Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Primed the nose, the underside of the steps (so I can weld the reinforcement, then I'll prime the tops), as well as the inside of one of the fenders (so I can flip it over tomorrow). No blasting done today because comedy of activity timing.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...20-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Latest Video:

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Finished priming the fender the other day, along with the steps after I welded the brace underneath. No idea if short steps are reinforced underneath or not; can't hurt.

I've been doing more blasting. The left rear fender is blasted, the step supports are blasted, and two bed rails are now blasted.

Also filled a couple holes in the bed sides that used to hold something. Well, a couple were for the spare tire mount, but dunno about the others.

Started thinking about organizing the air ride next.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

SkinnyG - the factory short steps are not braced. Only bolted to the support bracket from the front bed cross sill and to the bottom of the fender.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I kinda had a hunch that was so. Still, can't hurt, eh?

One more bed brace to blast, and I think I'll be doing the final light blasting of the bed for primer.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...3s-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...4s-672x378.jpg

In between the previous sandblasting episodes (waiting for the air compressor to cool, for example), I started placing the Air Ride components.

While I initially planned to tuck an air tank or two inside bulbous rear fenders, I ended up placing the kit's air tank on the left side leg of the "X". This frame makes it tricky to place a tank, though it is easier with the bed floor raised. You need to take into account room for the driveshaft, room to plumb the lines, tank servicability, access to tank drain, operation of rear sway bar, serviceability of differential, etc..... The compressor will likely go right where I have it in the picture. I'll be running single exhaust down the passenger side, so no room over there.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...8s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Finished blasting the last of the bed rails. Also blasted all the metalwork/shrinking marks from the inside of the bed.

Outside of the bed next.

Still need to blast the hood, the grill, the headlight bezels, and the cab.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Blasted the outside of the bed, and some parts of the bed bottom I had missed. Next will be to up-end the bed, finish blasting the underside, and then should be ready for primer. I hope. I'm always ready for surprises.

I have about 15 hours worth of time-lapse sandblasting video.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/p...1s_mmthumb.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

First side of bed parts being primed. Second side tomorrow morning. Trying to work three times as fast.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...4s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

:lol: I need whatever you've been taking :lol:

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Great job SkinnyG!! I could use some of that energy here!! but at over 100 degrees... it makes it hard.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

We're currently around a livable 95°F. I did do a lot of sand blasting when we were at 111°F and everything was on fire.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

In the morning I flipped everything over and did the other side. What surprised me is the bed parts took an entire gallon of Epoxy Primer. Mixed 1:1 with activator, that's two gallons sprayed! At over $200 for both, I can see this truck taking $1000 in primer alone. Wow. I'm pretty sure I put three gallons of primer (and three gallons activator) into the cab and doors, front fenders and nose. Hmmm. Make that $2200 in primer once the cab and frame are done. Wow.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...5s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Better call Maaco for the paint. They can do a whole car start to finish for >$500 :lol:

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

The $500 quality shows, too. :D

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Blasting the hood. This was three or four hours. No, nothing on the other side, just this...

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...50-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Four more hours of blasting got me here. Still haven't touched the topside.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...15-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I'm sure it's frustrating not seeing more progress with the time involved, but just think how good it will feel in the end when you get it in epoxy and you know that it was bare/clean metal. Keep up the good work!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

It is slow progress, and I get that. I'm saving myself upwards of the $1800 I was quoted to blast absolutely everything on the truck like I am doing. The blaster cost me $135 and I love it.

The rough part for me is being stuck inside my head while blasting. My brain needs to be occupied; I really struggle with mindless tasks.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Jokes on you, he is actually 1 brother from a set of triplets and they take turns going to work so the other 2 can work on the truck. At least that's how I picture some of you guys get all this work done lol.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Two more hours got me here:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...02-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

AND picked up some PPG Delfleet paint for the frame when I get done blasting the frame. I don't want to sand the frame, so if I can blast it, epoxy prime it, and then paint it within the epoxy's re-coat window, I won't have to sand. Yay me.

The Delfleet is looking to be a fairly positive paint for final colour too.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Any idea how the delfleet is on rust prevention? I know rust is the enemy around here so whatever works good for keeping rust away on something mainly unseen like the frame is what I'd use regardless of finished look lol.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

It's a polyurethane enamel, so that will be the standard. Polyurethane and an Epoxy primer is about as good as I'm going to get.

Regardless, it lasted 60 years with poo coatings.