Re: 75 Dually build
 

I'm guessing not enough time to get it done & road-ready for an >8hr trip.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

No it was not the truck, I had something come up and simply could not attend. Next year it will have to be. Who know I might even throw another color on it!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Same here.... Had an equipment tear-down scheduled @ work for today which is when I had planned to leave. So I got bumped to just going for Sat like last year. Then, production was running behind from other projects so the tear-down got bumped to Saturday. Once that happened, I was out. Now, the tear-down has been bumped until next week but I'm @ work & since I wasn't going to be able to go the dually has just been sitting.

Might try & go tomorrow in my little truck for a few hours.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Your life sounds just as fun as mind does! Take some pics for the rest of us if you get to go!!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

No LST for me, but I did get it put back together tonight then the wife and I went to the store and I had to take the gas station shot while we were out.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Awesome.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Forgot my favorite pic!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Nice. Very nice....

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Took the truck out front today and washed all that Lubbock dust off it. I did this so I could apply the vinyl spray that Vvivid vinyl recommends you apply after installation. I also had another reason...

I did the factory chrome trim around the entire truck. I think it came out nice, but it got dark before I could take it out and snap any pics.

Tomorrow I will take some pics and post them. Some are going to like and some not. I felt the truck was a bit to mono chromatic for my tastes, even with the accent color. But I will let you be the judge.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

So here is tonight's update. I got the factory trim put on yesterday. Some will like it, some not, but such is the internet today. Oh well I dig it and that's what counts! I like the way it breaks up the slabbed sided nature of a square body.

Now onto the interior and the bed, but I'm taken some days off...

Stay tuned!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

I like it with the trim. It definitely needed that to help break it up. Looks Good!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Thanks Steven!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Where did you buy the vinyl? I looked back through but must have missed the post if you said where you got it. The paint on the hood and roof of my 98 are shot and I think that I might like to give this a try. Thanks!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

I agree with you completely. I really think it needs the trim. I sure wish you could have made it to LST.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Turned out great! hard work payed off.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Thanks for the question. Since I started this portion of the project there have been a lot of questions that I will list below, most of them have been from Facebook and other social media, but I think that it will benefit folks that want to try this out. So here it goes...

1. I purchased everything on eBay
2. The brand I purchased is Vvivid vinyl - but I also suggest you look at 3M and Avery Dennison as well.
3. The color is Porsche GT3 blue, or sometimes it is labeled Smurf blue.
4. I used knifeless tape on all the seams, and all the major cuts as well. Check it out on YouTube!

Technical questions and methods for application.
1. I used latex gloves while laying down the vinyl. You don't want any oils from your hands on the adhesive, plus it helps minimize scratches on the top surface as well.
2. I simply used in a spray bottle some light soapy water to first clean the piece being applied to, and then I used it as a lubricant on the film surface.
3. Use a squeegee with a felt edge to apply the film. You can get these on eBay as well.
4. Use a good heat gun, I burned up 2 cheap ones from Harbor Freight.
5. You want to lay the wrap down on the surface of the part being covered face up and then remove the backing paper from the underside while keeping the film as much as possible unexposed. The reason for all of this is there is a lot of static when you pull the backing paper off, and any dust or fine particles will go to the film like a magnet. So be cautious when doing this step.
6. Get some samples of the film you would like to use and try it out on some small pieces first. This will give you a better understanding of how this material works and how to apply it.
7. Watch YouTube videos on how to apply this stuff. Some of the better channels are Avery Dennison, Danny Pate, and Arlon. All of these were invaluable to me. I learned so much from these channels that it made my job a lot easier. And when I ran into issues, and you will run into a lot of issues when laying down this wrap stuff, I went right to the computer and watched the pros do it. Most of the time I was able to go right back and duplicate their results.
8. One of the things I like best about doing wrap is that when I got frustrated (and you will get frustrated!) I could simply lay it down and walk away. You cannot do this with paint...
9. Be patient! This stuff can be burned easy, tear easy, and scratch easy if you don't watch yourself. I know because I did all 3! The best advice I can give you is to minimize any distractions, lock the shop door, put the tunes on, and just go at this at a slow pace. When you run into a problem, and again you will run into problems, slow down and think through it like you would any other technical item that pops up.

I hope this gives you some small help. Try it out I think that once you master some of the techniques you will find new ways to use this cool material. It's not for everyone, but it just might work for you...

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Thanks so much for the advice! Your truck turned out great and this looks like something that even I might be able to do!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Me too! I was so bummed... Do you still want to do the article? Do you have time to do it? If so messenger me on Facebook and we can figure it out.

Thanks Adam!

Yeah give it a try. Like I said above get some samples and just try them on something small that way you will know if you like it or not.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Looks good, but there is something about it that I can't put my finger on. Not sure if it is the finish on the mirrors or the newer style black trim on the bumpers. Could just be the missing rear wheel center caps.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

You will notice that I put in here a disclaimer: My hide is tired! And the other day when I thought I should just break down and put them back on I looked at the empty easy chair and guess which one won that battle!

Yes I will get them put back on... So funny!!:lol:

The actual reason they came off was I was checking the wheel bolt torque to make sure it stabilized. Once I take a set of wheels off anything I go back and check the torque again. This has been ingrained in me over the years dealing with the large equipment I am around everyday. Ever had a dual tire come off on a high horse power tractor or combine? Not a pretty sight trust me!

So have I explained my laziness, probably not... I know back to work!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

It looks awesome! I also like the trim on it. Hey, who knows. Maybe it'll save a door ding down the road too. Now that you have done it, do you think you'd do it again, or just paint it. I can bet you had a lot of time doing all that.

I won't throw stones for the center caps being off. I don't put mine back on until after I torque them after 60-100 miles too. Just on the aluminum ones usually. Steels don't seem to be a big issue. I've had some tires come off when thieves started removing them in a parking lot at work years ago. Too bad no one knew about it until the next Monday at work after most of everyone had issues.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Ryan, Glad your not up to throwing stones! You asked above if I would do this again and the answer is yes. Although it did take some time being my first time, I wanted to purposely go slow, and I would do it again. The process is actually not bad, and if you are in the right frame of mind can be fun as long as the piece is not too hard. I have some other colors I would like to try in the future, but I told myself that I was going to start on my 68 GMC next after this beast was completed.

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Hope my message didn't come off like I was "Throwing Stones." I Love the work that you have done on this project as well as your side projects. If It came off that way, I would like to apologize to you. Next time I'm passing through I will buy you lunch. :metal: :metal:

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Never fear! I thought your post was very funny and well said. I was laughing my tuckis off! :lol: Hope I did not come off as a stuffy old fart!! Ryan (Dieselwrencher) on the other hand was just jumping on the same trampoline and throwing rocks at the short bus kids (Me!)

So to both of you, you made my day! Keep the posts coming, and next time you get my way I will be very glad to share breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Re: 75 Dually build
 

Very nice!!!