|
|
41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 16, 2012, 6:50 AM
Post #1 of 17
(3249 views)
|
|
41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
Hello Gents,
I have a beautiful 1941 DeSoto (has 585 on the title). She has been modified a bit but needs some TLC. Right now it has a 350 Small Block in it. I have no earthly idea how many miles are on it.
Now onto the questions. I live in Baltimore. We put enough salt on the roads to kill a horse. Would it be better to do paint first and then all the other fun? She needs quite a bit of interior work. I am concerned if I get her painted that when the work is done on the interior that the paint might get damaged. I took it and got a 4k estimate and most of that is body work. There is rust in the trunk and like I said the interior needs work too. Will I damage my paint when I crawl in the trunk and start removing the rust myself? My family believes one more year of rust won't hurt anything that isn't already done... she has a point, since the gas tank wasn't strapped down and I didn't even notice!!!
Also, I have the original wheels on the front and the huge fat boys on the rear, will this make it more bouncy or do I just need to have the shocks changed out?
I am having a heck of a time finding someone up here who will work on the brakes. I want to put disk brakes on her. Since the car has been modified, is this out of the question or do I just need to determine the rear end and go from there?
Lastly, my DeSoto only has two windows on the side. It does not have the third bubble window. Does anyone have an idea what model this is? I am looking for paint and can't find any body styles exactly like mine. I get close with the two door models but not 'all' matches. ////// I finally found a photo. My car is a 1941 Business Man's Coupe.. FANTASTIC!!/////
Thank you for your time!
(This post was edited by 41_DeSoto on Sep 16, 2012, 8:24 AM)
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2012, 12:40 PM
Post #3 of 17
(3183 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
41 DeSoto Business Coupe. Should look close to this when new..........
Really don't recall any but Biz Coupes kinda didn't have a back seat on some others - strictly for biz not so much for creature comforts. None matters now except what you want to make of this thing and the budget. IMO $4,000 for a paint job doesn't reflect going nuts - probably more like $20,000 up for a frame off deal!
Hey - you have to decide on how far to go. Just a neat driver or Hot Rod it out which seems like what the direction was going.
Rust! Huh. I know Baltimore pretty well, (Charlestown/Catonsville area) you don't know rust and salt there. Doesn't matter as you probably don't know where the car has been. Might have spent some time on bottom on inner harbor.
1. If stored dry existing rust should stop where it is for the most part.
2. Disc brakes? That will be a project big time unless you can join some club for these and find pre-made and engineered parts. Things change by the day but you used to find places that could reline your existing shoes. Correct springs and wheel cylinder (may have top and bottom on each?) could be tricky to find new or rebuilt - dunno.
Perhaps not considered yet by you is do you have a place to leave this, store it dry? If not that will be a huge problem.
A great source that I think is still live and kicking is HemmingsMotorNews.com . Was a couple years ago I was almost certain I saw a paper copy of it in a magazine section of a drug store chain. No doubt available on line too and I'll let you check,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2012, 12:42 PM
Post #4 of 17
(3180 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
I should have known re-tired would know off the top of his head the 1st best place!
T
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 16, 2012, 1:16 PM
Post #5 of 17
(3173 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
I got the car in TN so I know it hasn't been at the bottom of the inner harbor LOL but thank you so much for all the advice. I am glad to know I wasn't too far off the mark on paint. I am still concerned about interior work on something freshly painted. The interior needs lots of work though. I will check the sites that you all sent me.
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 16, 2012, 1:19 PM
Post #6 of 17
(3171 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
Also, I am not going to store this car.. I want to drive it. That is why I am so worried about paint and the undercarriage..
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2012, 1:41 PM
Post #7 of 17
(3169 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
By all rights work on say Upholstery and whatever interior work shouldn't hurt a paint job as that would be sloppy work. If paint is to be done with interior parts out, seats, door panels, flooring of some type headliner etc etc and those are to be redone have them done while paint and body/frame is being done at the same time. Each should be careful of the other's work.
High chance that some brightwork on outside is fastened inside doors and I personally don't like taping off parts, door handles, moldings, letters saying DeSoto and assorted things but paint with all that off. It goes on to door jams and stuff all over just seems sloppy if you care if not removed, prepped and painted.
Things like that you discuss your wishes and person/shop that will be doing the work. Just make sure you and providers of what you want and how are on the same page,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 16, 2012, 3:46 PM
Post #8 of 17
(3158 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
Well, I was just getting the paint and body done first because I was worried about rust... the shop that is doing the paint is not the same as the one doing the upholstery. I will let you guys know how it goes! Thanks again for all the input!
|
|
| |
|
|
re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2012, 9:16 PM
Post #9 of 17
(3144 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
From first hand experience. Ive done several back yard resto's NOT 100 point stuff ,but good enough. If you have a lot of rust in the body corners, floors and such then according to your budget , BEER or BURBOUN, I would either cut out the rust and weld in new metal.Or grind down to clean metal and glass and bondo .Then after cleaning in and out , primer everything .THen you can work at your lesiure on interior. for the front , a mustang 2 front subassembly gives you independent suspension ,rack and pinion steering and disk brakes in one step. Google hotrod front end to find one. Have fun .
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 25, 2012, 2:27 PM
Post #10 of 17
(3077 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
It has disk brakes from a 70ish Camero. The rear is still unknown but the springs are being replaced to make the suspension right. The problem I have now is the steering column. The blinker switch on the column is bad and I would like to put in something with a more retro look. Do you know of a steering column that I could put in it? And truthfully, how hard would it be if I got a whole new column? 
