The bird has landed...

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Tuned in! Can't wait to see the transformation!

[tedj101]

I want to see how he resolves the "risky" factor...


<TED>

[addysdaddy]

also want to see how to deal with the decals

[dlc95]

Looking forward to see this! Love this car!

[Max Luster Auto]

Tuned!

[cardaddy]

also want to see how to deal with the decals

Being as you can find those "screamin' chicken" decals (and all the rest) new these days I'd rip that puppy off (and perhaps the pin striping) and start over. Notice that shot of the middle of the hood, down at the front. It's actually peeling and lifting up along the crease that runs up the middle of the hood.

[Garyhw48]

I have always really liked these Birds. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think GM was still using acrylic lacquer then.

They sprayed it on and then baked it under extreme heat to make it lay down flat and shine.

If I remember correctly they called it Magic Mirror Finish. They figured out a way to avoid rubbing it out and polishing it. Totally different system than the Acrylic Enamel that Ford and Chrysler baked on.

Just can't remember what year they stopped using Lacquer. I find all of this really interesting.

Anxious to see pictures!

[Mike Phillips]

I have always really liked these Birds. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think GM was still using acrylic lacquer then.

They sprayed it on and then baked it under extreme heat to make it lay down flat and shine.

If I remember correctly they called it Magic Mirror Finish.

I vaguely remember this too....

One thing for sure, my favorite paint of all time to polish is single stage lacquer paint. This type of paint is the real deal, that is it's real paint. Modern clearcoats are basically closer to plastic than they are single stage lacquers and enamels.

And black lacquer is number #1 when it comes to creating that deep, dark wet shine that everyone loves.

Here's a challenge, for those of you who consider yourselves pretty good at super sleuthing with Google, see if you can find some more information about the type of paint used on these cars at the factory.

Perhaps use some terms like,

Magic Mirror Finish Pontiac

Anxious to see pictures!

Lacquer that can be saved never disappoints.

[Mike Phillips]

Being as you can find those "screamin' chicken" decals (and all the rest) new these days I'd rip that puppy off (and perhaps the pin striping) and start over.

That would ruin the originality of this car and be the exact polar opposite of the owner's wishes.

Notice that shot of the middle of the hood, down at the front. It's actually peeling and lifting up along the crease that runs up the middle of the hood.

That's called normal wear-n-tear for a car that's 37 year old. Probably older than some reading this thread. Some would also call it patina, that is the the normal appearance of a survivor car.

We cleaned the engine compartment over the weekend, took pictures, have a full write-up showing how to clean the engine compartment of a Smokey and the Bandit car.

After cleaning, I planned on dressing the engine compartment and then doing a super duper job of wiping all surfaces till they were dry, that is non-sticky or non-oily.

Before doing so though I checked with Wayne Carini and he confirmed that was the correct plan of attack for an original car like this.

The value in this car is in its originality. Replacing the graphics would be a mistake. Especially since I have a couple tricks for working on antique graphics.

[sayroger]

cant wait to see it really shine.