DIY Network

'66 El Camino: Paint Prep and Measure for Wheels Andrew and Christie get the El Camino ready for some serious red paint. From "Resto Rides" episode DRRD-104

	Andrew and Christie get ready to take a test drive in the fully restored El Camino.
	Andrew and Christie assemble the new custom dash.

So far in their work restoring the 1966 El Camino, Andrew Totolos and Christie D'Amore have replaced the entire drive train, from the fuel-injected engine and automatic overdrive transmission to the adjustable suspension and big disk brakes. In this phase of the restoration, it's time to give some love to the exterior, so off it goes to the paint shop. In the meantime, Andrew and Christie create a one-of-a-kind dash and pay close attention to the trim. When the car comes back from the painters, it will sit on a set of custom wheels and performance tires that help keep it on the road.

First up in this project, Andrew and Christie begin by measuring for new wheels. They also remove the trim and dash from the car. Finally, they sand the Chevy down and send it off to be painted.

The steps in this phase of the restoration, as seen in episode 104 of Resto Rides, are summarized below.

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Materials and tools:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), the essential tools required for this phase of the project are listed below.

"wheely-gig" or tool to measure for diameter of tires
jack and jack-stands
rough and fine grit sanders

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the restoration procedures shown in this episode of Resto Rides. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, don't rely solely on a jack to support the weight of a vehicle. When using a jack to access or work beneath a vehicle, always use jack stands for support. Make sure that the jack and stands that you use are rated for the weight and type of your vehicle.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Also wear eye protection any time you are working underneath a vehicle.

Measurement for Wheels

In order to select the proper size wheels for the car, Andrew and Christie have to first measure to see what size tires will fit. Christie uses her own homemade tool, a "wheely-gig", which will measure for the correct width and diameter that will properly fit the car.

• Before they measure, Andrew and Christie support the control arms with a jack to compress the suspension.

• Then, they bolt the wheely-gig up to the wheel and spin it all they way around, making sure it clears everything. Usually it's okay when the wheels are straight, but it might hit something when the steering wheel is turned. In that case, just adjust the wheely-gig until it clears, and then measure the distance from the edge of the template to the center of the hub.

• For the El Camino, they find that up to an 18-inch wheel will fit on the front.

• In the back, they don't have to worry about turning the wheels, but they still want to make sure that the tires won't rub against the fender wells. Andrew and Christie get a measurement for 19-inch wheels in the back.

• Next, Christie and Andrew discuss what color paint and design to use on the car.

• Before sending the car off to be painted, Andrew and Christie remove as much trim as they can. Anything they can do to make the job quicker and easier for the painter will save time and money.
  

  	The El Camino gets several coats of sealer before the final paint.

• Andrew pulls off the headlight trim and removes the headlights while Christie takes out the taillights. Andrew also removes the bumper.

• After they remove the trim, Andrew and Christie decide to take out the dash so they'll have something to work on while the car is gone to the paint shop.

• Sanding is another way to save time and money at the paint shop, so Andrew and Christie tackle that as well. They begin the job with rough grit sanders and move to finer grits as they go. The painter will still have to seal the entire car, but smoothing out the old primer will speed up his job.

• Once all the trim has been removed and the car has been sanded down, it's time to send it off to the paint shop.

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Resto Rides 100 series: 1966 El Camino

Original Parts Group, Inc.
www.opgi.com

Husky Tools
www.huskytools.com

Rick's Hot Rod Shop
www.rickshotrodshop.com

Vintage Air, Inc.
www.vintageair.com

Fuel Injection Specialties
www.fuelinjection.com

Lokar
www.lokar.com

K & N Engineering
www.knfilters.com

Nordskog Performance Products
www.nordskogperformance.net