Not_So_Fast_Eddie

Little bit of a background before I get going into details. This car was originally my Grandma's and she drove it for about 6 years. Her driving isn't as great as it used to be and the car shows that. She had a knack for hitting curbs, fences, poles you name it. For a graduation present my parents were awesome enough to pay for all the supplies for the entire restoration. The only things I paid for were one chrome molding, and some bonuses that haven't come in yet.

Original look:


The bumper is unhooked in that corner, beneath the chrome the bumper is literally bowed out and the front is pushed in. Chrome piece is also bent out of shape. The fender was pushed in behind the headlight by about .5cm along with a crease dent that looks as if a cane hit it (not pictured).

Sanded, and first layer of epoxy to fill the holes and repair a crack.


Using a flexible body filler we built up the front edge that had been pushed it. For the bowed out corner we used a heat gun to pull it back in them created metal brackets to hold the bumpers form.


Finally sanding done, and shape finally recreated.


Here's a little tidbit of the bottom:

Finished bottom


Primer:


Other side




After the bumper was done we began the fender. It didn't take us nearly as long to fix up the fender.

Sanded down, dent filled in and bad corner behind the headlight has been reworked and reshaped to how it should look:


Primed


Test fit of headlight


Sanded down one last time


Final coat of primer


The drivers side fender was not nearly as bad. It did have chips in the paint and a fair amount of scratches but they sanded out nicely and didn't require any bodywork. I forgot to take a before photo of this side sorry.

After sanding and feather edging.


Primed. We built up the primer over the part that was sanded to counter the missing paint.


At the same time we gave the entire rear bumper a touch up as each corner had ugly scratches that literally chipped paint along with multiple dents from miscellaneous collisions.

Sanded and all holes filled.


Entire rear bumper primed


I did not take many photos of the remaining processes as they weren't very noticeable changes. Between primer and paint we did do a few extra steps. We began with wetsanding using 800 grit and 15 minutes before paint we used an adhesion promoter to ensure a good paint job.

All taped for paint:




And of course the best for last! Fresh Paint!


Upside down haha, (yes we painted the lower grill to match)






We used Chromapremier paint and clear coat. 1 pint of paint was used along with 1 quart of clear coat. 2 coats of paint on everything and 4 coats of clear. I'm very happy with the final results, and think they came out awesome. My dad did all of the painting.


Tonight we are pulling all the tape off. The front bumper will be put back on tomorrow along with the headlights.

99blackhatch

Great job. How does the new paint compare to the rest of the car if it wasn't maintained as well.

Not_So_Fast_Eddie

Thanks. The new paint shines much better than the old stuff. The color is spot on but the clear coats are in different conditions and it really shows. The old stuff has light scratches everywhere all over the car. I'm hoping a wet sanding will get rid of most of the marks and reduce the little bit of orange peel on the fresh stuff.

99blackhatch

That was my main concern about doing all of it and not blending it into the old stuff. can't wait to see what else you have planned for the old girl.

Not_So_Fast_Eddie

I'll try not to disappoint haha. One of the extras I bought came in today I wasn't even expecting it yet!

Pro-Pilot

Look great! Wish I had a big garage like you do to work on my car

omega1911

Damn!!! Very nice job... Wish I could hire you to hook mine up.

frenchy69

I can get mine done for around $300..

omega1911

$300... is it $300 quality or $3000 quality? Is that a hook-up threw a friend or do you do your own work?

Pro-Pilot

I had a friend of mine do my rear bumper for $250. He works for one of those mobile paint companies. Did an excellent blending job and still can't see any problems even now (2 years later). The original owner had been in a small accident and the replacement paint they used started to peel off....blah. Gotta get my front bumper done now.

Not_So_Fast_Eddie

How did their repair work look before? Was it just not prepped properly?



Just gonna squeeze this in. I test fitted the bumper hence no fogs and the wheel well cover hanging. I think I may vinyl wrap the chrome that goes under the headlights black as I really like this look.

Pro-Pilot

I'm not sure. I think it was prepped properly, my friend just said that they used cheap paint.

99blackhatch

Welcome to the "grill" club.

I need to throw on my rear "H" and the LEGEND emblem and I'll be done with the exterior. Now... to fix those headlights you have...

Not_So_Fast_Eddie

I hate to disappoint but I swapped my A onto it. If I can get a silver H and silver Legend emblem I may do it but for now it stays stock. The seller I got the grill from didn't bother to mention the peeling on the gold of the rear emblem or how the gold legend emblem is bent. Not to mention how the grill came in dirty and damp.

But on the bright side it's all done!

Pro-Pilot

looks grrrreat!

99blackhatch

That sucks that the grill came in beat up and tattered.

Still looks good to me!

Did you restore your headlights or did you buy replacements and then took them apart?

Not_So_Fast_Eddie

I opened them up and removed the diffusers over the blinker and running light along with adding chrome blinker and running bulbs to blend the bulbs better. Kind of a cheap version of the clear corner mod. They are still the same headlights I just gave them a wetsanding. The next thing I should look into is a way to protect them from fogging again.

Thanks for the compliment Pro.

99blackhatch

Fogging on the inside or hazing on the outside?

Clear coat i heard is a great way to clean them up and prevent the hazing for a long time... just an idea.

I need to wet sand and do the same to my Legend headlights finally... cleaning them up every 2-3 months is annoying.

keep up the good work! I like the progress

R.I.P.Playboi

That RL looks SO sweet. I have a 2003 TL - P and I loeyand where did you get them ifve it but if was wrecked beyond repair then I would SERIOUSLY consider buying a black RL just like yours. Nice rims and tires; what kind are they and where did you get them if you don't mind me asking?

R.I.P.Playboi

The second sentence was supposed to say I have a 2003 TL premium and I love it in fact if it wore a skirt and had 2 C cups I would marry it but if it
was wecked beyond repair I would seriously consider buying a black RL just like yours.

StealthTL-S

Looks great man!