Process of improving 99 Grand Am SE (many pictures) [Archive]

Silverstone-Z

11-01-2007, 11:02 PM

Hey guys. I have a 99 Grand Am SE in Opal Blue Metallic.
I got a painting bug after I painted my project street truck, so I though since there was rust and paint was cracking off, I'd repaint the Grand Am. I decided to make some improvements over the stock look.

NOTE: Excuse the messy building. I have to put things back in the garage when I close up for the night. The place is a mess right now. We still haven't unpacked all our boxes of old stuff. Please excuse the mess in the background.

Pictures will be posted up as I go. Thank you for any interest and posts questions if you want.

This is what it looked like when I got it and up until now.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture048-1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture052-1.jpg

Silverstone-Z

11-01-2007, 11:05 PM

I received my front bumper in the mail today so I put that on. It seems a GT bumper on an SE requires a bit more work than just 'taking off then putting back on'.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture001-2.jpg

The fitment surprised me with how good it was.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture002-2.jpg

Upon removing the side ribs that SE's have, I discovered an indent on the door like the newer GA's have. The rear quarter panel doesn't have it tho, so I have plans for that. I plan on tapering the end of the door's indent to a flat surface so it flows into the rear quarter panel well.
There was a LOT of dirt, dust, and chunks of stuff stuck under the ribs. Excuse the dirty mess.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture003-2.jpg

This is where I will be tapering the end of the indent to flow into the rear quarter better.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture004-3.jpg

Called it a night tonight. Picture before I closed things up.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Picture005-2.jpg

'96GAGT

11-01-2007, 11:34 PM

Damn thing is going to be one nice shade of blue! Are you doing the ENTIRE GT conversion ? or just the rockers, front and rears?

JeremiahCoffel

11-02-2007, 12:25 AM

I'm liking it. I want to see what you're doing with the door panel too.

ga5speed02

11-02-2007, 06:37 AM

lookin good so far. I am lovin the DIY attitude :D

Silverstone-Z

11-02-2007, 08:16 AM

Unfortunately I was not able to source a GT rear bumper, so I had to stick with an SE back bumper. I've been comtemplating cutting venting in the rear and adding mesh, but I don't know how well that'd turn out.

The side will be done either tonight or Monday. Hunting this weekend foiled my plans to have it painted by Monday :(

Thanks for the comments! That's what keeps me going :D

Edit: I'll also be painting the side mirrors the same color as the body. Thanks to those who told me it'd look good!

car audio dave

11-02-2007, 10:49 AM

im digging what youre doing. id suggest to keep looking for a GT rear, itll look way better considering it has two exhaust oulets and it matches the ribs on the GT front. so no gt sides? it hides that groove pretty well.

Gagt518

11-02-2007, 06:58 PM

Awesome work man! Cant wait to see updated pictures

Silverstone-Z

11-02-2007, 07:01 PM

UPDATE*** Pictures will be up tonight.
Car is sanded down, rust holes were filled and sanded smooth. Side panels have been removed. Broken rear bumper has been replaced with a replacement SE bumper. Front has been replaced with a GT bumper. Side grooves leveled off at the ends a little.
Car is wet sanded.
All the windows are masked off.

I came in to eat quick and decided to update.
I need to mask off the side mirror glass.

After these are done, the car will be a ricey green primer color... :D

The GT has side panels like the SE's?

I wish I knew this sooner, haha.

grandam01

11-02-2007, 07:27 PM

Yup they match the two ribbing on the GT front bumper. your tapering idea is awesome. can't wait to see the finished product.

Silverstone-Z

11-02-2007, 09:32 PM

Pictures of sanding and body work.
The tapering at the end of the indent smoothed out to the rear quarter panel, but in the pictures it makes it seem like nothing changed. In person, it is smooth like I planned.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/GA1.jpg

The side panels that were removedhttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Ga2.jpg

Windows taped off and getting ready.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Ga3.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Ga4.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/Ga5.jpg

The gun I'm using. 1.8mm Primer Gun
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PrimerGun.jpg

And on with the primer
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime029.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime030.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime031.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime032.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime033.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime034.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime035.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime036.jpg

Gagt518

11-02-2007, 10:15 PM

Sweet!~If i were you i would of filled in the indent on the two doors

Silverstone-Z

11-02-2007, 10:18 PM

I wish I would have, haha.

