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Mike Phillips
04-07-2011, 02:36 PM
1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/34525-1956-pontiac-star-chief-convertible.html)

Upcoming project, it's a one-owner, 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible. The new owner is Earl the Plumber, who you've seen here recently as he's a local hotrodder and he and some of his cars are featured on both our TV show, "What's in the Garage?" and some of the how-to features we've shot here at our Show Car Garage Studio.


Here's Bob checking out Earl's new addition to his car collection...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif002.jpg



That's Bob's Vette next to the Star Cheif... that is a modern convertible hotrod and a classic convertible hotrod...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif003.jpg


Beautiful styling including the script for the model name...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif004.jpg


Check out the spacious and roomy interior...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif005.jpg


An absolutely gorgeous dash...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif006.jpg


Speedometer goes to 120 miles per hour...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif007.jpg



I think these Fender Skirts are stainless but they could be chromed, either way... pretty cool...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif008.jpg


Stylish V-8 emblem to signify this model was equipped with the V8
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif009.jpg


Classic chrome spoke wheels...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif010.jpg


Very beautiful and stylish design to the front clip...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif012.jpg

As Earl and Gene driving by the Meguiar's Special Events Truck...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif013.jpg


Here's some sun-shots of the true condition of the paint I took before Earl left...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif014.jpg


Ouch! Kind of hurts your eyes, especially knowing the car these swirls are in...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif015.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif016.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif017c.jpg



I talked to Earl today and he supposed to be getting a shipment today that includes new front wheel bearings, if he gets the shipment today he'll try to have them installed tonight and then have this beautiful classic American convertible here at Autogeek tomorrow.

We have a very special guest detailer coming here tomorrow by the name of Jon Leidgen aka PAR Detailing and if the Star Chief is here, he's going to give me a hand knocking out some of these horrendous swirls...

Stay tuned...


:D

Mike Phillips
04-07-2011, 02:39 PM
Here's one of Earl's other hotrods... a 1965 GTO that we used for some how-to features for our new TV show...

Behind the scenes pictures - TV Features for What's in the Garage? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/32946-behind-scenes-pictures-tv-features-what-s-garage.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1017/FeatureDay002.jpg



Not only is Earl a big horsepower hotrod guy... he also has a great sense of humor... this is his work van with Rick Goldstein from RaggTopp sitting at the wheel for a fun-shot...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1017/FeatureDay017.jpg



You'll get to see more of Earl's hotrods when his segment airs on What's in the Garage?


Dates and Times TV Schedule for Autogeek's What's in the Garage? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/what-s-garage/34192-dates-times-tv-schedule-autogeek-s-what-s-garage.html)

jpegs13
04-07-2011, 02:51 PM
What a great car! My grandfather had a star chief. Back then there were no seatbelts. I remember sitting in the back seat sliding all over the place after he washed and "detailed" it. He used furniture polish on the seats. Man, we could have ice skated back there when he was done!

Joe@Superior Shine
04-07-2011, 02:57 PM
Beautiful car!

PAR Detailing
04-07-2011, 03:00 PM
That is one cool car.

I am really looking forward to working with you Mike. This is a real treat to get to work with you hands on and Im sure it will be a great learning experience.

Hopefully everything works out and he can have the car at AG headquarters.

:xyxthumbs:

C. Charles Hahn
04-07-2011, 03:44 PM
Wow.... that car is gorgeous! I'm guessing that's not original paint, do you have any idea if it's single stage or base/clear?

I don't see any signs of oxidation so I know what my guess would be, but anything is possible.

TL type S
04-07-2011, 03:47 PM
Beautiful ride!

Mike Phillips
04-07-2011, 07:19 PM
Wow.... that car is gorgeous! I'm guessing that's not original paint, do you have any idea if it's single stage or base/clear?

I don't see any signs of oxidation so I know what my guess would be, but anything is possible.

It's been repainted I'm sure. I'm not sure what type of paint? We'll be testing for single stage when it arrives.

See part of the story behind this car here,

Teaser Pics for upcoming What's in the Garage? episode (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/what-s-garage/34531-teaser-pics-upcoming-what-s-garage-episode.html)

If you look closely, you can see the 1956 Pontiac behind the 442 in this picture...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1058/Old442W30_002.jpg


:)

James K
04-07-2011, 08:44 PM
Wow what a nice car. Those swirl though! Agh! Lol.

