Paint & Body Work Custom Painting | Panel Repairs & Replacement

No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 12:39 AM
  #1  
great421's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
Default No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!

All -

For those interested in seeing the final transition of "the ugliest Firebird in the WORLD" into a street car that my gf would actually ride in, here's the "BEFORE" thread:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...-required.html

Attached is one picture of how it looked a couple of months ago and a number of pics of how it looks today

(Let the flames begin on how a 4th gen should NEVER have a 2nd gen bird on the hood!)
Attached Thumbnails No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!-img00133.jpg   No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!-1102091347.jpg   No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!-1102090945.jpg   No longer the Ugliest Firebird in the WORLD!-1102090959.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 05:39 AM
  #2  
McNord's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Glendale, AZ
Default

Looks great, I like the bird!
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 05:58 AM
  #3  
02silvaZ's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

not bad at all, in my opinion
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 08:46 AM
  #4  
BLWNLT1_T/A's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

nice... Great work.

I think I currently have the ugliest trans am on ls1tech forum.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 09:00 AM
  #5  
pheer's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx
Default

Originally Posted by BLWNLT1_T/A
nice... Great work.

I think I currently have the ugliest trans am on ls1tech forum.
...thats saying something....


car looks great, the bird actually looks really good as well!
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 11:55 AM
  #6  
CarsAddict's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Default

I think it looked great before personally, though even better afterwards. Great paint job
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #7  
BLWNLT1_T/A's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

well i do....
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2009 | 09:35 PM
  #8  
Detoxx03's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 74
From: Woodward Avenue
Default

You guys are kidding yourselves I have the ugliest one on tech.

OP great job. I'm not sold on the bird 100% but can't take anything away from you for doing a great job.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 06:37 AM
  #9  
great421's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
Default

Wow - yeah, I was right there with you man...

I spent so much time on the engine (Rebuilt, 30-over, Squires Turbo, Meth Kit, etc...), drivetrain and suspension, that I forgot the thing had to (ultimately) look good too.

My father always says never do anything to a car that doesn't make it faster or safer, but after driving around in "the Calico Cat" for over 6 months, I knew it was time to address the exterior.

Stick with it! It can look as good as it runs!

My gf now picks my car over her's every time!

(Having said that, nothing is more fun than blowing away a Shelby KR or Z06 with an ugly POS! The looks on the various driver's faces is priceless!)

Originally Posted by BLWNLT1_T/A
well i do....
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 08:30 AM
  #10  
fuel_junkie's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Default

Im Planning on painting my 96 camaro someday and was wondering how much painting experience you had before doing the T/a. Also any close up shots of the t/a and what was the hardest part?
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 08:48 AM
  #11  
6techniques's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 0
Default

good job, love the old school bird!
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 09:43 AM
  #12  
hotrodscrap's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Texas/Somewhere in Southwest Asia
Default

Nice, side pictures please!

-SS
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 10:25 AM
  #13  
great421's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by fuel_junkie
Im Planning on painting my 96 camaro someday and was wondering how much painting experience you had before doing the T/a. Also any close up shots of the t/a and what was the hardest part?
I had zero automotive painting experience - but as an engineer, I knew it could be done, it would probably just take a lot longer to figure it out.

The hardest part was all the prep work! After sanding 60% of the car (and getting progressively better), I had to go back and resand from the beginning. Every little detail missed / done poorly in the prep work shows up in the finished product! (Ask me know I know!)

Don't think this'll be done over a weekend; sanding with 220 took an entire weekend! (Then I had to go over it with 320 and 400 as well!)

I now know why painters charge the amount they do - the prep work takes forever!
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 05:15 PM
  #14  
02gtp4now's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,748
Likes: 0
From: lebanon,mo
Default

looks good i like the bird aswell
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 10:17 AM
  #15  
LoudGM's Avatar
Teching In
15 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Default

Looks good man!!!! That bird is huge! haha
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 05:47 PM
  #16  
69z-28's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 2
From: Wauconda, Il
Default

great job! im diggin it
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 06:08 PM
  #17  
Transamman25's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Memphis , Tennessee
Default

Love that bird !
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 07:20 PM
  #18  
joesscamaro252's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Default

Yeah, probably 70% of a paint job looking good is in the prep work
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2009 | 03:35 AM
  #19  
f-bodyguy's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: paducah ky
Default

hate the bird hoods...but you pulled it off nice A+
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2009 | 12:46 PM
  #20  
fuel_junkie's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Default

What tools did you use or have access too. Also how big of a compressor did you need?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE