well moldings.  After countless hours of sanding and polishing installed the belt moldings a second time.  Thanks to Alan for the tip about filing the plastic clips slightly so the molding clipped on easier.  Installed sound deadening to both doors.  Adjusted the gaps on both doors.  Also, installed and hooked up the Road lights.  Installed new hood pins and lanyards along with a new antenna.   Cleaned and installed the original wiper arms with new (but not authentic wiper blades) Also, called my insurance company and insured the Cuda for collision as its maiden voyage gets closer and closer. 

[70chall440]

 

[moparelwood]

Looking very nice. makes me think I better get out to the garage and get something done.

[redo1973]

  Very exciting.  I'm right there with you.  The finer details seem to be taking forever. 

[usraptr]

Took a video of my Cuda's maiden voyage today.  This has been a loooong 9 years coming.  The first time the car has driven in over 23 years!  Couldn't have done it without all the help from the people on this forum.   
Cody let me know if I need to do something different for the video so people don't have to wait for it to load all over again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH35g6EgMhQ

[usraptr]

Okay she's legal now. Went to the DMV today and registered the Cuda for the first time in 23 Years.  Surprisingly all went very smoothly and they even let me keep/use the vintage personalized plates that came with the car.     Unfortunately, the local alignment shop that specializes in torsion bar suspensions is booked out until 5-14.  I did a "bench" alignment per the instructions on the site so I should be good for a couple of quick burns around the neighborhood until then. 

[usraptr]

Got the new exhaust tips welded on and here's some pics of the rear hood properly aligned thanks to 1 Wild R/T.

[70chall440]

Very nice 

[usraptr]

Took the Cuda in for alignment today. Didn't notice a big difference in how it steered except when going around corners it doesn't pull like it did before.   Now just need to finish detailing and getting it ready for this weekend's big car show.