[JayWilson]

Here's the story - working in a town I hate, working on my Master's degree at the same time. Will be here 2-4 more years, so we're limited in what we can acquire as far as housing goes (no sense in buying here, nearly impossible to find a rental house with a garage, hoping to find a good carport).

About eleven months from now, I'll be seeking to acquire a '70 Dodge Charger in good, running condition (with all the parts present, an engine I can deal with until I purchase a crate 440, and NO significant body damage) - and I'll pay more up front to save time.

Here's the problem - ideally, need a garage. If that's out, need a good carport, a locking car cover, and a reasonably-sized shed in the back for the loose parts during the restomod process. However, I'm worried about keeping the shell/car-in-progress under a carport, even with a locking car cover on it.

I plan to buy the car, tear it down, assess any sheet metal needing to be replaced, media-blast the entire thing, then immediately repair the sheet metal before primering and sealing the entire shell up. Then, paint/undercoat the interior, trunk, underside, and framerails.

Then I'd begin work on re-assembly - installing the interior (some custom work there), custom hoodscoop, install the suspension/drivetrain, etc. Once that's done, then proceed to smooth/filler/block the car for painting.

I was told via Yahoo answers that the process I've outlined will be sufficient (that I can get away with keeping the body under a good primer/sealer for some time before I begin the filler/block work.

1. So the questions are, can I get away with a good bit of time between the media-blasting/sealing/primering and the filler/block work?

2. Also, if the shell is primered/sealered (with the underside/interior/framerails painted) and spends 90% of it's time under a waterproof car cover under a carport, will it be okay while I'm finishing the restoration process?

3. And finally, is the body filler just as effective over primer/sealer, or does it need to be applied specifically to bare metal?

I'd considered going ahead and painting/clearcoating everything before installing the components, but didn't want to take a chance on damaging the paint getting everything back on/in.

Answers to my questions, plus any advice in general, is more than appreciated!

[Countilaw]

After media blasting, you could apply 2 or 3 coats of Epoxy Sealer and leave it as is. Which would mean that you must sand before applying primer at a later date.

or,

you could apply 2 or 3 coats of Epoxy Sealer followed immediately with a good grade of 2k high fil primer.

The 2k primer is easier to sand than the Epoxy, Which you have to sand anyway when starting your bodywork. So if you apply the 2k primer, you save yourself one step of sanding.

Either case, if you keep the car covered and mostly out of the weather, you should be fine. You could even do a little bodywork off and on during the good weather or time that you would have.

I hope this has answered your question.

Frank

[MARTINSR]

You want opinions right? I say skip this plan completely until you have a garage. Do some smaller projects to keep the blood flowing but this project is WAY too big for a car port in a "temporary" home.

Brian

[79C10]

You're right on the money with the 'steps' of your resto-process .
a carport would work ( I restored a 72 skylark in mine ) , but if you check online , they sell steel 'garages' that would serve you better . Then you could work even in inclement weather.
Best of luck with it!

[Cape Cod Bob]

why nottry to find a local car club that has thier own garage that members can keep cars inside most of the time? join them and let the fun begin. maybe u would like the town better with some friends with similar interests.