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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Here's some pics of the recent work I've done. Takes a lot longer than I thought without any help and no experience working on a classic! Taking out the glass on Saturday and hopefully will have it sandblasted on Monday.
Wish me luck!!! 
Kev
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By lowrider - 15 Years Ago
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Good luck. I hope you take alot of pictures so you can put it back together. I know I wouldn't remember where everything went.
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Thankfully I thought of that before I started disassembly. Every nut and bolt is bagged and labeled and I engraved the backside of all the chrome and miscellaneous parts. I have taken quite a few pictures of random doo-dads that engaving wouldn't have helped with. It should go back together smoothly (I hope). 
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By Bob's 55 - 15 Years Ago
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See you got a box of Dyna-Mat hiding in there. Stuff works good. FYI the cheapest place I found to get it believe it or not was on Amazon.com. And with free shipping and no sales tax makes it even cheaper
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By petew - 15 Years Ago
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Nice shiny radiator....
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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I actually did buy the Dynamat from Amazon. I couldn't believe how cheap it was!
Unfortunately, the radiator is currently the only shiny part on my car! haha Works great tho! I'm taking out the door glass right now. Having a little trouble with it. Any advice?
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By oldcarmark - 15 Years Ago
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What seems to be the problem with the door glass Kevin?The front vent windows should undo at top and bottom and can pivot to allow window glass to be removed.My other suggestion is get hold of a shop manual for that car.Ebay or one of the many book resellers would get you one.They are invaluable for info on everyhthing including glass and trim etc'
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By Bob's 55 - 15 Years Ago
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What year is your Merc? '56? Appears to be similar to a '56 Ford. If you can't find a Merc manual maybe a Ford manual would suffice?
Your Stainless seems to be in pretty good shape and the steering is really cool. Ya gotta keep and restore it!
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Mark, just got all the glass out. I had my neighbor come over and show me. What happened was that the rollers on the back windows had seized into the window channel and there was so much rust on them, they wouldn't slip out. After a bunch of fiddling and swearing, I got them all out without breaking anything.  In the morning, I'm gonna cut the old front and rear glass seals and pull them out, then the door handles and locks. After that, she's ready for sandblasting!
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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All the molding is off and the glass is out now. Here's a pic that I took half way through.
giddy-up!
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By oldcarmark - 15 Years Ago
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Sounds like a plan.Try and save the window rollers if possible.The replacements are now plastic(like everything else).When you take out the front and rear glass take your time.The old glass becomes brittle with age.Too much presure in one place can crack the glass.Looks like you are really doing a number on this car.Neat to have power windows.Do they still work?You can buy the couplers if you need them.
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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The front two windows work and the driver side rear, but the passenger side rear doesn't. I unhooked the motor and held it in my hand, and when I hit the switch up or down, it just had a faint click. I'll will disconnect it and see if a jumper wire will make it spin. That way I know if its good or not, if not, it is the switch. I'm doing a lot of work on it because I don't want to have to do it again for a while. "If there is anything worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time." Always liked that one. 
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By texasmark1 - 15 Years Ago
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Hey Kev, been a while since I checked into the site... nice to see you are hip deep on the Merc! Keep it up... I did the same thing on my 57 Fairlane a few years ago... ok, it was close to 18 years ago... but after losing steam a few times over the years, its finally painted and back together. there's nothing like putting the last few pieces on it and being able to drive it again! Best of luck and don't lose the pics and your notes along the way! Mark
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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heres a few more pics!!!
sandblasted!!!
ENJOY!!!
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By oldcarmark - 15 Years Ago
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Looks good Kevin! Keep the pics comming.
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Just for you Mark! More pics!
Got her primed today.
And I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing right here... did I just rip one?
