Got a 1972 Mercury Comet a while back, and I have some questions. It's in pretty bad shape, and I need some sources for parts and cosmetic stuff. 1. It used to have a vinyl roof, but doesn't anymore. Where can I get one or a kit to make one myself? 2. My bumper needs to be rechromed - can I do that myself and if so how? 3. I'm missing the grille. Is there a place I can buy one that ISNT over $100 for a piece of plastic? 4. I enjoy art in my spare time and I have a really cool dragon design, but I don't know what company to contact to get it turned into a custom decal for the side... I bet alot of you have heard these questions before, so I thank you all in advance for your kind help!
1: i got my vinyl top done for $300 last year, you could get the vinyl and a good heat gun and try it. your self 2: re chroming needs a few big tanks for that size, and some pretty harsh chemicals. might be able to do a powercoat version but wont work as well. 3: junk yard for the grill, ebay. etc 4: google for vinyl graphics companys, you should find something local that can do that vinyl printing.
You're in the right place for everything you would like to know about these cars. I'm going to tell you right now, you've picked the more expensive of these cars to build. Trust me, I own 2 of them. Everyone kept the Mavericks but it seems that the Comets weren't as lucky and therefore the Comet specific parts are harder to find and more expensive. Check the yellow pages for top replacement shops. Usually they'll sell the material over the counter. Not to sound condescending, but you do know that it takes a commercial grade glue to hold them on, not the spray can stuff you get at the parts stores, right? Can't be done unless you have enough money to set up a safe room and get the permits for Liquid Cyanide. That's one of the chemicals used in the chroming process and it's very deadly. Trust me, it's less expensive to have them done and a whole lot less hazardous to your health! As was stated earlier, check eBay and the adds here. Sometimes they show up. The hard part is finding a good one that doesn't need to be repaired. Check with your local Sign Companies and Air Brush / Paint Shops. Usually they can take your design and put it on a piece of vinyl for you to apply. If it's a big piece, use the application gel and take your time to get all the bubbles out. Personally, before I did something like that I would Photoshop the design on a picture of the side of your car before having the full size design created. That way if you don't like it you're not out the money of having it put on vinyl. I hope this helps, -Scott H.
You seem a tad green around cars..... You are gonna find that Pieces of plastic do indeed cost hundreds of bucks not to mention having parts refurbished or hunting up old parts that are still new called NOS parts (new old stock) you can get creative of course and depending on your abilties do some work yourself or even create some parts that fit but are not stock. Anyway welcome aboard If there is anything you need help with this group of guys and place is the Bomb!!!!! yo!!!!
"you seem a tad greem around cars" No kidding. Wanted something to restore, bought the comet for 500 bucks off craigslist, and found out that it was in worse shape than i thought. I've done some work on a 1980 chevy pickup and have done some parts scrounging for that, but for the pickup I have alot of redneck mods. Truck works, but I use it for work and don't care as much about how it looks. The comet is another story... I'm more used to basic mechanical work. I've never done an interior, never worried about trim or chrome, and only painted one vehicle and that was a krylon camo job on my truck. so yeah, I think "green" is kind of an understatement.
welcome. i'm sure we have alot in common i just got my first maverick good luck! as for your graphics put onto vinyl.. find a couple of local sign shops and compare your prices. I work for 2 different sign company's and the grade of vinyl and quality of the ink are very important for car wraps or any kind. You might need a heat gun if you have any stretching to do over any contoured surfaces.. you will most certainly need Sunlight and Water in a mist/spray bottle and a bottle of spray-9 or a good de-greaser you will also need a soft material squeegee and another set of hands (person) *MAKE SURE THEY PRE-MASK YOUR VINYL*or it will stretch, tare, rip, look like poop and make sure they laminate the actual graphic first step. Degrease the entire area your intending on putting your vinyl. (spray-9 or another de-greaser) step two. find reference points for your graphics that you can use on either side of the car/hood/trunk/etc step three. Tack it down with some masking tape in the center top and bottom of the vinyl and on either side. step four. remove the tape from one side and before you peel the backing, spray the area your applying to with sunlight and water, dont be shy, its all going to be pushed out after, it lubricates the surface allowing you to move the vinyl around if need be. step. 5. peel a strip on the inside of the vinyl (middle where tape is at top and bottom) and then peel to the outside edge and spray the glue side of the vinyl with sunlight and water.... step 6. hold the edge of the vinyl out from the car and work your way from the middle to the edge slowly with full passes, pushing out any air bubbles. The soap and water will just push out from the pressure of the squeegee over the vinyl. step 7. when that side is down and looking good , removed the tape from the other side and peel the back from the middle out to the edge and repeat steps 6 and 7. *tip* when applying large graphics if you have to lift up to fix a crease. The sunlight will make it possible, BUT pull on the vinyl with even strength on the whole piece or you will stretch it to the point of no return and it will never look right... and if you have to use a heat gun to do any stretching, hopefully you get the 3m automotive vinyl because when its heated it molds easy and if it stretch's you just heat it when its on the surface and it tightens right up good luck! hope i made sense.
For custom graphics go to: http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=208175676994&share_id=237486069884&comments=1 Cortney can make and ship anything you need.
Like I said, you've come to the right place. We all started somewhere and know what it was like just starting out. The best piece of advice I can give you is not to worry about asking for help when you don't understand something. The only STUPID question is the one that goes un asked! -Scott H.
