Paint finally starting to go onto 57 AGIN

[Zapato]

I'd want to know the lifespan of the vinyl tape before making that decision.

Zap-

[57AGIN]

Zapato:

I agree with that.  I believe that the vinyl tape Santini would use may have clear painted over it, which would extend its life.  Based on experience with my Shelby's vinyl tape, if it is on the side of the car there isn't too much of a problem.  However, if it is on the deck lid,roof or hood it is subject to atmospheric pollutants getting on it and staining the vinyl.  I'll be sure to check this out thoroughly before that decision is made.

Bob
57 AGIN

[Ford Blue blood]

Bob the tape on my 08 GT500 is doing fine.  It is parked outside under a car port, gets waxed once a year with McGuires' Gold and sprayed and wiped down with Mothers "spray on, wipe dry" wax every wash.  The finish passes the "baggie" test and the white is as nice as can be.  I feel the vinyl will do very well on the side and I expect the car will be out of the sun for the most part.

[Zapato]

please explain the "baggie test", that's a new one for me.

Zap-

[Ford Blue blood]

To check your paint for contaminants (in need of clay baring) put a plastic sandwich bag over your hand and lightly rub the freshly washed surface.  If there is stuff in the finish the baggie will grab, if it is clean it will be smooth with no grabbing.  Mostly the horizontal surfaces are what get the most of the stuff.  Remember, todays paint is basicly a plastic and does get stuff inthe surface.

[57AGIN]

Well Guys:

I just got back from a short vacation (about 50 miles from home, lol) and went over to Santini's to see what had been done while I was gone.  Lo and behold, I found some of the blue actually on the car.  Like Rich, I was "stoked."  The firewall, top and dash have had the blue applied and cleared (still not buffed out).  He indicated that the doors will be hung today and the front fenders and hood will be mocked up (placed as close as possible to where they will be mounted) so he can spray the colors across the adjascent panels to ensure the color mixtures and application are all blended correctly.  Things are coming together, at last.

After leaving Santini's, I picked up my new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and throughout bearing,  When The transmission and these pieces go together there will be a photo session which should appear in some publication.  I'll keep you all appraised of that, too.

Meanwhile, here are a couple of photos I took yesterday.

Bob
57 AGIN

[Zapato]

All I can say is WOW! That blue looks incredible specially on the dash and how it wraps around.

Zap-

[57AGIN]

Zapato:

I thought the same thing when I saw it yesterday.  One of the things that Santini was quite proud of was the glove box cover, he painted the inside to match the outside.  Small thing, but he thought it was neat.  By the way, so did I.

Bob
57 AGIN

[Zapato]

its the little things that add up to make the difference. are you using all the factory surrounds on the clock etc.... ? Any straight on shots of the dash ?

Zap-

[57AGIN]

Zapato:

All I can give you at this time is a shot of the dash before the work started.

Bob
57 AGIN

[RICH MUISE]

Wow! That's looking awesome. That man sure knows about details making the difference.There's such an incredible amount of work to gettin' it all done right as he's doing... And so much more still to be done with the color sanding and buffing. He's making it worth your wait Bob.

[Zapato]

Zapato:

All I can give you at this time is a shot of the dash before the work started.

Bob
57 AGIN

looks much better now...............

Zap-

[trent17]

I like the detail work on the glove box. That will payoff big time for the finish product.

[57AGIN]

Here's the latest:

When I went by the shop on Tuesday night, I found the 57 outside the garage still waiting for the doors and fenders to be hung or mocked up for Santini's continued painting.  Lo, it was not to be, as more insurance work came in. Disappointing, yes, but that's what happens when you are depending on others.  Rich, wish I had your skills and knowledge.  So the wait continues.  I took a couple of shots with better lighting and angles.

Bob
57 AGIN

PS: I hope I can clean up the Cragars after all this is done!!!

[RICH MUISE]

LOL...knowledge?? The only thing I know for sure is it's so damn slow. If you were doing it yourself it probably wouldn't be this far along and, at our age, the only person you would be get to be frustrated with is yourself.   Rich