1955 Ranch Wagon Cruiser

[DJ3100]

60,000 on a standard set of plugs....yeah...I could buy that...maybe the one was a quick replacement for a bad one many moons ago.... [S

Glad to see another opinion on that, I was afraid they looked like they had a lot more miles on them. I don't put enough miles on anything to change many plugs.

 

[sgtpontiac]

Yeah, the old days

plugs would look like that after less than 50K with conventional ignitions...I've seen worse at lower miles than 60K

 

[hansgoudzwaard]

I like the '56 Chevy color - I think it's Sierra Gold. Maybe I'll go with that. Sherwin Williams didn't have formulas for '50's cars, I guess I'll need to check out PPG.

Nice color. Are you going 2 tone?

 

[DJ3100]

Everything about the paint has changed at least 10 times. The current, most likely 2 tone plan is like this (copper instead of red). I'm not sure what happens with the chrome - I really don't want to spend the mega bucks it will take to re-chrome the bumpers and grill. The other trim is Stainless that I can polish, but I might paint all the shiny stuff satin black or ???

I'm pretty sure I'm not going with white side walls and definitely no fender skirts or roof rack.

 

[AZRodDave]

Everything about the paint has changed at least 10 times. The current, most likely 2 tone plan is like this (copper instead of red). I'm not sure what happens with the chrome - I really don't want to spend the mega bucks it will take to re-chrome the bumpers and grill. The other trim is Stainless that I can polish, but I might paint all the shiny stuff satin black or ???

How about painting the chrome stuff the same white as on the car? Not sure if that would look cheap and hokey or kinda cool. Just an idea. The satin black would be okay too, I guess (and I am ONLY guessing). [S

 

[sgtpontiac]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

Is the chrome on the bumpers real bad? If so, what about just some bright silver till you can get some new ones...or maybe that black chrome paint...Not to diss anyone, but I think white would make it looks like a clown car...JMHO...I've seen some pretty good near chrome paints recently that seem to look pretty fair....
But, It's your ride of course so whatever suits your fancy is how you need to proceed.... for whatever all that rant was worth....lol..

 

[AZRodDave]

Is the chrome on the bumpers real bad? If so, what about just some bright silver till you can get some new ones...or maybe that black chrome paint...Not to diss anyone, but I think white would make it looks like a clown car...JMHO...I've seen some pretty good near chrome paints recently that seem to look pretty fair....
But, It's your ride of course so whatever suits your fancy is how you need to proceed.... for whatever all that rant was worth....lol..

Isn't there a chrome wrap nowadays? Or just polish the heck out of them and clear. Nah, that would look as stupid as white! LOL

 

[DJ3100]

Isn't there a chrome wrap nowadays? Or just polish the heck out of them and clear. Nah, that would look as stupid as white! LOL

Thanks for the ideas, everyone.

I would like it to have some attitude. I hope to get some from the lowered stance and wider tires. The bubble roof doesn't help (I would really like to flatten the roof an do a mild chop, no chance that's going to happen). I'm thinking white won't help either. The second color might go darker. I like the idea of matching the chrome / stainless with the second color.

I really like the idea of black chrome. If I can pull that off I'll go there. I have seen some amazing videos on how to do it with paint. But watching and doing are two different things.

I have no idea how anyone could wrap the grill, but maybe the center grid could be blacked out and only wrap the stuff around the perimeter. I bet wraps will sound really good when I get there.

 

[DJ3100]

"Is the chrome on the bumpers real bad? If so, what about just some bright silver till you can get some new ones.." Sarg

The rear bumper is from Virginia Beach - the chrome is flaking, it's pretty bad. The grille and front bumper might be used with some clean up. I need to check out how serviceable they are.

 

[Old Iron]

Have you considered powder coating the bumpers and grille?
They have some amazing colors nowadays.

 

[Bamamav]

I hate the black on my bumpers and grill. I'm going to redo mine, painting them silver metallic with a clearcoat like I did on the Maverick I built. It turns out looking a lot like a silver powdercoat.

 

[DJ3100]

Have you considered powder coating the bumpers and grille?
They have some amazing colors nowadays.

Yes, powder coat is an option. By the time I get done painting the body, I'll be looking for any solution that doesn't involve me painting. Powder coat often costs less than buying all the stuff you need to spray it yourself and it's pretty durable.

 

[DJ3100]

I hate the black on my bumpers and grill. I'm going to redo mine, painting them silver metallic with a clearcoat like I did on the Maverick I built. It turns out looking a lot like a silver powdercoat.

Yeah any thing can be changed. I'm not sure I would like the chrome blacked out, although I have seen some cars done that way that I really liked.

I did the flat black on the fenders and grill of the '53 in my avatar because the fenders were never going to get perfect or even good and the flat black hid the problems. I like it and have never considered changing.

 

[Bamamav]

Yeah any thing can be changed. I'm not sure I would like the chrome blacked out, although I have seen some cars done that way that I really liked.

I did the flat black on the fenders and grill of the '53 in my avatar because the fenders were never going to get perfect or even good and the flat black hid the problems. I like it and have never considered changing.

Trucks seem to be more forgiving in that a lot of them never had chrome parts, only painted bumpers and grills. I've seen some cars with the chrome done body color, some looked good, some not so good. Matter of personal choice I guess, I'm not going to tell ya what I like best, cause you might like something different.

 

[DJ3100]

Trucks seem to be more forgiving in that a lot of them never had chrome parts, only painted bumpers and grills. I've seen some cars with the chrome done body color, some looked good, some not so good. Matter of personal choice I guess, I'm not going to tell ya what I like best, cause you might like something different.

Exactly - what looks great on one car looks hokey on another car.

I overheard a comment at the paint store: "I finally decided the color I paint my car is less important than my sanity."

I have not yet made that decision.

 

[DJ3100]

Update.

The floor has 2 coats of red Zero Rust. The body is off the horses and on blocks so I could mechanically strip the roof. I also did some work on the firewall.

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The roof is extremely loose - a little pressure and it oil cans about 2 square feet. Don't know what to do about that.

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[soltz]

Maybe

I had the same problem, this worked for me. I don't have a finished pic but it's welded about every 3 inches or so, if you want a finished pic i'll make it happen.
Hope it helps [S

 

[Old Iron]

What about running stiff backs across ? (side to side)
If they are in the right places, hang interior lights on them so they serve two purposes.

 

[jott]

If you are 2 toning and used a dark lower color, then I think the bumpers would look good color matched to the lower body color. Or even paint them a gunmetal color. Just my $.02

 

[DJ3100]

I had the same problem, this worked for me. I don't have a finished pic but it's welded about every 3 inches or so, if you want a finished pic i'll make it happen.
Hope it helps [S

Thanks Old Iron and Soltz

I'm nervous to weld or apply heat to that big a panel. The bracing is a good possibility. I just learned about NVH expanding foam that would allow the roof to expand and contract without being constrained by the braces.

It may tighten up when the body is completely supported on the frame, so I think I'll wait to sand is until it's on the body.