5 years registered here and have barely done anything with my Mav...

I just signed in after a while of being away from the forum and had a notification with an "award" saying I've been registered for 5 years now and it has made me realize how little I've actually done and how incompetent I've been, haha. In 5 years I've made extremely little progress on my project Maverick. I've spent that whole time knowing nothing about restoration and such and letting that(along with poor self esteem and low confidence in myself) prevent me from making progress on my car. Not really sure where I'm going with this thread, but I guess I'm hoping for some advice or help on where I should go from here. The most I've done so far is remove most of the trim along with the bumpers, lights, etc. and front fenders for bodywork. I've also sanded one of the fenders down to bare metal(which tookway too long because of the awful compressor I have to use with the sander) and buffed out a couple dents in it, but there's still a matter of a few huge rust spots(holes) that I have no knowledge on repairing throughout the body of the car.

 

Sounds like you are not that interested or you figured out that the amount of work involved is more than you imagined and now you are overwhelmed. Perhaps you should think about selling it unless you still plan on restoring it someday....

 

I think overwhelmed would be a good description, but I'm someone who's overwhelmed by simple everyday stuff due to mental illnesses(I hate even mentioning that because I'm not looking for a pity party, but it is relevant to this), so if I run from being overwhelmed then I'll never get anywhere with anything. I still have a lot of interest and love the car to death, and despite knowing from the start that it wouldn't be a walk in the park or anything I feel like it's impossible without some guidance. I think a lack of money is also a factor, as I've been unemployed for quite a while as well and therefore can't afford parts, and without parts there's not a whole lot I can do. It doesn't help either than I'm on my own as well, and don't know anyone who could come help me do things I don't know how to do, it's either I follow online advice and tutorials or I just wing it and hope I don't mess up royally, haha.

 

All of the above BOLDED items are reasons why one should NOT restore a car. It just isn't in the cards...as the last 5 years have showed you. Not trying to discourage you. Maybe this could be a wake-up call.

But.....maybe we can help. Lets start with this. Post pictures of this: few huge rust spots(holes)

 

Try and set some goals. I'm restoring a 69 f100. I know it will take probably 5 years, but I try to do one thing on it a week. Also, do a lot of documentation, photos and written notes about everything you take apart, then keep all the pieces together in there own boxes and catalog everything. This in itself takes time. You could buy a book on how to restore a classic mustang for example, and a lot of things would apply to your car. Good luck, it's good to have a hobby too.

 

I've been looking into a mechanic apprenticeship, and hopefully will be able to work that out soon. That would solve a couple issues(such as the lack of money, unemployment and lack of mechanical knowledge), though it would still take time. I don't have pictures of every rust spot, but here are a few major ones

This is the fender I sanded down, major rust spot is obvious.


These two are the passenger rear, it's rusted through to the trunk.



Apart from that it's mostly surface rust, but those are the major rust issues.

 

first thing to think about though is getting a job. I understand you have a disability BUT there are staffing agencies that hire people for specific jobs that can be learned easily and are very simple to do.

I remember years ago when I worked for penny saver there was a guy named tom king and he had a severe learning disability but he functioned VERY WELL IN A ROUTINE ENVIRONMENT. I believe his mentality was of a 10-12 year old kid and he was around 40. I dont want you to think Im saying you have the same disability or are in any way like him but those staffing companies have people who have certain needs and can place alot of people where they might not be able to find work themselves.
I remember that guy made more $$ than I did every two weeks and he was there until they closed the doors something like 15 years after he started there.

also think of your branch of the unemployment department as your resource for getting back into the work force. they WANT you to get back to work. call them and talk to them theyll help you find the motivation to get back into the work force THEN that will boost your confidence and you self esteem and then finally youll have a paycheck . I know with a little money these cars can be brought back to life. once you get back in the work force you can save your money and buy one part at a time each paycheck or once a month and as for the rust holes you can fill them with bondo yourself and sand it down smooth. you cant screw it up with bondo! if it comes out looking like crap sand it all out and do it again. it just takes time. OR if youre working you can save enough to hire someone to repair one thing at a time

dont let the whole thing get you discouraged. VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE A CHECKING ACCOUNT LARGE ENOUGH TO WRITE A BLANK CHECK to finish there car over night so to speak. I know I dont. JUST FIX ONE THING AT A TIME

