DeLorean restoration | FerrariChat

DeLorean restoration

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by shmark, Mar 30, 2012.

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  1. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #1 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My brother is restoring a DeLorean and I thought you might like to see the progress. It's a relatively clean 16k mile car that has simply been neglected for a long time. The interior is in decent shape except for the carpet. The engine is tight but the CIS fuel system needed a thorough cleaning and refresh. The biggest issue is that it's not silver. It's white. PEARL white. With some kind of weird camo netting on the front grill and GOLD FOIL on the (white) wheel centercaps. No idea what the PO was thinking, but the story from the son was "he had a bunch of DeLoreans, so why not paint a couple?"

    I should mention Steve has always wanted one of these since we were kids. He likes them for what they are, seriously cool doors, stainless steel construction, a real piece of automotive history.

    Pic #1, arrival at the shop.
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  2. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #2 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    After a bath, it actually looks pretty good. And yes I've told him to work on his photography skills....

    Note the front grill. Might be the strangest thing I've ever seen.
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  3. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #3 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
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  4. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #4 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
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  5. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #5 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
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    First fender off the car and cleaned up. Looks like they did rough up the surface a bit before painting, but it really isn't too bad. Of course the whole car will be regrained.
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  6. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #6 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
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  7. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #7 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It's finally starting to look like a DeLorean again. All the panels look just as straight, but we'll know more as the rest of the paint is removed. So far so good. That's all the pics I have for now, but he'll keep sending them as progress is made.
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  8. MITYRARE

    MITYRARE F1 Rookie

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    love it!


    Please keep this thread going and update regularly with pics.


    beev
     
  9. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    BTW I lifted that front trunk lid after he removed the struts (which were shot anyway) and I could not believe how HEAVY it was. I'm used to light panels but that was something else. One thing is for sure, these cars were not cheap tin cans. They were built relatively heavily, although at 2800lbs or so they are light compared to modern cars.
     
  10. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    Will do!
     
  11. ferrariartist

    ferrariartist F1 Rookie

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    LOVE the DeLoreans. Been the photographer for the Ontario Owners Group up here in Canada.
    Great thread... will keep looking in here. Good luck with the resto. Looks like its in good hands.

    Seem pics of a variety of colours and there a gold/bronze colour here in Ontario. But the bare stainless is still the one that I like best.

    Looks like the door struts are a little weak, eh? :) Common problem...

    GT
     
  12. White Knight

    White Knight Formula 3

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    Very cool! This will be a fun thread to follow.
     
  13. atomicskiracer

    atomicskiracer Formula 3

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    Great thread, looking forward to following!
     
  14. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    Something I never really though about, the panels on a DeLorean had to be perfect when they were made. Normal cars can hide imperfections behind bondo and paint, but on these cars that wasn't an option. So unless the paint removal uncovers something hidden, the bodywork consists of cleaning and regraining - no metal work (hopefully). The other nice thing is the body panels all come off, so they can be restored individually.

    The urethane panels are a little different. They will be corn-cob blasted (because it's much gentler) and then painted using the original factory spec. Personally I can't wait to see how they turn out.
     
  15. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    My friend collects and restores Deloreans. He has three currently. One is painted red because there was some damage to the body panels that he said was impossible/maybe financially impractical, to repair. I guess thats the #1 reason some Deloreans get painted, too expensive to repair the stainless.

    This is a fun project...hope they dont run into any badly damages body panels.
     
  16. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #16 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Another pic with a word from Steve:

    Using a chemical stripping agent that takes about 5 applications. There are much harsher agents that work faster, but not on our DMC. The urethane on top blisters pretty easily. Problem is under the next layer is primer, then some ugly black with red candy laquer. The laquer turns to mush with the agent applied. About an 8 on the suck-o-meter...
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  17. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #17 shmark, Mar 30, 2012
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  18. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Cool thread... love the Deloreans!

    Wheeler Dealers had an episode with one, here's the intro vid.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4l6INqv68[/ame]
     
  19. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    i will enjoy watching this one! have fun!!

    pcb
     
  20. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    Awesome thread. I will be buying a Delorean very soon.
     
  21. White Knight

    White Knight Formula 3

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    I actually don't mind the white so much...but yes, it should be brought back to it's former glory.

    Are you doing any performance upgrades? Or just going "new" stock config?
     
  22. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #22 shmark, Mar 31, 2012
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  23. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    At this point the goal is a really nice driver in stock configuration. There are a bunch of possible mods out there (I saw one with a transplanted 3-rotor 20B of all things), but for now stock is good. Can't rule anything out though. :D

    And you would have to see the pearl white in person, was just wrong on the car. Needed a pimp-daddy hat just to sit in it.
     
  24. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #24 shmark, Apr 3, 2012
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  25. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

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    #25 shmark, Apr 3, 2012
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    The snake looking material was glued to the front grill. Adhesive remover and duplicolor trim paint will do nicely. The emblem is alluminum and will polish with the brush wheel on the grinder. Maybe ted nugent wants the material lol
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