Restoration begins in earnest

[Raldel@domain.elided]

    After 3 days of stripping, I have now removed, with the help of a friend, 
2 coats of color and 2 coats of primer from my 73 Spider. I was able to use 
Strypezee for the top color coat. This product is MEK and some small amount 
of Methylene Choride in a heavy bodied form. It easily bubbled up the top 
coat of paint. Of course this coat was a Maaco type paint job and was very 
poor quality. The primer and other coats below were a different story as they 
laughed at the Strypezee. It took pure Methylene Chloride to go to work on 
these layers. I did it outside in a breeze so felt safe in using this 
product. It is some baaaad stuff. It took as many as 7 applications to remove 
the remainder. I was very pleased to get to the metal and find absolutely no 
sign of any rust anywhere. This is why I bought this particular car. The PO 
has removed the side marker lights and sealed them in. He also removed the 
rear tag lights for some reason. I will replace the tag lights and leave the 
side markers off.
     I was pleased to find very little bondo on the car. Where I did find 
some, it was vastly overdone. No doubt a quickie job by someone who didnt 
want to sand much. Just slapped on and then blended in. It was a good job of 
blending though........... couldnt really tell until the paint was removed. 
     The next step is to finish up paint removal in all the nooks and 
crannies and sand the entire body with some 220 paper. I will then mask and 
shoot the body with some PPG epoxy, etching primer. I want to get the primer 
on as soon as it is sanded so that it doesnt have a chance to oxidize. This 
is when I will do any dent and ding repairs with filler, then shoot with a 
high build primer, a red tinted sealer, then base coat, then clear. After 
primer though, I will slow down and really block out any imperfection I can 
find. I want it as slick as possible. This is a real learning experience. I 
will not try to re-do the engine compartment yet, that is a winter job when I 
will remove the engine and tranny for new seals. 
     My buddy is already working on the re-upholstery and carpeting. I will 
leave that to him since he has the experience and machinery to do the job. I 
feel very lucky to have someone so knowledgeable. 
     I will sort out all the mechanicals during the cold months. I have to 
paint now since I dont have a climate controlled painting area. It really 
looks good in bare metal, all bare and naked. Looks like a DeLorean- Alfa. 
Maybe a clear coat on top of the bare metal? Nah....... it really needs to be 
brilliant red.
         randy long
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