'96GAGT

11-02-2007, 11:14 PM

Got a color your going to paint this sucker with?

insane4speed

11-02-2007, 11:38 PM

if i were you i would have masked off behind the front bumper.. but so far so good cant wait to see the finished product

RedFireUFO

11-03-2007, 12:25 PM

I am interested to see what it will look like, hats off to ya for doing all this yourself! Can't wait to see more progress.

Silverstone-Z

11-03-2007, 12:38 PM

if i were you i would have masked off behind the front bumper.. but so far so good cant wait to see the finished product

I did to begin with, but the masking paper eventually came loose from the air blowing and started to flap. I figured spraying the stuff behind the bumper was better than paper sticking to the paint.

It'll be a darker opal blue metallic.

Thanks guys! I will update again soon.

ManktheTank19

11-03-2007, 02:33 PM

I really think but it is to late now - get the gt bumper and door panels but looks good.

Big Joe

11-03-2007, 03:54 PM

cool.

nicholas402

11-03-2007, 09:19 PM

this is awesome. props on doing EVERYTHING!

lowrider2962

11-03-2007, 10:01 PM

well u can always local and slap on a GT bumper later. theyr not hard to remove or paint. and even the sides too. keep up the good work man im liking it so far.

ga5speed02

11-05-2007, 07:01 AM

looks great. i would have took the bumpers and mirros off then painted. but it is lookin awesome

Kyle2.2

11-05-2007, 08:15 AM

Silverstone-Z

11-05-2007, 12:07 PM

Yeah lots of people will just send the car off to the body shop pick it up when its done and then say "look at all the work "I" did on my car" that rots me... I'm also one of those guys who does everything I can my self... and if i can't do it I'll be sure to give prps to those who do. Anyways car looks sweet and I'll see if i can get a web address where you can get a GT rear bumper... i know there are a few wreaking yards online that had some I'll kep you posted.

Thank you I'd appreciate the links. It's a long tedious process that involves airborne isocyanides :eek: :lol:
But what fun can you have without a little danger? And dead brain cells and wrecked nervous system...

Anyway, thanks for the props. That's what keeps me going. :)

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 04:21 PM

Got the Primer-Surfacer wet-sanded and cleaned with Wax&Grease Remover.
Applied White Primer-Sealer (helps adhesion to basecoat). Now to wait 3-4 hours, go out and sand it, then hit it with basecoat. After the basecoat dries for another couple hours, polyurethane clear coat will be applied for an ultra-durable coating.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime001.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime002.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime003.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime004.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime005.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime009.jpg

The Top Coat gun I'll be using for my basecoat and clearcoat.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime007.jpg

Bored, so I did my headlights. It'll be a while before I order new headlights. So I just kinda experimented.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PicturePrime010.jpg

bryan

11-07-2007, 04:26 PM

Much props on all that man. Please get the rear bumper and side panel things some point along the line though. :)

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 04:33 PM

I will. I'll be searching for a GT that was totaled from the front.
No junk yards up here have even 1 single 99+ Grand Am so I'll have to search further.

grandam01

11-07-2007, 05:14 PM

nice man very nice, if i knew how to paint, i would be painting my car myself. mucho props.

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 05:36 PM

nice man very nice, if i knew how to paint, i would be painting my car myself. mucho props.

Thank you much!

I still don't know if I have the balls to paint a lip kit for my Z tho, haha.

grandam01

11-07-2007, 05:53 PM

hahahaha, yes you do, just visualize and overcome, thats visualize and overcome, hahaha, if only i believed what I said.

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 05:57 PM

Visualize, Try, Fail, Cry....

:D

grandam01

11-07-2007, 06:02 PM

Hahahaha nooow soldier failure is not an option. Success is the only path for an N-body owner.

Wstangland

11-07-2007, 06:03 PM

lookin good. ill be doing some painting on mine next summer. damn lowers rusting.

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 06:07 PM

Haha I'll keep a good outlook on things then :)
Time to go lay some Opal Blue Met basecoat!!!

Wstang, where's it rusting on the GA? MN winter and it's salty roads ftl...

grandam01

11-07-2007, 08:15 PM

nice opal blue yay for metallics,

ok Off topi. what does FTL stand for??

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 08:20 PM

FTL = For the lose
FTW = For the win

grandam01

11-07-2007, 08:37 PM

ok makes sense, thanks, im out of touch with all the internet lingo, some kids in my classes are trying to fill me in, sad thing is i should know the stuff but just never cared.

thanks

Silverstone-Z

11-07-2007, 10:19 PM

ok makes sense, thanks, im out of touch with all the internet lingo, some kids in my classes are trying to fill me in, sad thing is i should know the stuff but just never cared.

thanks
I never really cared, but it's all used so much on the my350z.com Off-Topic subforum.

Gagt518

11-08-2007, 10:47 AM

Looking good :woot:

Silverstone-Z

11-09-2007, 09:56 AM

Car has been finished. The reverse lights have been custom fitted with 9005 high beam bulbs for extra brightness too. It snowed a crap load just this morning, so sorry about the snow :(

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone001.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone002.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone003.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone004.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone005.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone006.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone007.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/Arctic-GTS/PictureDone008.jpg

GtAudioFreak

11-09-2007, 05:08 PM

Very nice!!

grandam01

11-09-2007, 06:05 PM

great job man, excellent looking, wow.

Nighthawk243

11-09-2007, 06:33 PM

Love the color.

Now if you can get ahold of the GT rear bumper and side's, you can slap those puppies on easy. :)

lowrider2962

11-10-2007, 09:23 AM

i see a lot of potential there if u dont just leave it as is and move on. that GT front end looks awesome in that color. so whats next in your plans?

insane4speed

11-10-2007, 01:44 PM

looks sweet i like that color

JBlack16

11-10-2007, 06:23 PM

very nice, its snowing up there already wow

GaOwner111

11-11-2007, 01:01 AM

That was my old Se's color. If I am to one day paint my 03 Gt it will be that color, love it, please finish the conversion and show me pics so I can see what it will look like :D

Silverstone-Z

11-11-2007, 10:21 AM

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the compliments and the comments of what you guys think should be done next. I am currently searching for a gt rear and side panels.

Opal Blue Metallic is a beautiful color, especially up close in person. It's a bit darker than the stock color, and that's what I was going for.

My hand are still stained blue :lol: And my fingernails are basically painted blue.

i see a lot of potential there if u dont just leave it as is and move on. that GT front end looks awesome in that color. so whats next in your plans?
I don't really have anything next in my plans yet. I don't have a lot of money to put into the GA. I recently had to drop a hundred bucks to get a new parking brake lever for the Z which I broke by throwing my backpack into the passenger seat from the drivers side (the loop on top of the backpack caught on the lever and broke it). And I just have a few more things I want to get for the Z. Over the winter I'll be accumulating parts for it so I can put everything on during spring. The GA will have to sit for a while as is so it can get me through winter.

TA^Guy

11-11-2007, 10:48 AM

Paint looks good but I'm not feeling how you filled the indent on the door.

I personally would have not used all filler. Over time you may experience shrinkage, and cracking. Not to mention it's on a door, wouldn't be the first time I've seen a door shut and body filler fall out. I would have cut a peice of 18-20 gauge metal with one rounded end to use as a filler and welded it in. Then used body filler to smooth it out. Plus I would have spread the filler a little further down the door to feather it in more.

Just hate to see all that hard work go to waste down the road.

Silverstone-Z

11-13-2007, 09:18 AM