Ive been working on my car for 8 years now and its still not done or even close to it. BUT every year I make progress and I know eventually it will be done.

something Ive learned since I grew up poor is "if you wait until you can afford it it might be too late to do it" so get going on one thing at a time and dont worry about messing it up more than it is already.

please dont take my comments as bashing you because it surely wasnt my intent if it came off that way
good luck

 

I just saw the rust issues you have. the fender is better off being replaced. the rest if you take a body repair course along with the mechanic apprenticeship there wont be anything you cant do on your car

remember the unemployment people want you to get back to work so they might have a free or low cost course that isnt available to others

 

Having seen the rust in the pictures....and quite frankly....being a 4-door.....and knowing your situation: That car is too far gone to be restored. A rust free 4-door Maverick can be found easily for less than $2000. If you really want one, I would suggest that route. It is not just the rust you see....but all the rust you can't see.

 

he needs more of a...metal fab... course than body repair...

 

I didnt realize it was a 4 door. put it back together and sell it for whatever someone is willing to give you and move on to a 2 door that doesnt have as much rust. or keep it as a parts car. if the bottom of the fender is rotted that much sop is the firewall and torque box that car is wasted

 

Ooorrrrrr.. just add bondo and hammer the car out from easiest to worst(most time consuming) areas or repair. First things first though.. and assuming that it actually still runs well enough.. PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY DRIVE AND ENJOY IT AGAIN. I would not dare to squash you dreams here, especially someone who feels the need to be inspired in life. There are many smaller things in life that can become a catalyst for bigger things beyond those. And even more importantly.. if YOU really like this car?.. then it's obviously worth it to YOU. Because YOU will be the one enjoying the fruits of your labor.

This plan does a few important things.

1. ALLOWS YOU TO ENJOY THE CAR TODAY(figuratively speaking of course) and further motivates you to improve it as you go.

2. allows you to keep it cheaper initially and is less time consuming and overwhelming when split up into "little projects". Sometimes snowball effects can be good.

3. helps you build self esteem and also build momentum to tackle the harder area's as your effort and bank account increases along the way.

At the very least.. you'll learn something that can be applied to other areas of your life and the car will always be more valuable to any prospective buyer as a running driving project than one which is in pieces. So, first things first.. put it back together and drive it again.

 

I agree w/ Craig! He has not mentioned anything in reference to the drive train condition or an ability to repair it w/o going to a mechanic. In the situation he has outlined w/ the rust issues. He has outlined several reasons to wait till he can find something more suitable to put, time, money and effort in.

 

Follow the advise above but..
I’m just going to deal with your feeling of being overwhelmed with restoring a car and share my mistakes that I have learned while working on my 68 Shelby and now my 72 Comet.
1. Have a mental picture of what you want the car to look like when you are done the restoration. Determine if the car you have will break even or profit when you are done your restoration. Example maybe a 4 door resale will not get your money back.
2. Do the repairs required to get the car on the road. THEN drive it and enjoy it. Do not tear down a car RATHER do a rolling restoration. After driving the car you will then know what project to do next. Save up some money and each winter do a mini project. When doing a mini project do not let that project snow ball remember to keep the car on the road each year and enjoy it.
3. With your goal in mind accumulate parts that come up time to time and save them for another project or if trim pieces they can be added at the final paint and assembly.
4. Follow the forum, find nearby Maverick / Comet owners for support and help and as you complete each mini project your knowledge and confidence will grow.
I’ve been where you are now twice so learn from my mistakes and try the “rolling restoration” the forum and local Maverick owners will be a big help. Good luck.

 

To the OP....You also mentioned your little compressor. I have spent a lot of time and money fitting my garage up with tools, I did this for long term and mybe another restoration. BUT another option is to find friends and local hobbie shops and pay them to do the repair that requires an expensive compressor then take it home and finish the rest of the job yourself. Cheaper to pay for that small job rather than buy a $1000 dollars worth of tools.