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First Gen Camaro Restoration - Block Party

We Tag Along As Classic Restoration Enterprises Block Sands And Jambs An L78 Camaro Convertible

By Frank H. Cicerale, Photography by Frank H. Cicerale
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Here, you can see some low spots on the passenger side quarterpanel. While Martin prefers to work the metal as opposed to using filler, small spots such as these are easier to be made whole with filler as opposed to spending time working the metal and possibly making the situation worse. This is what blocking a car will, do--it reveals any low spots (or in some cases high spots) in the metal.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Here, you can see some low spots on the passenger side quarterpanel. While Martin prefers
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Once Martin was finished with the long block, he moved onto the round block, which he used for touch up work and the small area by the window.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Once Martin was finished with the long block, he moved onto the round block, which he used
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    There were a couple of low spots on the door that required filler, so Martin whipped up a colorful concoction of Evercoat lightweight filler and the correct amount of hardener.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    There were a couple of low spots on the door that required filler, so Martin whipped up a
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    The filler was then applied to the car. Instead of lumping it on that one spot, making for a glop of filler that would have to be removed, Martin spread the filler out evenly over an area encompassing the low spot and a decent portion of surrounding metal. This helps to keep the coat thin, meaning that the filler will be sanded off the unneeded areas, and there will not be any excess on the panel.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    The filler was then applied to the car. Instead of lumping it on that one spot, making for
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Martin used a small serrated file to shave off the excess filler once it had hardened and dried. This is done to alleviate having to sand for months on end to get the unneeded filler out of the way.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Martin used a small serrated file to shave off the excess filler once it had hardened and
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    The long block was then used to sand down the rest of the filler. The result was the removal of the filler around the low spot, with the slightest amount of it filling in the depression.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    The long block was then used to sand down the rest of the filler. The result was the remov
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Once the sanding was completed, Martin once again used his hand, running it along the door to check for any blemishes he might have created with the application of the filler.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Block Sanding
    Once the sanding was completed, Martin once again used his hand, running it along the door
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    There was a small dent in the lower rear bumper valance that needed to be pulled out. To perform the task, Martin used a stud gun to insert six studs around the perimeter of the dent.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    There was a small dent in the lower rear bumper valance that needed to be pulled out. To p
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    He then used a slide hammer to pull the dent out.
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    Martin then mixed up and applied a light coat of filler to the area where the dent had been...
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    Martin then mixed up and applied a light coat of filler to the area where the dent had bee
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    ...and then sanded it off. There was a small low spot that ended up being filled, but the dent itself was gone.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Dent Repair
    ...and then sanded it off. There was a small low spot that ended up being filled, but the
  • 1969 Chevy Camaro SS Fender Install
    Once all of the block sanding and requisite filler applying was done, it came time to put on the front clips (both front fenders, the radiator support, and the hood) to check and align the gaps.
    1969 Chevy Camaro SS Fender Install
    Once all of the block sanding and requisite filler applying was done, it came time to put
By Frank H. Cicerale
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