1965 Comet Caliente (little red)

[Sugarmaker]

Comet folks,
I did get the car covers. I like the 5 layer gray one for the Comet. I had to cut the hole for the antenna. Fits well. I got a bag to store the cover in and a California dust brush too.




I put one of the plastic covers on the 32 truck.




Happy New Year!

[poboyjo65]

COOL! I like the one for the truck! But his presence is still known! good night Johnboy!

[Sugarmaker]

Comet Clan,
Not much happening to the Comet at this time in the shop. Winter has set in and we need think about making maple syrup soon too.

Have built a prototype paint booth in the shop as I work on a tractor project. Objective is to minimize the primer and orange top coat over spray.
A tarp on the floor, a 10 x 10 pop up for the structure and top:



Then 4 mil plastic for the sides:


Some PVC to hang parts on to dry:

[Deiv_67]

Good job!!

[warren1328]

What a great idea!
Looking for an option to be able to paint mine at home. Without covering everything in sight in paint dust.....

[Jims65cyclone]

A friend of mine bought an inflatable paint booth and set it up in his back yard to paint his 61 Impala. I didn't see it, but from what he told me it was probably like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/LVAOSTT-Inflatab ... 153&sr=8-7

Jim

[Deiv_67]

I believe I have expressed my opinion on stance in previous posts. I also have an opinion on air shocks and their use to raise the rear of a leaf spring equipped vehicle.
Leaf springs support the weight of a vehicle in four points that were designed to carry the weight and suspension action, when air shocks are used to raise a car over the normal height of the springs the weight is transferred to two points that were designed as mounts for normal shock absorbers. This defeats the purpose of the leaf springs and could possibly create structural issues with the upper shock Mount crossmember.
(Ask me how I know!) I was also one of those guys who back in the early ‘70’s had air shocks, I learned the hard way that there are better ways to raise the rear of a car.
Now a day I prefer a lower stance, hence the profile of my Comet now compared to how it looked back in the late ‘60’s, early ‘70’s.
You may agree or disagree with my opinion, no problem.

As for car covers. I recommend purchasing directly from a manufacturer like Cover Craft, not a reseller like California Car Cover. ( they source their covers from Cover Craft)
https://www.covercraft.com

I have at least six covers for my variety of vehicles, I prefer the soft cotton covers for indoor use, I also have an cover made with Kimberly Clark Evolution 4 material if the car is to be outside overnight at an event.
For indoors when I am making dust in the shop or just to keep dust off the car for a short period of time I use this type of disposable cover.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/disposable-car-cover/
Jim

Interesting things you can read here. I've just reached that point in the restoration, where I want to see my Comet lifted from behind. I don't have air shock absorbers, but rather gas Kayaba ones, and I want my car to be lowered in the front and raised in the rear. It's the shape I like, and I have to work on the leaf springs, and on the tire profile (at the front put a minimum tire height profile and at the rear put a 60/70 profile). At this moment I have tested tires that, without rubbing, fit into the gap with the stock rear axle, a 255/70/15. I really can't go wider without changing the rear differential axle, but this 255/70/15 tire with the leaf springs raised looks really nice.

[Sugarmaker]

Guys,
Thanks on the low cost paint booth concept. The big inflatable type would be nice in warm weather. We are currently in the 20 deg F temps. I am gathering and cleaning parts to be ready for shooting primer and top coats within the next few weeks. Will let you know how it works!

I was having problems using my Electrolysis tank out in the other building in the cold. So I emptied it and cleaned it out and set it up in the warm shop. With a new charge of Arm and Hammer washing soda and water, it was working very well on one of the tractor rear wheel centers. I used this to clean some of the Comet components when I was freshing the front steering and suspension. I saved a lot of cleaning time.

[Jims65cyclone]

Did you build or buy your electrolysis tank? If you built it, how did you go about it?

Jim

[Sugarmaker]

Jim,
I have built several. The first about 15 years ago was a 55 gallon plastic barrel.
The current one is a fiberglass tank maybe 100 gal. Approx 30 inches sq. x 24 inches deep. A better size for some of my larger tractor parts.
Probably all kinds of You tube info on building one. I use a large battery charger running on 6 to 10 amps. The leads are attached then to a good 12 volt battery. Leads then run from the battery to the sacrificial anodes ( the Positive side) The Negative lead from the battery going to the part being cleaned, The part is suspended in the solution so as not to touch the anodes. The solution is water with Arm and Hammer Washing soda added. I used about 1/4 to 1/2 box in the water.
The process is not fast. But it can work all night. It helps remove paint. It cleans in a line of site action. It will not clean inside a gas tank. Unless you suspend an anode inside the tank.
Hope that helps a little?
I have lots of p[ictures and examlpes. On the Comet steering components. It was a help in clean up!




Of course I still had to wire brush the parts coming out of the E-tank, and prep them for paint. This process is typically used as the second of a three step process. Some folks use paint stripper, then Electrolysis, then sand blasting. I use some or all of these also.


Here is the current Electrolysis tank I have been using. I use steel anodes wired together around the outside of the tank. Cleaning is for steel and cast iron parts. cleaning time may be hours to days depending on the size and the paint coats.

[vicegrip]

A couple of things...On the plastic portable paint booth,it will build a static electricity charge that will attract over spray. When a lot of it gets collected,it will get heavy enough to fall on your work. On the electrolysis tank,two things to remember. Acid for rust,basic for paint and grease. For the latter,I use a solution of sodium hydroxide ( lye) in a tank. Agitation of the solution is needed,the warmer the better. Same principle and chemical as a household dish washer. Then for the rust. I use a solution of common food grade citric acid granules in a tank,also with agitation. No electrolysis needed and the process works pretty fast,usually overnight. There is virtually no after scrubbing except for the extremely rusty parts. In that case,knock off the heavy stuff and stick it back in the tank. You can use electrolysis as mentioned for faster results if desired. On the agitation thing,I use a marine bilge pump that keeps things moving really good.
Hey,I ain't making this stuff up. I've been playing the resto game for a long time. Just relaying what works (or doesn't) for me.

[Jims65cyclone]

For smaller painted/greasy/dirty parts, a few hours on high in an old crock pot in a solution of Dawn detergent does a good job, too.

Jim

[Sugarmaker]

Vicegrip and Jim,
Thanks for the suggestions and details on cleaning parts! Always learning on this end. And its good to have additional options. Interesting on the paint collapsing ght paint boot. Had not thought of that!
Looking forward to getting the Comet out this spring. Winter is hanging on in our area. heading towards zero this Tuesday.

[Sugarmaker]

Guys,
Yea I am still here. Off topic:
We have been working on the old Allis CA tractors. Some of the work on that can be used on cars too. Lots of paint stripping rust repairs, welding in patches and attempting some metal finishing too.
Some random pictures:
Rust damage on fender:


The patch:


Tacked in place:


Hope you guys don't mind a diversion.


The other fender had not so good previous repairs (brazed)




Patch formed and tacked in place. Mig welded about 4 tacks each in different places and cooled as I went






Still plenty of work on the tractor project too. It's a baisc clean refurb and paint project.