Goin' to visit the Scorp tomorrow...

[John O]

...and I'm a little nervous.

For anyone who doesn't remember, I did THIS (http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/ScorpionAccident) to it a year-and-change ago. Had some trouble with the body shop understanding how she went back together and consequently they had cut up some very expensive and HTF metalwork. BUT they've been making it right and what I've seen looks very good so far.

So, I talked to 'em today and the front end and the two sets of sail panels (http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/ScorpScoop)are painted. YIKES! This is kinda the moment I've been waiting for ...and sometimes dreading, too. If all is good tomorrow, we move on to phase 2, replacement of the driver's floor and repair of the passenger's floor.

Damn, I hope it's good.

John O.

[DJ]

Keep the faith, Brother!

I do know what you're going through, though. You wouldn't believe the frustration I just went through getting my rear interior trim panels covered at the upholsterer. I thought that would be easy...

Sooo...are you also a BSG fan?

[John O]

Sooo...are you also a BSG fan?

Mmmm ...someone did a little looking around. 8)

Ya, along with other things, I like to build models ...well, really it's about the painting, the building is a necessary evil. They are far less stressful than, say, I-cars, don't take up as much space, and I don't mind working on them when it's 20 degrees out. There's more here (http://www.starshipmodeler.com/contest/kit_13.htm) and here (http://www.starshipmodeler.com/contest/kit_14.htm), but I try not to mix the two worlds much. However, I meet more people with my I-cars, the models are a bit too solitary.

[Randy Brown]

You wouldn't believe the frustration I just went through getting my rear interior trim panels covered at the upholsterer. I thought that would be easy...

DJ,

Could you elaborate on the difficulties? I had the upholsterer recover the rear firewall panel out of the car, but I still need to get the car to him to install it along with the two shelf pieces. Since these are TMH fiberglas, they don't bend, and I had a terrible time even test fitting the large piece before it was covered. If your upholsterer had problems with the original fiber panels, I hate to imagine what my upholsterer will have to deal with.

[DJ]

Could you elaborate on the difficulties

The difficulty was primarily with the 2-second attention span of the guy who runs the place. I gave them my old panel as a reference and explained everything to him in great detail but he apparently didn't really pay any attention.

The first thing was that they couldn't remember how I told them it went together even thought they had the old panel as a reference. Then, they hosed up the way the top shelf and shelf lip goes together. They fixed that but then I found that they had cut the hole for the engine cover release to the size of the outside of the trim edge instead of to the size of the main body. Their "fix" for that wasn't correct either but I'll make it work. They thought they had made it "better" by insetting the handle into the panel because "...otherwise it would just sit on top of it...". Duhhh! That's how I told them it fit. I ended up having to go back down there about 5 different times and had numerous calls with them as well.

The larger problem for me was that the main panel is built to the dimensions of the space in the car but are not built to dimensions that will allow you to install it. I get the feeling that neither Rod nor Chad has ever actually fitted one of their production panels to a car. They should at least warn people that some fitting will be required. I assumed I'd be able to just pop it in once it was covered so I just took it down and had it covered without first doing a test fit. Dumb on my part. The main panel is easily a half-inch wider at the top than it should be to allow you to install it.

Lesson learned: Fit the main panel before having it covered (and do the cutouts yourself).

As you mentioned, it is very stiff because of the reinforcement bar at the top so you can't bend it at all like you can with the old panel. I ended up having to pull back the vinyl and cut off a substantial amount at the top and almost a quarter inch down most of each side. Then I also found that I had to cut out an additional "notch" on one side to allow it to clear the bump on the side pillar where the seat belt mounts.

The other mistake I made was to have them cover all the pieces in one big piece of vinyl with the side pieces attached like the original panel is assembled. In the end I also had to cut off the side pieces and re-glue the edges because they didn't get them aligned quite right and I couldn't get the main panel in there with them attached anyway.

Lesson learned: Do the side pieces separately. The main panel and the top pieces can be done together in one assembly as on the original..

[DJ]

Mmmm ...someone did a little looking around. 8)

Actually, the first time I opened the link to the sail panel pictures it only opened to your main Picasaweb page and I noticed the "Galactica" folder then.

