I am about to embark on my first Resto project and need all the help I can get . It is a 66 malibu that needs more TLC than a newborn . The enterior is completely shot from carpet to headliner and rust is peeking through rear quarters , rear window area and front cowl . Question is where do I start , Inside or out ? Or is it best to strip inside and have both painted and finished at the same time ?
Help Please !!!

On my 66 I did my interior first. (to close to storage season) I bought it in late august of 93. The next spring I had it painted (obviously body work comes first). Drove it a few yaers (had no $). last summer I pulled the motor and tranny for upgrades and also painted the engine compartment and did suspension upgrades as well. I still have the engine/trans out at this time because I thought that It would be done at this time. (Like everyone else I have bills and stuff to.) Im no professional and this is my first build also. I did not pull the body off so im sure that someone has different process but this is how I did/doing it and I hope this helps.

Chris R.

I am also about to begin a restoration. The majority of advice that I have gotten and will follow is:

Mechanical first, i.e. engine, trans, etc.
Body second
Interior third.

The philosphy is that if you do the body first and follow with mechanical there is a good chance of hurting the body work.

Good Luck.

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I would do body work before putting in a new interior.

You may end up damaging your new interior with welding sparks or ???

Besides, the new interior may end up just getting in the way especially if you have to repair floors, doors and quarters.




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Bob

Bob's 409 Chevy Page

http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/tvr/246/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html

I am about 6 months into my restoration (1966 SS396). I started by dissassembling the entire car, putting all the bolts etc. in zip-lock bags with labels. Niether the engine or trans needs mechanical work, just a paint job, some gaskets, etc. Currently I am painting & assembling the frame & suspension (body off car). Once I have the frame, suspension, fuel lines, brake lines etc. completed, I will install the motor,tranny & exhaust. I had all the metal work done on the body before I took it off the frame. I will put the body on a rotisserie, strip it, prime it, paint the bottom/cowl with Por15, and put it back on the frame. Then I can put the fenders,doors, hood, trunk lid etc. back on, and finish the body work. I will then remove the fenders, doors, etc. an paint all the body panels at the same time & then reassemble. Then comes the interior. This is probably the toughest way to paint the car, but I don't like overspray in the door jambs etc.

Good Luck on your car!

Paul,

I just finished a resto on my 66ss. I started with the mechanical stuff, then went on to the body, and when that was completed, I redid the interior. It's much easier for the body guys to work on the body without having to worry about the interior of the car. I actually stripped the interior out down to the dash & 1 seat when I took it to the body shop.

I agree with etd66ss that you should buy lots of baggies & label ALL of them. That was my mistake!! I still have a couple bags that i have no clue where they came from! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Good luck with yours!!
Jake

You can read all I went through over @ the website below.


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Tubby's Drive In
http://members.xoom.com/Pgh_Knights/

My 64ss took almost 7 years to do and many lessons learned.

Steve Petzer is right in the order of things to do. ETD66SS has an excelent method.

Bag'n Tag Everything! Use a lot of masking tape and a decent permanent fine point marker!

When disassembling the body, make sure you note how many shims and their locations when you pull fenders etc... it will make it a lot easier going back together. Note that not all shims are the same so try to keep them together for where they belong.

When storing your bits... The interior should be kept dry and away from mice. Any part that is of a mechanical nature should be at least oil coated to prevent rust while storing. Any "fine" electrical part such as guages etc... should be kept wrapped in paper and preferably stored in house.

Electrical harnesses are best cleaned on those days that you just want to sit and be doing something not too energetic. Clean all your connectors carefully with emery paper & board, degrease the harness' and correct taping were it's broken down.

Take lot's of pictures before / during and after you do anything. It helps to remember where, what goes and how, plus it documents what you are doing. Get a big notebook and make lot's of notes.

Sorry about the length of my reply but I thought I should share some lessons etc... I hope it helps.

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The proud owner of a Canadian 64-SS with ZZ4 Power!
Team Chevelle Gold Member #37
Canadian Classic Chevelles & Beaumonts Member #350


[This message has been edited by Canuck64ss (edited 07-28-99).]