project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)

[BonneMe]

Is the back bumper that off colored?

Good luck with the fender! Any idea how long its been dented like that?

[harofreak00]

What pic does the bumper look off colored? Looks dead on to me.

No idea on the fender.

[WhiteArrow3800]

I love the color, inside and out!

Can't wait to see this one saved

[harofreak00]

PDR guy stopped by today... he wouldn't touch the quarter panel... so its all me. I can't make it worse, right?

I located a tranny with 120k on it for $250!

[Grimm]

Not bad looking once you get some chrome on those wheels. I agree, the rear bumper is a little off on the color. The front probably is too, but can't really see it. I suppose that's normal though when you have plastic next to steel body parts. I think I've seen that before on other cars.

[BonneMe]

From the pix i'd consider maybe t was repaired after the 1/4 panel damage?

http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv11 ... CN5201.jpg
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv11 ... CN5203.jpg
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv11 ... CN5223.jpg

Curious to see how you tackle it! Best of luck.

[harofreak00]

Must be some weird lighting in the pics, because like I said, its dead on in person.

I had a customer contact me yesterday looking for a bad transmission that he could rebuild. The only one I had was the one in this car, and it wasn't out of the car and ready to go. He is from out of state, and is traveling through the area tomorrow, so it would be the only time to come pick it up. So to make the sale, I decided I was going to tackle this one right away. I did a little research this afternoon for a transmission, and found one locally with only 120k for $250! This price is unheard of from a salvage yard... anyways, I started working on it tonight, pulled the trans, and got the new one in... 5 hours.

[Bing]

That's awesome that you're able to locate and do all that in perfect timing!

[sandrock]

Sell that trans for 100 (well worth that in the parts alone) and you only spent 150 for the new one

There may not be much demand for that color combo but it certainly is a unique one. On that security lamp LED, I can only think of it being, like you said, an early production. I have a set of early 2000 FSMs, do you want me to see if anything is mentioned about it?

[*B2*]

Sell that trans for 100 (well worth that in the parts alone) and you only spent 150 for the new one

Knowing Andrew's deal, I'll bet he did even better than that. Nice work!

[harofreak00]

Selling the old trans for $150, so the new trans only cost me $100 plus fluid/filter, and 5 hours time.

[95naSTA]

Sweet deal.

[BonneMe]

Marty LOVES Firemist cars.

[harofreak00]

Hood painted:


I pounded out the quarter panel the best I could, but I'm not entirely satisfied with it... but I need to rememeber that this is a 12 year old car with 217k, and the buyer probably isn't going to care. I'll get some pics on Monday in the sun.

[*B2*]

Awesome. Do you know what his process/material (prep, primer, etc...) on the aluminum hoods?

[SSEiMan01]

Looks great Andrew!

[harofreak00]

Awesome. Do you know what his process/material (prep, primer, etc...) on the aluminum hoods?

He sands down all the corrosion areas down to the bare metal, seals it, primes it, paints it, clears it. There are pics of the process in some of my other project threads. If you are asking what brand or other specifics, I have no idea.

[01bonneSC]

Is the back bumper that off colored?

Good luck with the fender! Any idea how long its been dented like that?

Ive noticed that on most 00+ cars. Seems that the plastic doesnt take the paint the same way as the metal or something.

[Backhoe]

I like e color more than I thought, prob cause I like the less found, oddball stuff.

Pretty sure I'd be hunting a new quarter for that puppy! I'd say PDF had a go already

[*B2*]

Thanks. My concern was with using a primer or sealer that wasn't aluminum friendly and the corrosion returning. But it doesn't sound like he uses any fancy recipe, just good prep work.

I hope the quarter turned out well. I know it would be tempting to finish it 100%, but you know what your flips need.