Entering a world of pain - restoring my 1984 GTV 2.0

[MattK]

Update #1: a can of fuel, some carb cleaner, a battery, an hour and a half, got it started. Drove a couple of blocks to put it in my driveway. Felt good to hear the engine kick over, I can tell you.
Gearbox looking less terrifying than I thought - apparently the driveshaft yoke nut is loose, not a broken part as I thought. Also discovered my mate has about four parts Alfettas and GTVs, so things are looking up somewhat.

[poohbah]

Great to hear Matt, you are well on your way.

[carlo rossi]

watch  50 times you tube
buy a compressor and a good gun
and p[aint $1000 total respray
didnt  get it right try again its fun ( so im told)

[MattK]

Don't tempt me!!
Looks OK in the morning sun, at least.

[poohbah]

Given you have the two-tone duco, you can probably get away with patching the rusty section in front of the door and just repainting that area (is it grey or black) and buffing the rest of the paintwork - you might be surprised at how well it comes up.

[MattK]

I guess, although the paint varies across the car (clear coat on just the driver's side front wing?) and it's through to the primer on the roof in a couple of places. The lower part of the body is metallic charcoal grey. Any recommendations for a wax and/or polish to stabilise chalky red paint?

[poohbah]

I'd go into your nearest auto-parts supplier and ask what might be best suited to your circumstance - Its as much to do with elbow grease.

[Citroënbender]

Zymöl Royale Glaze.

[MattK]

I'll just nip down to Supercheap Auto and pick up a ... wait a minute.

[poohbah]

For what its worth, I refurbished my rear triangle vents and front scuttle vents by removing them, sanding them, and then painting them with black "bumper" paint from a rattle can.

[MattK]

Nice - thanks! I am wondering if I should finish flaking the black paint off the window brightwork, which is chrome underneath from the pre-facelift era, or if that would look too weird. The bumpers I presume I will paint at the same time as the lower body.

[Citroënbender]

Tas UV smashes everything. Acrylic spray paint included. And once the surface no longer excludes penetration by water droplets (dew or rain) the frost and growths hook in. It's brutal on any car finish with compromised integrity.

I'd suggest some basic id'ing of the existing finish types; that will (or should) guide any moves toward repair or conservation.

[poohbah]

The window trims are metal and will need correct stripping, priming and painting - or powdercoating. The rear vents and scuttle vents are just plastic, so "flexible" bumper paint is fine.

[Citroënbender]

That's a 1K finish though; it can be bettered (per my comments about the special local issues of durability) with a flexibilised 2K blend.

[poohbah]

Yep, I was just looking for a quick fix and I already had the paint in the shed! Originally these vents had a raw plastic finish which was really ratty and faded after 35 years, so it was a big improvement.