Re: 77 Malibu Classic frame off resto

by 77mali Mon Sep 29, 2014 5:40 pm

Very Nice!

by 74Malibu383 Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:02 pm

Looks great!

by pila Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:05 pm

Very nice

by ratnfested Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:15 am

I have an issue. The vinyl top in mint green is no longer available. I can get dark green, black and even white. Or I can try one of these and paint it the old color if I don't like it. I would love to hear anyone's opinion on what color they think would look best. Thanks

by ratnfested Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:17 am

Here's a pic with the original top
77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 8 77%20Malibu%20at%20Black%20Creek%20October%202011%20008

by dynchel Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:24 am

If you want it green i would try to dye it. If that doesn't work, black would look fine. Looks nice BTW. My dad bought a '73 Malibu new that had a baby blue top, that's not available either.

by ratnfested Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:08 am

I don't think I'll like Black but maybe dark green would be ok. I can then paint it if I hate the look. I have painted tops black before with Mar-hyde and it holds up well.

by dynchel Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:12 am

I like those tires. Back in the 90's I worked at a Dayton tire dealer and those were hot sellers. They are Out of production now. Rolling Eyes

.

by ratnfested Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:17 am

Those are 20 years old but still like new. I guess I better be nice to them so they last.

by dynchel Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:19 am

I finally retired my old Goodyear eagle st's (made in '92). Just bought a pair of 295/50/15 master craft avenger's yesterday.

by driveit Thu Oct 02, 2014 11:44 am

I am usually not a green fan on cars, but I like that one alot. I like the top that color on it too. I searched on line for about an hour yesterday to find one and couldn't find anything in that color.

by Wallyuph Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:26 am

ratnfested wrote:Here's a pic with the original top

White does not to bad. here was my car in high school.
[url=[url=https://servimg.com/view/17248508/405] 77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 8 Wallay10

by ratnfested Mon Oct 06, 2014 7:36 am

I like the white top on the darker paint. I think i will have a dark green top installed and paint it. Unless I like it, then I might leave it.

by ratnfested Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:02 pm

Frame went back in yesterday.

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by ratnfested Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:04 pm

by Joe73 Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:21 pm

In the first pic, with the frame along side the body, how is the body supported? And where? Any pics? I have a 4x4 under the firewall and another at the top of the rear wheel wells. Just looking for alternatives to hold the body while I lower here down.

by driveit Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:33 pm

Maybe from the roof, I would guess.

by 77mali Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:00 pm

Wow. Looking Awesome! The engine side of your hood looks great too. Nice job.

by ratnfested Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:29 am

Thanks

I have one 4x4 under the gas tank area. It wasn't fun. I got a little nervous near the end when the car got unstable. I should have been more careful then. putting a 4x4 in the center in addition couldn't hurt either. Or two cherry pickers, one in front and one in back with some fancy setup might have been good too. But I went this route, alone cause I work better without help.

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77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 8 10734167_10204000819333938_7980277565197716434_n

by ratnfested Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:12 am

Well I got my quote from just dashes. $1200. Ouch! I might get strung up if I spend that much. I decided to try a dash pad. It came in last night, don't like the fit. It is about a half inch short of the AC vents and its short at the bottom. So plan to try something else. recovering my dash myself. I ordered some stretchy vinyl and I think I will put a real thin foam at the top and front to sort of cover where cracks exist. then I will glue and stretch the foam into place. I think 3M super trim adhesive should work if it won't damage the vinyl. Any opinions on this idea? I won't even care if it wrinkles around the underside of where the cluster goes. it should still fit better around the vents and defroster then that pad does. I have to go pick up a heat gun and some foam and glue. I'll do a little test to see if the adhesive will distort the vinyl or make it lumpy. ugh.

by dynchel Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:55 am

I've never had luck attempting that, but if you can pull it off if should look OK.

by Wallyuph Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:21 am

Use vinyl top adhesive from Dap for the glue that other stuff will not hold down the line.Also use landau top foam. You can glue it with same adhesive. Scuff it with a 60 grit disc by hand just enough to take the shine off or glue wont stick.

Start in center and work your way to sides. spray adhesive on both vinyl and foam top (After foaming is dash is done). Lay heavy plastic down with a small opening in center so you can slide plastic out to each end as you go or it will all stick and your screwed.

PS I wont do it and I used to do this for a living. so curious how it will come out.

PS they make 4 way stretch vinyl now days. A heat gun will help at corners before sticking it down.

by ratnfested Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:52 pm

I guess well see. I'll keep the dash pad till I find out.

by 77mali Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:25 pm

You can also get the "levant" or "Elk" style vinyl top material to use as a cover. They come with the white backing on it. I'm planning on using that but instead of foam between the dash pad and the vinyl- I filled my speaker holes and repaired cracks using the fiberglass (short hair type) filler. I also used a brace on the underside of the dash pad about 2" away from where the speaker holes were, centering it along the top to almost the end of the dash pad on the drivers side to keep it from flexing and re-cracking. It was a lot of work but worth it in the end. You don't need anything fancy for the reinforcing I just used a flat piece of 2" wide 1/8" thick stock and drilled several holes and you have to bend it slightly with the contour of the dash. There is plenty of meat on the underside to get a few short screws in there they were either 1/2" or 3/4" long can't remember exactly now LOL.
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77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 8 P1020610

77 Malibu Classic frame off resto - Page 8 P1020610

by Joe73 Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:40 pm

That looks great !!!!

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