I want to fix my car. I bought a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity?
orangecat43 asked:
I only paid $500! It needed a new passenger rear window-I bought one at a junk yard for $35 and put it in already. The car has a vinyl top-What works best to clean it? Also there are a few rust spots on the car-what is the best way to remove? Painting-I would like to paint it myself-would that be dumb? Also, once I remove the rust-how bad would it look if I touch up the spots with GM touch up paint? The car looks fine-the only part that really needs painting is the hood-it is all discolored-looks like paint has chipped off or something. Also-the window motors are messed up in all windows except the driver front. To roll the windows up or down-you have to cross these wires one way and then switch them to roll the other way. How difficult would it be to replace them? How much do you think it would cost. I love to do things myself-I would just like advice before I get started and mess something up.Thanks. I can upload pictures if necessary.
Earnestine
I only paid $500! It needed a new passenger rear window-I bought one at a junk yard for $35 and put it in already. The car has a vinyl top-What works best to clean it? Also there are a few rust spots on the car-what is the best way to remove? Painting-I would like to paint it myself-would that be dumb? Also, once I remove the rust-how bad would it look if I touch up the spots with GM touch up paint? The car looks fine-the only part that really needs painting is the hood-it is all discolored-looks like paint has chipped off or something. Also-the window motors are messed up in all windows except the driver front. To roll the windows up or down-you have to cross these wires one way and then switch them to roll the other way. How difficult would it be to replace them? How much do you think it would cost. I love to do things myself-I would just like advice before I get started and mess something up.Thanks. I can upload pictures if necessary.
Earnestine
Tags: Chevrolet Celebrity, Remove Rust, Rust Spots
February 18th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Emma
Okay a window switch is not too bad to install. Where the wires are. Painting if you want a junkyard look then touch up will work. but with rust you have to use naval jelly to remove it, then have to sand the area and fill in any holes with bondo and paint it. There is a tough job on auto paint. Drying time etc. BE careful with naval jelly it will eat your skin.
February 20th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Deanna
Hello Orangeca, I can only address the rust part.
First it depends on the amount/depth of the rust. It is most important to attack. If you don’t get to every list bit, in time it will continue to rust out even under the best paint.
Sand the rust down till you see bare metal about half inch past the rust spot. Right away spray it with a primer. This is very important for it will begin to rust in hours and really over night.
Next if it is in a place where you can see it then lightly sand down the primer with fine paper. Then spray paint it with a top coat.
If the rust is all the way thru you may have to cut out the rust to the good part. Then any space you will have to fill in with putty (with hardener) or screw or rivet a piece of metal aluminum over it. Grind the edges down to make it match/smooth as possible. Prime and paint.
If the hole is not too big there is a product patch that is like a wire mesh or fiber glass cloth you can use. It can be time consuming. You might want to do what repairs you can then take it to a cheap paint shop like MACO to have it painted.
Go to the library or auto parts store and get books on painting it. I would suggest to also get a auto repair manual for your car. They are very good at giving you detailed instructions on repairing most anything.
Good luck and I am proud of you.
February 20th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Evelyne
If your having to play with wires, someone has cut off the plug. You’ll need to find a salvage, i.e. parts store, dealership, but at a salvage, they will be able to give you the Window Switch and Wiring Plug.
When your done rolling up or down the windows, you should Disconnect the wires. This will keep the circuit from overheating, just like a switch does. If and/or when you get your new switch and plug in, I’ll be more than happy to further assist you with proper installation.