The more I see, the deeper I go.

keithfullmeryahoocom

Boy, I'm getting in deep with the restoration of my '50.  It's one of those deals where the deeper I go, the worse I see.  I've  pretty much committed myself to a complete, clip off, interior and wire stripping, rotisserie-type, nut and bolt restoration at this point.   When I bought the car I didn't see that much work, but the more I get into seeing what the previous owner had done, the less I can accept and  live with it.  So....the deeper I tear and dive into.  Collision damage, bad  bondo, mice damage, covered up shoody workmanship--I'm trying to keep my spirits up.    I'm just getting a lot of parts and pieces off of this old gal, filling up my shop.  I'm into the dark, depressing, (not to mention pricey) part of the restoration--the area that tries attitudes.  Maybe I'll try to find a big photo of a beautiful, finished '50 Commodore and hang it in the garage for inspiration.

The good side of it, is I am one week away from full retirement and I will be enjoying time that I have never had before.   Also, I have lots of storage space and room at my restoration garage that I can dedicate to the project.   I have taken a ton of pictures to help me remember how to get her back together, as I have a feeling that by the time it starts to go the other way, I'll be really, really, old.  Lol.

No turning back now, must push forward.  Wish me luck, fellas,--maybe throw me a lifeline...k

Browniepetersen

Keith, If you lived close by I would drop by and pull up a chair and enjoy the process with you.  shortly before I retired I acquired the English 36 in my photo that was totally disassembled.  Each day I would go into my shop and pick up a part, restore it, and figure out where it went.  This process went on for near to four months until I could take it to the interior shop and visit it for a few months while it was finished.  A really fun part of my life.  Now, both my wife and I are retired I find a have a number of projects to work on and really love the short work sessions that I am having with my 54...  I thought it would be a quick paint job and on the road; however, I guess to have a dependable car it takes a bit more time and effort....

Anyway, good luck with the process and let us know how it goes....  It makes us all feel better about our projects.

Kdancy

That's always the way I've found it. always more work than anticipated!
It kills me when I see "easy restoration" in an add!
One day at a time and it'll be finished up before you know it.
Keep us posted-

Ol racer

Keith,
 Dont get discouraged. I suggest prioitize your Project (Mechanical, Interior, Bodywork, & Electrical), then rotate between the difficult and the easier tasks with an occassional break in-beteen. Ive restored some really basket cases that became even worse after dissembled..I think that's a normal finding after any car is torn apart. I often wondered if it would ever be finished, but kept plugging away then one day it was completed. Keep in mind, not everyone can do a 100% Show Car restoration in their attached garage, so just do the best you can with your tools, finances, & expertise  I think an occasional venting or asking for advice on this Forum will help too. Keep us Posted.. Perhaps if we would show some before & after pictures would help...

Park_W

All sounds very familiar.  I'm betting any Hudnut's spouse will testify to the phenomenon of the ever-growing project!

RL Chilton

Some people call it project creep.  My wife calls it the "Sequential Vortex", where you need to do a certain task, but another task (that needs to be done) is currently in the way of performing the first task.  But in order to do the 2nd task proplerly, yet another task (#3) has to be cleared out of the way . . . and on it goes.  

Chuck is right, it helps to take photos, start a progress thread or start a blog.  Share your progress with others that will appreciate your efforts and can keep you on track.  Focus on the small tasks, one at a time, but never lose sight of the big picture.  You mentioned putting a picture of a finished car on the wall.  I always had (and still do) have a picture of a finished convertible clipped to the sun visor of my daily driver.  

A diligent craftsman can always do a better job than a professional.  The money factor is completely different.  The professional has to make money doing restorations.  The amateur only has to control the spending, which is WAY less stressful.  Time is less important as well, but don't let your project be idle.  I always try to accomplish something every single day, even if it's working at tracking down a part, or cleaning up one part.  Something got done every single day.  Add up enough days and your project will inevitably get completed.

Having a restored car is TWICE as sweet when you can say, at the end of the day, "I did it myself".   

keithfullmeryahoocom

Thanks for the encouragement, Fellas.  Seems like some of you have take on some extraordinary (reads crazy) restorations, and I will do well to try to learn and persevere with mine.  I do get in a bit of a funk every once in a while and need to take a break, step back and clean my shop, just to gain some prospective in where I've come from and where I'm going.  It helps to hear from some of you guys who have obviously been there.  There seems to be a point in every project where I have to remind myself that I do this for satisfaction, sanity and  fun--nothing fiscally responsible about it.

I truly enjoy the journey of this type of project, and although I will take my hat off to the total do-it-yourselfers, I know my limitations and I'll be hiring and buying my way through some of it.  I have done several restorations and I know some there are some tasks that I tend to lose concentration and patience with.  I don't give in easily, but when I know that I can get a better job done by a pro or sometimes just to save some of my energy for the things I like to do, I'll get help.   I've learned some of this the hard/expensive way.  Lol.  

I'm moving forward in jerks and surges--next, I need to talk to the bumper experts on what I can do to get some of this sprung, tweaked, iron to fit better before I get ready to spend a pile on shinyness.   

Thanks, again,  sometimes it's reassuring to hear from the guys who have been in the same pit and saw their way fit to crawl their way out...k