Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Now I gotta watch just to see how "mater" turns out. Very cool.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

It depends on which boy they bring home. LOL

:uhmk:

That's as close as I could get it. ;) It has turned into a much bigger project than I had anticipated.

Amen brother.

They don't last long in the hot shop, but they are trying. If she wants to drive it that's even more reason not too finish it. :haha:

Me too.

Here is the latest pic. I air brushed the chrome wheels to give it the "Mater" look. The wheels and tires aren't mounted yet. Just sitting there for a glamour shot

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

It's nearly impossible to wipe filler in these temps/humidity. We should be getting a break in temp/humidity soon. I want to get my bed done and painted by (this) winter. I need some extra cash to get me a MAr-K T/G. I need to get a dolly made so I can set the bed off. I don't want to hit the cab with a sander or weld splatter. Sorry for the lame post, just keeping the spirit alive. ;) The pic is from last night. After working all day in a 100+ degree shop then come home and cool off I couldn't stay out there last night. I hope to work on 198Plus cab, my bed and Shannon's cab if he will come out of the house after trying to get over his fishing trip this weekend. :lol:

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I know the feeling. I want so bad to shoot some color on mine, but these temps and humidity are murder.

Oh well sit back, have a cold one and crank up the AC for now.:ito: :rolleyes:

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

It's been in the low 90's here with low humidity. Next week it's supposed to really get hot. I just cut the hole in the side wall of the shop to install a swamp cooler. It should work great in the dry desert.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

It only got up to 85 today. Me and Shannon discussed makeing a bed dolly. It will be a tight fit in the shop. My truck with the bed off and 2 other cabs in a 30x30 with all of my crap too boot. We will make it work.

If I ever replace my AC in the house I will install it on the shop.

I uncovered it today it felt good to see it without plastic over it. Plus just to prove to y'all that I still have it. :haha:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...b/DSC03179.jpg

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I thought about building a bed dolly out of wood, but had this old ladder rack laying around. I might adapt it to hold my bed and put some wheels on it to roll it around. I'll have to reinforce it some.

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I don't know how you put up with the heat. It gets 90 here and I'm dying.:devil: I here Montana is cool this time of year.:lol::lol: Bed on top storage under.:metal:

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Other than sweating lig a pig I don't mind it too much. As long as I can start in the morning and work into it. Once I get in the AC for a period of time it's hard to get back in it.

Got the stand finished up and put some casters on it. I used the cab lift bar to lift the bed off in one piece. Warning it is not a one man job. It is very unstable. Shannon came over a helped out. Instead of rolling the lift around we decided it was best to roll the truck out then put the stand under it. Now it's hammer time. :lol:

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

nicely done! looking forward to the progress...

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Thats a cool way to use stuff laying around, after your done i need to borrow it :lol:

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Love the bed cart
Good thinkin' Alan
T

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Useless Trivia of the day Alan . Pigs have no sweat glands and do not perspire, and can overheat , They love water misters and MUD. (As my girls learned in a 4-H /FFA swine project this summer.)
As for the humidity. I was in Washington DC this July during the 100* days & it was miserable. I never have been in the humid heat before made me sick and dehydrated.
Idaho has 100 degrees heat but desert humidity and is manageable to work in.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Excellent use of resource, Alan. (tree-hugger) LOL!;)

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Nicely done Alan

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I looking forward to progress as well. BTW Thanks

Thanks, just trying to save some cash and time. You can be in line behind Shannon on borrrowing it. ;)

:thumbs:

Thanks for the trivia, I have enough sweat glands to share with some pigs. So what is a "Sweat Hog"? ;) I was stationed up in Great Falls MT during the summer as well as Phoenix. I like it better there. But this is what I grew up with and can deal with it. My wife can't stand it.

If hugging my money tree trying to get it to bloom again classifies me as a tree hugger then I guess that's what I am. :lol:

Thanks David.

Trying to decide if I should go with a smooth tailgate from Mar-K.

http://www.mar-k.com/Catalog/Images/Items/g5866ftgs.jpg

Or a scripted one.

http://www.mar-k.com/Catalog/Images/Items/g5866ftgC.jpg

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

That man knows his pigs.:lol:

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I really like the script ones. Jason's turned out sweet.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Go with the smooth, then paint cooler letters in, saying what ever you want.

my 2c del

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I'll cast a vote for the "smoothed" tailgate. Hard to tell for sure but it almost looks like the script gate has the script panel held on by rivets. With as much work as you are doing to shape up and smooth down your truck, I think the script tailgate would just look unfinished. I agree with del66, paint your oun choice of lettering on the smooth tailgate. My .02

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Thanks for the input on the T/G. The scripted looks more original and I kind of like that. I'm not fond of emblems or pinstripes. I like racing stripes, but not on this project. Plans for this truck are for a simple slick paint job with nothing on it, so I think a smooth T/G will work best for this project.;)

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

with some of the smooth ones i've seen, it just looks too plain or out of place...but on a truck that's completely custom, i don't think it looks bad....either way, i'm sure it'll look just as slick as the rest of your truck

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I like the scripted ones, as the smooth ones look like an afterthought in my opinion. Whichever you choose, I know it will look good!