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By San Diego Ron - 15 Years Ago
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After seeing your pictures now think it best for me to do the same to my '55...was just going to touch up paint (never works) or paint whole car masking off the chrome and stainless. Like you said "If worth doing, worth doing right"...or something to that effect. May be too soon for you to have given it much thought but wanted to know what you have in store for seats. Mine are down to bare springs and don't know if best to use foam or to go with that cotton like stuff filling. I now have Pontiac seats in there temporary. Thanks for sharing, Ron in San Diego
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Hi Ron, I found a guy in Pennsylvania that I'm going to get a full seat/interior kit from. I believe the seat kit comes with the covers, burlap and cotton. I was thinking of using foam like newer cars, but will probably just go with the old school stuff. Since you are already in San Diego, I would just take your frame to TJ and have it done down there. Might save you some coin.
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By jonnireb - 15 Years Ago
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Looking great on the Merc, Kevin. The only car I still dream about that I owned was a 55 Merc. Sold it in 1965, still kick myself today. Rebson
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By San Diego Ron - 15 Years Ago
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TJ would probably be a good plan as long as they aren't using horse hair.....the stuff stinks after awhile. Can't wait for pictures to show how you repair that roof and drip rail, my '54 has rust in front corner of roof and most of drip rail in bad shape. I'll wait to see how you tackle it before I do anything to mine...Hey, this is just like being in school. Thanks for sharing.
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By texasmark1 - 15 Years Ago
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Kev, keep it up! and thanks for posting the pics along the way... mom had a 56 two door and it holds a special place in my heart! Mark
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Kiss those dents goodbye!!! Thought I would show you guys some progress.
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By oldcarmark - 15 Years Ago
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Very nice Kevin! Now the question is-what color are you repainting it?Hint-these cars look great in two-tone.Very 1950"s.
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By rick55 - 15 Years Ago
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Looks like a nice complete car to start with.
I don't know if there is a parts catalogue specific for the Mercury, but the car is based on the Ford of the time.
Dave Dare, simplyconnected@aol.com , used to be a member on this forum and had copies of the 49-59 Ford Parts Manual as PDF files with a link to download them. He is now an administrator with Square Birds and will give you details on how to download the files if you want them. They are an invaluable resource for finding where everything goes. There are pictures of everything.
I got the same files on CD from Daniel Jessup who is a member on this forum.
Either way that you get the manuals you will find them a great help.
A manual for the car is also a good idea. Detroit Iron have them on cd with everything that you will need in one place.
Oldcarmanualproject is another place to look.
Regards
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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Mark - I am going to paint it the original "Biltmore Blue" on the bottom and the top is going to be the original "Alaska White". I have already got the paint, ordered it through tcpglobal.com I bought a gallon for the big part (bottom half) and a quart for the top since I am using white primer. It is acrylic lacquer so it will be some strong paint. I will probably clear coat over it so I can color sand and polish it while giving it some real depth.
Rick - I just bought the repair manual for my car, it was one of the best investments yet. I originally ordered the "supplemental" manual and it didn't have much info. I could definitely use a parts manual though.
More pics to come!!!
Kev
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By rick55 - 15 Years Ago
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Rick - I just bought the repair manual for my car, it was one of the best investments yet. I originally ordered the "supplemental" manual and it didn't have much info. I could definitely use a parts manual though.
Daniel Jessup is probably the easiest way to get a manual unless one of your mates already has it. I wouldn't mind sending you a copy, but it would be cheaper in the US. If you send simplyconnected@aol.com an email he will give you the links to download the files. They are pretty big though. About 300Mb.
Let me know if you want me to send.
Regards
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By RB - 15 Years Ago
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Kevin you might want to rethink putting clear coat over your lacquer paint, that is not normal procedure. Lacquer is unlike the modern paint systems in that is has a deep mello sheen rather than high gloss and because it is easy to apply and sand, the traditional method is to apply multiple coats then color sand to a perfectly smooth finish, then buff.
If you are set on clear coat be sure to do your homework on compatibility between the color and clear
Another no no on lacquer is to apply it too thick. It cracks over time.. color + clear may leave too thick a paint film.
