Fred's Backyard LE Restoration Options

[friethmiller]

Bumper Restoration - Part 2 (8/11 - 8/24/2025)

After painting the bumpers with 2 quick coats of epoxy and letting the panels sit out in the Texas sun for a few days, I then moved on to the next steps. With 100-grit sandpaper, I prep'd each bumper for body filler. For the front bumper, this meant almost a complete skim-coat where as the rear only required filler in areas around the bumper guards.



This work was done over 2-3 days and resulted in another light coat of epoxy to cover the exposed metal spots.





After examining my work, I decided the rear bumper was good enough but the front required additional work. After filling/sanding a few stubborn low spots, the panel was deemed ready for the next step. Note: I used a slightly stiffer sanding block here. This acted to flatten the main area more, allowing me to eliminate the lows.



After a few more days of drying and with the gray primer on-hand, a final epoxy coat was applied over each bumper. I didn't get a photo of the front but here's the rear ready for dry-fit. Note: you will see plenty of the front in the next post. Cheers to continued progress! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Montreal914]

Amazing work! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[friethmiller]

Amazing work! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Thanks, Eric!

Weather went south this afternoon so I might as well post my recent work. Post coming soon.

[friethmiller]

Side Quest - Headlight Covers and Eyebrows (8/30/2025)

Some pics of the work involved in removing about 10 layers of paint off these parts. I don't know why people think it's ok to just keep layering it on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I had already sandblasted the backsides but needed to strip off the outside paint. As you can see here, I used a paint removing disk on the edges and then scrapped off the majority of the paint with a razor blade. I used the disk again to take it down to bare steel. I cleaned and prep'd all the parts before hitting it with 2 coats of black epoxy.

[friethmiller]

Dry Fit - Frontend Only (8/30/2025)

With all the parts ready to go, it was finally time to see how every goes together. Knowing this car had cleared out a few ditches in its lifetime, I figured this might be a bit of a challenge.

After mounting the bumper, the headlight frames, covers, and eyebrows the shape of the car was finally revealed. Things weren't perfect but after a few adjustments here and there [mainly to the bumperI was finally able to get it [fairly] close. The arrows in the second photo show how the passenger side of the front hood is just a little short. Granted I don't have the hood latch working yet but I would have liked to have seen the gap a little more even. With the seals in place and the car being black you would likely not even notice but I'm not satisfied with what I see, yet. I will consider possibly adding a welding rod to this edge but will hold off for now.



More photos of the front hood gap. Not exactly happy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[930cabman]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

overall she's looking very good

[Puebloswatcop]

Wow Fred, You have come so far since I last checked in on your progress. The car looks great. The bumpers came out awesome. She is a work of art, thats for sure. I can't wait to see it when it is complete. Did I count correctly, 8 layers of paint on the headlight covers..... Not sure what people are thinking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Cairo94507]

Amazing workmanship; car is looking great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[friethmiller]

Hood Pull Assembly (9/1/2025)

Since I had to replace the metal that the front hood pull assembly attached to, it was finally time to somehow figure out how to remount it. First pic shows the repaired area with the dashed box & arrow. Second photo shows how I outlined where I wanted to mount it. From here it was just a matter of using tape to establish where to put the holes. The poor allen head screws had to be heated to be removed and will definitely be replaced. After mounting the assembly I was finally able to get the front hood latch to work. It did require some penetrating oil but it worked great. The restoration of this entire assembly will be for another day. For now, at least, I have the holes where I need them. Next up, is additional work to the front valance. Hoping to have all the "yellow parts" ready for paint soon. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[friethmiller]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
overall she's looking very good

Wow Fred, You have come so far since I last checked in on your progress. The car looks great. The bumpers came out awesome. She is a work of art, thats for sure. I can't wait to see it when it is complete. Did I count correctly, 8 layers of paint on the headlight covers..... Not sure what people are thinking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Amazing workmanship; car is looking great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Thanks guys!

Kevin, I counted 8 to 9 layers on the rear trunk so you're probably right. Amazing!