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I'm just about done with my efforts on the paint work and am focusing
On on smaller details like the lips behind the front and rear bumpers.

Hi hadn't set out to do any of this, it all started after a rain when I saw the car wet. It no longer had that "crusty" look and my objective was to find a what to lock in the look just after a rain and, well here we are! The condition of the paint was indicative of all aesthetic items and so items like the pitted chrome did look as bad as they do now that the paint is loved. I point this out because this is the reason I've begun hunting for new chrome
pieces.

I am happy to say that I found a near flawless basically inbox "airplane" hood ornament for $95! I also found a new chrome trunk handle for $125.
I'm really enjoying the way that the reconditioned paint and newer chrome trim looks together .

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It's important to me to get the interior in shape with the correct fabric and color scheme. My only hardship over this is due the price SMS
Charges for their wool broadcloth ($68 a yard)

After several months of searching I finally found my wool broadcloth at a cost substantially lower than SMS and it will be installed as it came from the factory

In doing so I also found it very interesting to learn how broadcloth is made (explanation in picture)

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To prep for the upholstery work I stripped the seats, cleaned with TSP AND and a wire brush and then applied some rust converter throughout. There were only isolated spots of very surface rust but the entire floorboard Was treated with three separate coats of rust converter

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Made a little bit of an impact on the interior

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My first (of many I am sure) round of vanity shots

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@steve and @don: thank you very much for your kind words! It is very encouraging and also makes me content to know you feel
I am doing good by this machine

My upholsterer was kind enough to send someone to the house to give me a quote - not sure if it was a coincidence but he agreed to do so after finding out it is a Packard I wanted a quote for.

As you can see, he left with my seats to get a head start while I wrap up a couple items here.

The upholsterer has been in business for 49 years and is a true master of his craft as is apparent by his work (which I've included some pictures of)

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Jason, thanks for posting all the pics of the progress on your Packard. Your hard work is obvious!! The transformation is amazing. For example, no way that I would have expected the dash to come back that nice.

Looking forward to seeing more of your progress, and especially pics with the new interior installed.

Paul

@Paul I appreciate your interest and words of encouragement!

I removed all the carpet and factory material ( assuming it is sound deadener / sheet insulation) and a tar that was used to hold it to the floorboards, and then used converter to treat the very minimal isolated surface rust. The floorboards were in really good shape as you'll see in the picture taken when I had just started removing the tar.

After that I installed sound deadener and heat insulation

There's a distinct satisfaction that comes within giving careful time and attention to items no one will ever see!

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I stopped by the upholstery shop to drop something off and got a sneak peek of the seats. They look and feel amazing, this wool broadcloth is extremely luxurious

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