One more thing.. Lacquer is a low solids product so it take 3 times as much to get the same amount of paint on the car.. Most full size cars will need around 3 gal of paint
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By kevinwalshe - 15 Years Ago
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RB (10/7/2010)
Kevin you might want to rethink putting clear coat over your lacquer paint, that is not normal procedure. Lacquer is unlike the modern paint systems in that is has a deep mello sheen rather than high gloss and because it is easy to apply and sand, the traditional method is to apply multiple coats then color sand to a perfectly smooth finish, then buff.
If you are set on clear coat be sure to do your homework on compatibility between the color and clear
Another no no on lacquer is to apply it too thick. It cracks over time.. color + clear may leave too thick a paint film.
One more thing.. Lacquer is a low solids product so it take 3 times as much to get the same amount of paint on the car.. Most full size cars will need around 3 gal of paint
Rick - I will shoot him an email.
The company I bought the paint from have a special clear that is compatible with the acrylic lacquer. May just stick with the paint, and not go the extra mile for clear. I am fortunate enough to have one of my dads friends fix the dents and spray it for me. He used to work on Rolls Royces and other high end cars way back in the day. I know that if the primer is too thick, the paint will chip easily as well. Thankfully, he is getting it smooth as butter and the only bondo is merely a skim over the hammer marks and the primer is nice and thin too so the paint will be nice and hard. I appreciate all the input as this is my first time ever doing this much work on one car. I will take all the pointers I can get! 
Kev
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By f-fun2 - 15 Years Ago
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Looks like you have a good winter project to keep you busy! I love these old cars and can't figure out why people can't see the potential and satisfaction of fixing them up. If it's old, I like it. I guess you "get it" or you don't! I live in an area with a bunch of "non car" people. They see a car as a form of transportation only. They probably wouldn't know a carburetor from their rear end. Give me an old Merc over a new Toyota any day.
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By kevinwalshe - 14 Years Ago
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Unfortunately I haven't had much funds to keep the ball rolling on the car as much as I would like. It is still making progress though. I am saving for the window channels and window seals right now. Anyone know a good place to get a full kit? Stainless and everything. I would really like a "bolt in" kit. After that, I am gonna order the interior from a guy in Pennsylvania who specializes in the Mercs. I want it to look all stock and cherry. Just wanted to stay in touch with everyone.
Kevin
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By jonnireb - 14 Years Ago
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I was just yesterday wondering how your project was coming along. You might try Dennis Carpenter for your window stuff. Great to hear from you.
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By davis - 14 Years Ago
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kev,
if you need help, drop me a line.
i'm in long beach.
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By ervinsmith1024 - 13 Years Ago
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Nice, it looks just like my car, only mine is green. I have owned mine since 1969, 43 years i figure.
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By kevinwalshe - 13 Years Ago
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Well.....its been a while since I've even seen my Merc up until tonight. It has been in my Dads friends garage coming up on 2 years now. I have paid the registration twice... fun stuff. However, I have not sold it, or even thought about it. I was told tonight that it will be done "by Christmas.....I want my garage back". I am still living in hopes for a final date but it is one of those deals where if you want the true "old timer perfect body and paint", I will just have to be patient.(Like I haven't already. He is not charging me - thus patience is my virtue ). I've been checking in here on the forums from time to time to see all the new tech info. Hope all is well in Y-block land!! I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. The whole body looked like the pacific on a windy day and now looks more like glass, smooth as silk. See ya guys!
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By texasmark1 - 13 Years Ago
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Glad to hear the update... looking forward to more pics! keep it going. Mark
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By jonnireb - 13 Years Ago
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Keep it up. Be great to see another classic Merc on the streets.
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By junkyardjeff - 13 Years Ago
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Dont take it too far apart or it will be easy to give up on it,just take it apart to do the body work and then when its done move on to something else. It took me over 20 years to put back togather a truck I tore completely apart when I should have done a little at a time,.
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