The MJ Makeover...

[Andy in Pa.]

Enjoy!!

Before (These pics are about 1-1/2 years old, imagine the rust looking worse and a few more dents):

Replaced both doors, popped out a few dents and used some bondo on filling in some pitted rust spots ( Did I mention that I REALLY don't like doing bodywork...). Also trimmed up the rear quarters behind the tires approx 5" too (compare to the older pics, yes they are trimmed).

With input from my wife (its really her Jeep) the bottom 2/3's was painted a Satin Black, and the upper 1/3 is a gloss medium gray. The gray was also going to be a satin, but I couldn't find anything that wasn't Primer, so it got painted gloss gray.

After:

Lessons Learned:
1. As much as I dislike using bondo, I dislike removing decals EVEN MORE!!!
2. Over-spray seriously sucks!!
3. I am not very good at taping sections off, but it looks good from 20ft!!
4. I REALLY dislike removing decals that are 20+ years old.
5. Yeah.... the decal thing again, my fingers still hurt.

A.

 

[MoparManiac]

Freakin awesome...

I want an MJ someday.

And props to you on bodywork, I DESPISE it.

 

[crimsondragon]

When you removed decals, did you use a heat gun/hair dryer and a plastic razor blade? Used it on the Mitsu and it saved fingers and time.

 

[kastein]

1. As much as I dislike using bondo, I dislike removing decals EVEN MORE!!!
4. I REALLY dislike removing decals that are 20+ years old.
5. Yeah.... the decal thing again, my fingers still hurt.

A.

I am also in this boat... I don't put decals on my paint anymore. Windows only. If I can't get them off with a razor, I sure as hell can get them off with a rock.

Also, I suck at painting... I didn't overspray so much as underspray And I didn't do proper surface prep so I need to redo that panel anyways. Yours looks way better.

 

[sherman08]

have you tried one of those spiny rubber wheels? they may work better on newer decals, but they do a slick job of removing the decal without goujing the paintwork.

 

[f1tbiker6]

aw man. i miss my comanche..

awesome work

 

[John__505]

Looks good Andy, Hopefully you and the young lady will have it at October fest.

 

[Hammered]

I was wondering if you'd post some pics up... looks friggin good, Bumper helps beef it up too. NICE!


I'm in the "I wanna MJ" club too

 

[bandit455]

me too

looks great andy

 

[stoneattic]

Hey, I've seen that MJ around! You were at the JY on Cambridge road in West Caln a while back. Looks good!

 

[Andy in Pa.]

Hey, I've seen that MJ around! You were at the JY on Cambridge road in West Caln a while back. Looks good!

Yep... me and Bob go WAAAY back. I check in with him every once in a while. Pulled my very first XJ D44 out of that junkyard over 10 YEARS AGO!!! The XJ that it came out of is still there too...

 

[MrSimon]

Looks great, Andy. The black down the center of the hood is a nice touch .... looks tough!

 

[Ms. Lobsterdmb]

Looks good Andy! Nice work!

 

[RCman]

Freakin awesome...

X2. Looks much better than it did at NACFest.

And props to you on bodywork, I DESPISE it.

X2 again. Me too.

Looks great, Andy. The black down the center of the hood is a nice touch .... looks tough!

It is, definitely makes it stand out.

 

[Backroads]

Yep... me and Bob go WAAAY back. I check in with him every once in a while. Pulled my very first XJ D44 out of that junkyard over 10 YEARS AGO!!! The XJ that it came out of is still there too...

Been there one time, I kinda thought as I poked around that 'this is the place to find a 44 stashed in this tall ass, pricker filled grass with wasps and rust and absolutely NO ROOM!"

 

[stoneattic]

Been there one time, I kinda thought as I poked around that 'this is the place to find a 44 stashed in this tall ass, pricker filled grass with wasps and rust and absolutely NO ROOM!"

Very true. His prices are higher than Ford's up on 10 and the selection is pretty slim. But since he's just up the road from me I go there occasionally.

 

[STROKER]

looks good andy, wanna bondo mine and paint it...haha:roflmao:

STROKER

 

[XJinPA]

If that's the same one you had when I met you it looks like a completely different animal. Great work!!!

 

[OverlandZJ]

Looks great.. good work Leah! :thumbup:

:laugh:

 

[ghettocruiser]

Looks good man! I remember when it was a tiny tire'd 2wd parts hauler Its come a long way, and an awesome transformation!

It would look bad-a with a roll bar in the back and a couple KC lights on top...though, that'd be pointless stuff. haha. Looking forward to seeing it in October if you bring it along.

J.