Warning--blond female! smile.gif We just got a 69 chevelle ss, the car is running, but is in many colors. question is were do i begin? how do i sand and with what? what comes next? any advice you can give would be great.
graemlins/beers.gif

I guess it would depend on your goals,but for basics,start removing the bumpers,trim,emblems,etc.Label eveything and take pictures.Make a list of anything that needs to be replaced or repaired cosmetically,and don't keep it off the road too long smile.gif Good luck with your resto!
Now,if it needs a lot of mechanical work,you should address those issues first,but again,it all depends on what your goals are (driver style resto,show car,etc.)

Congrats on the 69! You should access the type/condition of the many colors you say are on the car. That would indicate to me some previous bodywork, Duh! but may be hiding a 10 pound chunk of bondo. If its in poor condition(paint) or unknown type, i'd strip the car to bare metal. A paint finish is only as good as the weakest link. 4 speed is right, address the mechanical issues first, you don't want to chance scratching fresh paint to pull the motor.
You should get an idea of what topcoat material to spray fairly quickly. Many options here and all have good/bad points. After removing the trim, please wash the car well with soap/water and then a wax and grease remover. Not doing this will risk grinding oil into the panels and come back to haunt ya later. Good luck and lots of knowledge here, ask away.

I always start with a thorough cleaning of everything, then I take care of everything that needs done mechanically, once the car is running and completely functional, then I start stripping down to prepare for paint and body work. Interior is always last after all of the sanding and buffing has been done. The first thing I guess, is decide how much you are willing to spend on the car and what you want when you are done...Good Luck

I agree. Take Pictures (lots) Get some cowl/trim tags and Protecto plate over to the tag's forum, and just pretty much take inventory. The single biggest piece of advice i can give you is have patience. As long as you dont rush yourself you can usually do it right the first time. My second tip is don't be a stranger, in my opinion this forum IS the aftermarket for chevelles. Think os something crazy? chances are someone here has done it, Successfully or otherwise.

Have Fun. Enjoy the best body style they had:)
graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thank you all, this group is going to make this a lot less stresfull. Luckly we got a car that has a new engine, and it runs. we are going to do some tweek work to it latter but first want to get it looking better.. we are going to wait till the very end to do the final paint job, but want to at least sand/strip and get it primered now. we are working on a small budget so we are doing this part ourselfs. i will take the advise above and take pics when pulling apart. any ideas on types of sanding materials? thanks again for all yalls help... graemlins/hurray.gif

Chemical stripper is about the easiest and fastest way of taking the finish off, couple applications and scrapper work and a little work with DA will have it bare in short order. You will have to prime it immediatly after stripping, flash rust will form quickly. I would recommend etch primer,followed by primer/surfacer. You should have an idea by then on the type/brand material to be applied and stick with it thru the entire project. When you buy the paint, get the tech sheet, it will tell you the product flash times, sanding grits, mix ratio's.

WoooHooo graemlins/hurray.gif Another 69 owner to upset the poll that was goin around not long ago.......We all know 69's rule Blahahaha :D