I build models too but haven't done anything in a long time. I still have a A-6 Intruder, a Stratos HF Stradale, the Kitty Hawk and a 037 still sitting on the shelf awaiting my attention. Maybe when I retire...

[DJ]

There's more here (http://www.starshipmodeler.com/contest/kit_13.htm) and here (http://www.starshipmodeler.com/contest/kit_14.htm), but I try not to mix the two worlds much.

Excellent work. Wish I had your artistic skills.

[Randy Brown]

I get the feeling that neither Rod nor Chad has ever actually fitted one of their production panels to a car.

I had the exact same thought while I was trying to test fit the piece. I did finally figure out a way to maneuver the rigid top bar in such a way that a very slight bend in the lower end of the panel allowed it to fit in past the side seatbelt mounts without cutting anything. I'll probably never again remember how I did it.

I absolutely agree with your lessons learned. My upholsterer would only agree to cover the large panel out of the car, and insisted on having the car in the shop to fit the two shelf pieces and the side pieces once it was installed. It sounds like I'd better be there when he does it.

[Allen Lofland]

Yous guys need to pick your uphostery people better, I never had any problems with mine :)

[DJ]

My guys don't make house calls.

I bet yours never tried to fit one of these panels either.

[John O]

Lesson learned: Fit the main panel before having it covered (and do the cutouts yourself).
Lesson learned: Do the side pieces separately. The main panel and the top pieces can be done together in one assembly as on the original..

Sorry you had a struggle, but this is all great information as I can see where I'm going to be in the same place soon. The back panel I took out of the car was pretty trashed and short of building my own, the TMH piece is the best way to go.

It's interesting, if you substitued bodyworking lingo in your upholsterer saga it sounds just like what I went through getting the nose done right on the Scorp. There are people out there who don't have time or interest in paying attention to detail or simply getting their minds around how things actually go together. I deal with this all the time in the school system where I work - but for the endurance of a few good teachers, it's amazing kids get educated at all.

John O.

[davidb]

My upholstery guys don't make house calls for fear they won't have/
bring what they need, be it the right sewing materials, adhesives,
sheet goods, etc. Why I ended up installing my new LBZ back win-
dow myself. So I saved several hundred+, fine by me.

[Scott H]

Yous guys need to pick your uphostery people better, I never had any problems with mine :)

But, I would never sleep with my upholsterer :D.

[davidb]

Good one Scott H, I forgot Lynette does his stitching!

[Allen Lofland]

Well we all have to use what talent we have around the house :)

[John O]

Well, I went for my visit ...and I have to say I had full body goosebumps when I saw it. It's certainly not perfect, the car never was to begin with, but they're doin' a damned good job now. Here are some pics:

Front DS (http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/ScorpionRenovation#5315380107812637714), Front PS (http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/ScorpionRenovation#5315380119399960546), Before & After (http://picasaweb.google.com/roadbox128/ScorpionRenovation#5315387121365191986)

On to phase 2!

John O.

[davidb]

"It's certainly not perfect . . .": looks like they left the wiper posts
in place, masked & painted. I understand why, those things are a
bitch to take off. Looks nice, glad you're pleased & Phase 1 is done.

[John O]

looks like they left the wiper posts
in place, masked & painted. I understand why, those things are a
bitch to take off.

Nope. I took the post covers off. What you are seeing is only wiper mechanism itself, none of the car-to-wiper trim is in place. It actually had to be removed because the damaged hood was pinched against the wiper post.

John O.

[davidb]

Sounds better that way: eschoteons removed for a proper
paint job. I noticed same after posting when I enlarged the
image. I sure hope that wiper post is unbound + motor
operable. You & I bantied about re: wiper motors in the
past for Scorpions. W/o your advise I would have never
found a replacement, mine was shot. Fiat 124 Coupe, NOT
Spyder, different motor. Di Fatta had a NOS one a yr.
or so ago which I bought. Likely last one Stateside for a
reasonable price. Thanks for the motor advise is my point.
Get the Scorp together & on the road, looks good. Thanks !