Mike Phillips
04-08-2011, 12:41 PM
56 Pontiac in the house...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif018.jpg


The huge, massive front ends on classic 1950's cars are amazing!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif019.jpg


There's a lot of stainless steel on this car including the fenderskirts... no black or gray pebble textured plastic trim to be seen... :D
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif020.jpg


We're going to see if we can restore some brilliance to the stainless steel...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif021.jpg

BillyJack
04-08-2011, 01:11 PM
There's a lot of stainless steel on this car including the fenderskirts... no black or gray pebble textured plastic trim to be seen... :D
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif020.jpg


We're going to see if we can restore some brilliance to the stainless steel...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif021.jpg

My first job in the car business was in my uncle's body shop, back when I was in grade school. In those days, with the poor longevity of the old lacquers, it was common to have a full repaint on a 5 or 6 year old car. Most of the brightwork was removed an put in a big pile. I had a gallon jug of the old orange rubbing compound and a pile of cotton rags. My task was to hand polish all that stuff and have it done by the time the paintwork was done. When you had a high-end model, such as a Pontiac Star Chief, Chrysler New Yorker, Plymouth Fury or Buick Roadmaster, the pile was just huge!
Some of the "good old days' weren't all that good.

Bill

Mike Phillips
04-08-2011, 07:41 PM
Hey Jon,

It was sure great to meet you and fun working with you... getting some pictures ready to upload, here's a parting shot as Jon's driving back to Panama City, Florida.

Mapquest shows Panama city to be, 7 hrs 45 mins / 502.33 miles, so drive safe and thank you for taking the time to visit Autogeek while you were in Florida.


Jon Leidgen aka PAR Detailing
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif023.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

CEE DOG
04-08-2011, 09:53 PM
This is awesome! I'm happy for Jon and you both. Sounds like a great time. What a col car to work on too!

Mike Phillips
04-08-2011, 10:07 PM
Before

Here's some sun-shots of the true condition of the paint I took before Earl left...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif014.jpg


Ouch! Kind of hurts your eyes, especially knowing the car these swirls are in...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif015.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif016.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif017c.jpg


Today we removed the hood ornament and found some pretty bad water spots, likely where water pooled under the ornament.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif024.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif025.jpg


Did a test spot using a PC on the 6.0 Speed Setting with a 5.5" Cyan Hydro-Tech Pad with Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish. Majority of swirls and shallow scratches came out leaving only the RIDS, so we moved onto claying the paint...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif026.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif027.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif028.jpg


First the "Baggie Test" to check for above surface bonded contaminants. Even though this is a restored, rare classic, it was covered with Above Surface Bonded Contaminants.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif029.jpg


Jon clays using Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay and Pinnacle Clay Lubricant
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif030.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif031.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/images/smilies/xyxthumbs.gif

Mike Phillips
04-08-2011, 10:24 PM
Continued...

Classic cars have painted grills right at the base of the windshield and usually, if you look close you'll see polish residue splattered into it during a previous detailing session.

Our goal is to avoid adding to it and if possible remove as much as we can...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif032.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif033.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif034.jpg



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif035.jpg


The Beach Towel Tip (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/30894-beach-towel-tip.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif036.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif037.jpg


Next we want to test to confirm the paint is single stage or basecoat/clearcoat, it looks like a single stage paint but it only takes a few seconds to test and confirm...

To test for a single stage paint, try to find a light colored or white polish if you're working on any kind of pigmented paint. If you're testing white paint then try to use a polish with a color to it and a dark colored cloth, (so you can confirm that you're removing white paint and not just seeing the color of the paint).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif039.jpg


Use an ample amount for plenty of lubrication as you're going to want to push firmly if no oxidation is present as was the case with the finish on the classic car.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif040.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif041.jpg



Confirmed, we're working on a single stage paint... also note the heavier accumulation were my fingers pressed down with the most pressure... this is because you can exert more pressure to the small area of your finger tips than you can with your entire hand, you can use this to work for you or cause problems depending upon what you're trying to do...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif042.jpg


The holes here where the hood ornament bolts on will allow splatter from the rotary buffer to fly through and into the engine compartment so we're going to place another beach towel under this area to capture any splatter.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif043.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif044.jpg


Ready to start buffing...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1084/56StarCheif045.jpg


:xyxthumbs: