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I start with looking at the car, and talking to you about what you are looking for. Are you looking for an original restoration, or a full blown custom? We’ll discuss any modifications you want: interior design, custom engine compartment covers, air ride systems, etc. Whatever you dream up I can build. I take hundreds of pictures throughout the build to document the process.

Tearing the Car Down
I begin by disassembling the car. I take pictures and label everything. I pay attention to how the part comes off. This can make the assembly go a lot easier. As I pull pieces off the car I label their condition: needs restoration, needs re-chroming, cleaning only, need new part. I then sandblast and soda blast the car to white metal.

Panel Alignment
After I strip the car to bare metal I put all the panels back on the body. I align the panels and get everything as close as the panels allow. Then I do whatever metal work that needs to be done so the panels are flush with each other and the gaps are even. Sometimes you have to add metal to the gaps and sometimes you have to remove metal. Either way I work the gaps until they are even. Some cars have cast quarter caps. These are notorious for not fitting. I work them until they fit right. On Mopars, especially when you bolt the quarter caps on, the tightening of the nut causes the cap to walk. I have a special process to stop this from happening. Where you bolt the cap is where it stays.

Rust Repair
I do not overlay panels. I always butt-weld panels to each other. That way it is a better joint, and you can seal up the back of the weld better. With some extra attention to the backside of the weld you can make the seam invisible from the backside. This makes for a very clean looking trunk area on a restoration. When you put floor pans in this way you can’t tell that you've replaced the floor pans. This makes for a better looking car. If a panel is not available for your car I can make one for it.

Trial Fit Moldings
When the body is in bare metal I trial fit all the moldings. If they don’t fit right I figure out why not. Is the molding bent or twisted? Maybe the panel was welded on wrong from the factory? I have seen this before. Once I figure out the problem I fix it, and make sure the molding fits well. Nothing is worse than putting on a molding after the car is painted and it chips the paint or doesn’t fit. I take care of this before it becomes a problem.

Bodywork
I use the newest in PPG products. The bodywork has to be good to show off the paint. Most projects get block-sanded twice for that really smooth look. I lead all the factory seams, and fully buff every panel. I finish color sanding with 2000 grit paper, and buff to a high luster shine.