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Sep 28, 2012, 10:28 AM
Post #11 of 17
(3053 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
OK.. I got in trouble for starting a new thread...  Here is the message I posted that is now locked...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have the suspension where I want it now. So on to the next thing, what do you recommend for sound proofing? Dynamite and Eastwood both have the sheets that you can install yourself but the price is pretty different. There is also the Lizard Skin that might actually turn out better on some of the tight spots. What do you all recommend?
Thanks for all the great advice so far! I put it to good use!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since no one made a comment on the steering column issue, I thought I should start a new thing for each question. Anyhow, live and learn. (BTW, hoping it is an independent light issues vice wiring and new blinker switch)
I have since learned that a great deal of people use peel and seal from Home Depot/Lowes or duct liner. Still would like advice. I may use it in the trunk area just to give her more weight. (We are not racing anymore)
|
|
| |
|
|
nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Oct 1, 2012, 1:56 PM
Post #12 of 17
(3029 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto to paint or not to paint
|
Sign In
|
|
Ididit and Lokar both make steering columns with turn signal switches, horn wiring and such for the type of job you are looking to do. They specialize in customs and classics and should have what you need for this with simple wiring.
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Oct 1, 2012, 2:39 PM
Post #13 of 17
(3023 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
OK!! I am learning as I go. I found out my blinkers are dependent on all the lights working. Since the wiring had gotten knocked loose whilst strapping down the gas tank.. wah lah.. the light was loose, simple things are the undoing of us all!! anyhow, problem solved. I am happy about that. The thought of changing out the column bugged me, since the gears are smooth and there isn't any lag.
Now onto the next venture. My wipers are not working..  She has the old vacuum operated ones. I got under there and put WD40 on the arms and everything to loosen them up. I was told they worked before me getting her. So, I am guessing it is not a voltage issue EXCEPT I read on the forums where a 6volt system would work for a little while and then stop on a 12volt system.
I am not well versed in these things but the motor is a little half moon thing with the vacuum tube being a normal rubber hose. Is it smarter to get these to work or try and switch it out with a more modern system?
If it is a better idea to switch it out, anyone got ideas on what would be compatible with the split windshield?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 1, 2012, 9:57 PM
Post #14 of 17
(3014 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
Vacuum wiper motors are not electric anything. If the vacuum motor(s) are good then the source and hose to them is the issue. If integrity of vacuum parts and switches is good then just a good source of vacuum (usually just intake manifold) is fine and they go slow going up hill. You probably won't find one but fuel pumps were made such that top of those engine mounted pumps was a vacuum pump so they didn't quit with engine loads.
Making them electric now from scratch will be tricky. Hope something is already made for that if you really wish to do that,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Oct 2, 2012, 6:24 AM
Post #15 of 17
(3004 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
Thank you.. I'm pretty sure it is rusted. When the breather/vent into the cabin was removed the arm that operated it was left and then bondo'd shut, but now it leaks and I don't know how long it had been leaking on the washer assembly. Anyhow, it is rusted. I gut under there and put WD40 all over it but it may be like you said and there isn't enough vacuum getting in there. Thank you for the input.. i'll keep you posted.
Donna
|
|
| |
|
|
41_DeSoto
User
Jan 31, 2013, 11:25 AM
Post #16 of 17
(2800 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
Ok.. it's been a while. I'm hoping my new profile pic is up so you can see what has been done so far. Got her in paint and sealed up the body as best I could. As far as the soundproofing, I went with Stinger. It is like night and day in there. The doors close with that great sound now instead of like I'm kicking a can across the road. You can talk in there and I can almost hear my phone  ... only half the interior is done as I still need to pull the seats out and it just got too cold up here for the stuff to get a good fix. You can honestly go out there right now and pull off that stuff. It does not like the cold.
Ok, next.. As far as the windshield and rear window.. both still leak. I tried the rust-o-ilium spray leak seal.. it probably would have worked much better had the weather not been so cold, it still leaks. I ordered new window seals from Steele Rubber. I'll post how that did later.
As far as the interior. All I have done is the doors with wainscoting painted red with an extreme clear coat on them. Hindsight being what it is, it probably would have been easier to go with vinyl and make panels from particle board or cardboard but I wanted something snazy. It looks cool as all get out but let the slightest thing get under and snag one of those little thin boards and they split.. so there you are changing one. Not gonna lie though, it looks real nice and those boards are roughly 11 bucks a pack at lowes or home depot.
Now I'm in search of bows for the headliner. Does anyone know if you can just make metal bars that are the same length and just make hooks on the ends? It doesn't seem that hard but every upholstery shop I call says I'm screwed if I don't have the bows.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 1, 2013, 7:41 AM
Post #17 of 17
(2782 views)
|
|
Re: 41 DeSoto JOB!!!!!
|
Sign In
|
|
Hey - like the avatar!
Window leaks? Careful with junk out there. Even I default to the auto glass places that specialise in just glass. There are chain stores for just glass but might check for a local sole proprietor shop for this.
Same with headliner. Gotta find an auto upholstery place for even a clue for the best fix. I'm no exception but the folks who did all this are now old and the sub trades seem scarce to find.
Been thru a few restorations and had better help now just loosing it locally as not profitable.
If you haven't yet check out Hemmings Motor News - Bennington, VT. Join a DeSoto Club too if not already..............
Tom
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
