Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Cleaned the instrument cluster and painter the needles. Once I repaint the bezel I'll be able to assemble the cluster for the last time (hopefully). I used scotch brite to clean the copper on the printed circuit and dielectric grease on all grounds and connectors.
I also started experimenting with different waxes, polishes, and compounds to see what gave the paint the best shine. I think we will end up using a Meguiars polishing compound and a carnuba wax to finish

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Finally a little mock up of the fender and door after a little paint match and wax. I forgot to take a pic of the fender after paint so this is the best we got

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Lookin' SHARP!

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Not a ton of progress but I did get out the paintbrush and lay down some por last night. Should be able to fit the door bottom in the next couple days and hopefully weld it in this weekend

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

man, you're killing this! Nice work.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Thanks dude!

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I started fitting the door patch tonight and discovered this is by far the worst patch panel I have to deal with. Looks like I'm gonna have to split the patch long ways and add about 1/4" to make it fit right

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Great job on this truck my friend! It has been a while since I checked in but I read through the whole build. Looking great..

You still have your orange one?

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Thanks for checking in brotha! Hope all is well with you. Yea the old orange truck is still around, sitting in storage while I work on this one

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Despite the holiday madness I was able to get a little done this weekend. I got the door patch split and tacked into place. I am working on running the filler piece now it's just a major pita. Once it's all tacked and fit I'll test fit the door on the truck, if it clears the final fit test I'll cut the tacks holding the patch to the door and finish body work the filler seam until it looks decent and then finish fit, tack, and weld the patch back on the door.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I also managed to get the foggy windshield removed. The original gasket is in great shape so I'll do what I can to soften the rubber and reuse it with the new clear windshield. I was way stoked to find really solid og paint and metal all the way around the windshield frame. I was fearful of some hidden rust in the corners but everything looks killer!

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

That door bottom repair looks crazy difficult, but good. Also, how did you manage to get the windshield out whole and save the gasket? Never had much luck without at least damaging the rubber.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I broke the glass haha. My plan was to keep steady pressure and work it around the pinch weld but it eventually cracked when it had enough pressure so I decided to just break the glass off in chunks to protect the gasket. Probably not the best way to do it but it got the job done.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I talked to a guy years ago at a car show. He had a numbers matching restored truck.
He said the best windshield gaskets were to original gaskets. He said he would always break the windshield to save it.
Then he would put it in a bucket of water with ivory soap and Tide.
He said it would be as soft as a new one when it came time to use it.
Not sure of the time frame or the water mixture ratios, but I always remember that story.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Great info, Keith.

And I'm right there with you, Andrew. Never had any luck pulling a windshield without breaking it.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Sweet truck, and awesome metal work! Now I have to go check out your other builds.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Looks good!

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Thanks guys. This door patch has been killing me, so much cutting, welding, and grinding. I’ve been hammering it out over the past few weeks and I’m getting really close. The other day I primed and painted the back side of the patch panel and tacked it into place for the last time. Tonight I was able to do most of the finish tack and grind work. I’ve just gotta finish grind the center section and I’m home free! Can’t wait to put this one behind me

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Wow that is turning out great! Sucks when new panels are so far out but it looks like you got it under control!:cong:

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Thanks brotha, it's definitely taken a little wind out of my sail but once I get it finished and start on the other side i will have some momentum built back up. I am hoping to have to door finish welded and primed today, I will bolt it back on the truck for the last time and hopefully turn it around in the garage tomorrow so I can get started on the drivers side this week. "Hopefully" haha

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Excellent! Best of luck to you. Awaiting the finished picture of your door. :D

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Here ya go

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Back on the truck

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

And finally got some seem sealer on the pass rocker. Now to turn the truck around and start all over again

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Very nice work! That is amazing. Did you even use filler on that door?

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Thanks man, there isn’t any filler in the pics but it’ll need a light skim coat before final paint.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Wow you must have some good welding skills then. I am struggling a bit with my welding at the moment. Might be time to save up for a gas cylinder soon. Flux core just isnt working out for me.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Did a little disassembly of the core support/grill last night. I was considering buying a new core support but when I realized the 67-8 gmcs are 300 bucks I decided to fix the one I have haha. It’ll be a project but I have more time then money right now. I cut out all of the cancer and let everything soak overnight in ospho. I also cleaned up the grill and put it on the shelf until I’m ready to install. What do you guys think about fixing dents in the grill? The main one in the center bar kinda bugs me but I don’t wanna compromise any of the og paint

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

...

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Core support... luckily I have another one that’s also rusty that I can cut patches out of. The trick is gonna be figuring out how to cut up the drivers side to fix the passenger side.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

On a side note, what do you guys think about smoothing out these pinches in the factory support? They all have it and I saw someone cut that area out and put a nice radius patch in there but I don’t wanna take away from the originality.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I've always thought the same about rounding off the rad support , but not on this truck , to original.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I agree. If this was your other truck I'd say yes definitely do it, but not on this one.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Yea that’s kinda what I was thinking, it’ll stay factory. What about the dents in the grill?

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

I usually don't mind a few dents if it's consistent over the whole truck. From what I can see in the pics though, your truck looks really clean and straight so I probably would try and knock out at least that big dent in the grill.

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Finally got her turned around to start on the drivers side

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

...

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

It’s amazing how much crap can fit it one rocker

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Wow that was fast! 6 minutes to cut all that out? :lol: Good work

Re: 1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl
 

Finally I soaked everything down in ospho to kill the rust. I did find some unexpected rust spots hidden under the bed liner paint and some bondo on the cab floor. I took a da to the floor to hopefully find all of it, I think we are clear now.