[JUDGE3]

now these are white letters. 2023 date codes. old brown letters were 2018. no comparison to the 2018's. I cleaned them with everything under the sun and still turned brown.

so pleased that BFG worked this out and made it right. especially after such a long time my having them. discount tire was the bfg/michelin dealer that took them back.

they will actually return them to the manufacturer. even received a follow up e mail today from bfg asking if the issue was resolved to my satisfaction.

I asked discount tire about the guarantee not to turn brown. he stated he has not been informed by bfg of such a guarantee but should I have the same problem they will do the same process for me again. impressed all the way around.

so i'll be watching these white letters like awaiting a flower to bloom. lol

[JUDGE3]

Finally on the car.

next is to get the blue Trans Am center stripe, front bumper bird and rear spoiler Trans Am decals on.

(I am well aware the fender vent grill inserts were black from the factory. I had them in black, decided I prefer the body color on them as the later models.)

I bought 2 more full sets of the blue spinners nos still in the sealed packages just to have them should anything happen. I also have 2 other cragar spinner types to swap on once in awhile for a different look.

fun stuff these Pontiacs. never get tired of it.

[cnc]

What did u use for primer on the endura....

[cnc]

Spi is a popular choice

[JUDGE3]

I used Ppg DPLF epoxy primer On the bumper and car. (see page 5 post 84) Ppg Deltron for the paint.

I used what I researched was quality primer and paint readily available to me here locally. others have use different brands and stated great results.

did not use any flexibilizer although to me wouldn't hurt. it may not add to crack protection but it won't detract from it. good for having more flexibility while installing from what iv'e read. in fact, would have used it but my supplier was out of it at the time.

these bumpers are 50 years old so to me you can spray what you hope is the best product to prevent cracking but you can't control what the expansion and contraction of the old endura is going to do. should small hairline cracks develop down the road, it won't bother me at all.

[HWYSTR455]

That's what I'm using, the PPG Deltron 2000 stuff, same series epoxy primer, though my body/paint guy insisted on using the flex agent.


.

[HWYSTR455]

He did a 600 grit sand on the primer, then used a sealer on top of it. He also insisted on letting each stage cure 2 weeks min.

Hoping he will shoot the color next week, but we will see. ( BC/CC ). Think he said 4 or 5 coats of clear, can't recall at the moment.



.

[Greg Reid]

In the '68-'69 forums, we had a guy, user name 'PaulatFast', who was making a good case for his endura finishing technique. If I ever redo mine, I'll use it. SPI epoxy primer only.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...&highlight=SPI

[HWYSTR455]

Yes, Paul at Fast Resto is THE guy, and trust all he says. My body guy called him after I gave him his contact info and they talked long and hard. Paul is a super guy.

Luckily my endura was in excellent condition, only minor paint cracks from palms of hands from shutting the hood. It needed no repair.

Since I had already provided the primer, paint, and clear, my body guy went with it, and he did speak to Paul about the PPG stuff, it's quality stuff.

That's why my guy did the sanding of the primer, per Paul's advice. And the flex agent just takes longer to setup, that's about it, has the similar results as the SPI. So I'm not concerned about it.

The guy who did my endura before also spoke to Paul, as well as I. That was like in '97-'98 or so, that gives you an idea of how long it lasted.

You can see on my build thread the pics of the endura, before & after, pretty sure I posted it a couple weeks ago.



.

[HWYSTR455]

Here's one pic on disassembly a year ago, that's the same paint job and all on there from like 97-98.

The light is kind of funny in the pic, but if you zoom, you can barely see some of the spider cracks on the nose.



.

[Greg Reid]

Yes, it still looks very good.
I had intended for my painter to spray directly over my epoxy per Paul's instructions but he had already topped it with surface primer before we could discuss it. It's been nine years and fortunately, I have only some very fine spider web cracks on the inside radii of the bumper in the grille area. I can definitely live with that.. Hard to see even in person..
You can see what I'm talking about in this pic, right above the license plate screw.

Sorry for the slight hijack...back to topic.

[JUDGE3]

that is a beautiful blue on that 68.

I'm sure there are numerous quality products to use I just used the best available near me because being my 2nd effort at painting and my first was way back in 2009, I wanted it readily available should I have a miscue and need more product.

If hairline cracks develop down the road I figure they will be irrelevant blasting down the quarter mile.

sidenote, this firebird was originally a silver car. I went with base/clear over single stage because I wanted the ability to fix a screw up. otherwise I would have been plenty pleased with single stage. for me, I was after a same quality paint job as oem. to my excitement I exceeded that so i'm a happy camper.

[Greg Reid]

The results speak for themselves. It looks fantastic.

[JUDGE3]

I promise i'm not trying to bump this thread! lol the car is just coming together now the thread will end soon ha ha.

fuel tank is out, awaiting my new sending unit so perfect day to complete all stripes and decals. still have to apply the clear urethane paint protection tomorrow but the big stuff is done.

was not hard after all applying them just gotta go slow.

[JUDGE3]

no fuel tank so can't move car for all angle pics and after 8 years i'm done pushing it around! rainy day finally here really enjoyed it. been in severe drought all summer.

[JUDGE3]

mercy am I ready to drive it till the wheels fall off.

Beware originals, a bully has just been born.

[Greg Reid]

It looks incredible. Great job.

[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

It looks incredible. Great job.

Thank you Greg, been a lot of work and long haul but a blast just the same.

[JUDGE3]

so in having had a 1980 TransAm I remember in short time the flares and bottom of the car was pebbled up quickly. now granted that was my only car and drivin a lot. now I live off a sand gravel road and my sand gravel driveway is 300 ft long as well. was never a thought to NOT apply the 3m stuff.

I do have a benifit with white paint, can hardly see the line from it. was more tedious than the decals because I had to make patterns first. my rolls were 12" wide and behind the fenders and rear quarters I came up almost that high. covered the flares inside and out and even put pieces inside the fender behind the tire. the peace of mind having that on is going to be great.

didnt enjoy the tedious effort it was but like all of it, feels good when done.

[JUDGE3]

meanwhile ups rolls up with my new fuel tank sending unit. perfect timing. ohms checked it and moved on with the reinstall.

did I guess a redneck pressure test and soapy water sprayed around the o ring to be sure no leaks. poured a half gallon or so of gas in and turned it upside down just to overkill the leak check.

had a feeling I have not got to enjoy for awhile. realized I was working on a complete driving car. fun bein under there lookin around at all the new solid installs and rustproofed to the nth degree.

anyway finished up the fuel tank install and it calibrated perfectly to my speedhut fuel gauge. dig it.