As Spring approaches, I have a list of some of the projects we have to do.   I always like to list the projects so that if parts get held up or tools are needed, I can work on something else.   In other words,  there is no down time.   Even with rain, a snapped bolt, run in the paintyou know what I mean.   You can soldier on.

The projects for this year are to (1) work towards completion on my 53 Buick Roadmaster hardtop.   Whats left is putting the chrome on, finishing the interior and tightening up everything.   Then (2) finishing up the 48 Packard Custom 8 Coupe.   Whats left is the interior (I have), repaint and mount the trunk (the car is in Cavalier Maroon), and details. Besides those projects, there are always others.   After this winter, I looked at my drivers: a 1984 Mercedes 300D, a 92 S-10 Pickup and a 1977 Silverado 3+3 ¾ ton Pickup, all good-running vehicles but covered with pollen and all needing cleaning up.

We started with the Mercedes.   This is a car probably like many of you have.   You have paint for it, plans to re-shoot, but there is always something more important to do.   This is a car I drive a couple of times a week.   I am a fan of these.   Mercedes built these from 82-85 with a turbo. I have had several from a 62-190D, 240D and two 300Ds.   The previous 300D went 450,000 miles and was still running as my wife and her seat began to sink out on the interstate.   Its true!   I was talking to Karen and part of the seat hit I-75.   Of course, it was rust, but then another cream 84 300D came along, so we put the 82 away for parts and bought the cream 84.   Everything works on this car, and the worst part of it is the dull paint. Its acrylic enamel and still has some buff life left in it.   I put restorer Woody Johnson on making this look good again.   He started by washing the car, cleaning out the rain gutters with brushes, opening the hood, trunk and doors and clean- ing out all of the Springpollen residue, then thoroughly washing the car, tires, hubcaps and bumpers.   I had changed a few things on this car and installed Euro headlights and OEM rims and Star hubcaps instead of the AMG wheels.

After drying the car off with microfiber towels, Woody took assessment of the paint and decided to go with buffing and polishing just to clean it up a bit.   We used the 3M Perfect-It 1-2-3 paint finishing system.

To start, Woody used #36060 (quart), a fast-cutting pad that removes sand scratches and small surface defects.   He put 5 dabs on an orange rough pad (we use the 7buffer). We space the 5 dabs equally around the pad then press the pad against the car body, creat-

 ing a creamy film before actually starting to buff.   Then after the car is buffed with #1, we go to #2 (#06094).   This removes swirl marks and smoothes the next buffing stages.   Then #3, an ultra- fine polish for a final step, (#06068), which gives a wet, glossy look even to paint such as ours. He then wiped the windows off and wiped the car off with spray wax.   It looked nice and clean and

was ready to make several trips around Georgia in a nice old Benz. One more thing that might be helpful on these cars:   with the OEM star hubcaps, there is a fac- tory plastic stencil to use when priming and painting (available online).   Just strip all the paint off the hubcaps (I use spray paint re- mover) then wipe clean and hold the stencil with one hand (gloves on) and spray with the other.   Ive done it both ways, frisketmasked and used this quick mask.   The quick mask is great for a driver, while the frisket would be better for a restoration.

Another project that needed doing was changing the oil in my 1937 Packard Super 8 original 320 straight 8.   It had only been a little over a year, but this car isnt driven and when sitting can allow the oil to become very acidic, eating away at the 9 crankshaft bearings.   Even though the oil looked clean, I changed it!   I wont go into why I use a certain oil.   I have done that in previous articles and they can be found online in our Archives.   I am the third owner of this classic 37 Super 8, so it is a car you would expect to be in excellent original condition.   It holds 8 full quarts of oil and has an OEM permanent oil filter.

I still use Valvoline 30-weight non-detergent in all of my pre-1950 cars.   I called Valvoline and was told they consider this lawn mower oil, and the zinc was not changed years ago when many oils had the zinc removed, so its supposed to be about the same as it has always been. The oil filler cap was re- moved and with a 10-quart

drain container under the car, the oil plug was removed and the oil was drained out. Being clean oil, the oil drained quick- ly, but I let it drain about an hour.   It is a 3/4" nut oil drain plug and finding a brass seal washer may not be something you have on the shelf.

It measures 1   I had only one and ran the plug finger tight then locked it down with a 3/4"wrench.   The plug's threads were fine, but the outside nut was chewed up, so I cleaned it up with a file, but there isn't much material that can be removed.   You have to check the inside as well and the outside of the bolt.   There's not much pot metal that can be filed away without leaving the plug too thin!

 Seven and a half quarts of oil were added.   The  crankcase breather/ oil filler cap was put back on and the dipstick showed 7 ½ quarts.   The car will be started and the other ½ quart will be added.   I always like to slightly under-fill then add the rest.   The 37 Super 8 is now ready for some Spring driving.

Things like this relax your mind and provide worry-free driving. Hope this finds you well.   Get the cars out and keep 'em driving!

 a