Just a thought, you could snap a couple of pictures, then post in the photoshop section, and have someone remove the scripting so you could actually see how it looks with your current setup, and smoothed....

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I think the stepside lettering looks pretty good,but like Del said, with smooth one you could do whatever you like
T

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Thanks, I hope so.

Can I use a pic when I first got the truck? It's blue, but it's the only pics I have of it together.

After the clean and simple look.

Used some 18 guage to try to make some rain gutters for the A post. To my knowledge noone makes them. I don't need them, but Ronnie does on his build. Over all they turned out pretty good. My shear won't shear 18 guage so I had the cut it out by hand. The angle needs to be a little sharper to be exactly like the factory, but my break won't go any further. It will work like it is. I only made one for now. I need to find someone that can shear 18 guage. I thought about trying 20 guage, but I don't have any.

Here I used a short piece to practice my bends.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSC03221.jpg

Next is the final product.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSC03223.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSC03225.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSC03227.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSC03226.jpg

Next it's on to the bed...........Pics on the way.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Started to work the Lt bed panel. First I worked on shaving the chain area and the rear stake pocket.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03231.jpg

I left this piece a little long and once I welded it I trimmed to fit.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03233.jpg

Alll done with chain area and rear stake pocket

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03234.jpg

Moved on up the bedside to another problem. I tried heat to straighten this out with no luck.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03235.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03238.jpg

I put it on the vise and beat it back into submission and welded what was left of the hole. This is where it is now. Got pulled away.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03239.jpg

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Here is a link to the thread in photoshop.

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I'm really happy to see you fill in that little notch.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03234.jpg


I think every rear of a truck I've seen that has been 'shaved' this little detail has not been done, and it bugs the crap outta me. This is just another example of the fine detail that sets you above most of the guys Alan :thumbs:

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I like the "chevrolet" logo on the 2002-2006 avalanche tailgates.. I always wanted to put it on a project... however I found out that those tailgates are plastic...
is there a way to bond that logo to a smooth metal gate?
that would be my suggestion!

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I'm with captianfab
I agree that notch should be filled by all with out chains, it is just another detail that many over look, but Alan's Keen eye for detail is at it again and definitely will be apparent when in shows.

Tailgate script or no script

I prefer the original script tailgates, this is my opinion. I don't like the script on the Mar-K tailgates, it is different from original and reversed from original and does not suite me, I like the latch system and wish they would make us a kit to adapt to the original tailgates and as for the links to hold the tail gate those are Ok too in keeping with the original equipment later models or the newer cables are cool too,

So Alan in your case I'm voting for the non script and then you can letter it or do what ever design on the tailgate you wish, but what ever you do it will be detailed and cool we are all waiting to see what you do and then drool.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Thanks Capt. I hope I'm happy on the final product. There will always be something that one wish they did different. Right now I'm wishing I put frame notches in and bored and sleeved the trailing arm crossmember for exhaust.

One could probably use 8115 panel bond from 3m. It's amazing stuff. We use it to bond 1/4 panels on in some areas.

Thanks Kevin!!

I use these pull pins to handle the panel until it is ready to weld then use tape to hold it where I want it til it is tacked.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03243.jpg

Since I removed the stake pocket I needed a reinforcement to brace it up.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03245.jpg

Getting ready to wipe.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03247.jpg

This is all I can wipe at one time due to the heat (97 in the shop). Due to the heat I have to reduce the hardener that is used, in turn the crust stays sticky longer. It kicks really fast but due to the sticky crust it gums up the sand paper. Sometimes I can wipe the sticky stuff off with a laquer rag if I can't wait. It's still drying now. I should be able to sand pretty soon when it is fully cured without using thinner.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03249.jpg

First wipe

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03248.jpg

Nine wipes later. It took almost an hour just to wipe it. I couldn't take my time like I usually would. I just had to get it on as quick as possible.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03251.jpg

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

What product are you using on your wipes?
Thanks!

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03253.jpg

I love this stuff, but it's about $40/gallon.

I knocked the crust off with 36 grit on an assortment of air tools. I don't like blocking so I do as much with air tools as possible.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03255.jpg

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03254.jpg

Then I went over it with a long block with 80 grit. Still have a few low spots that need attention.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC03256.jpg

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

I like that you are showing this part...
most of the time you see a bare metal shot, and then a shot of finished with paint..
I think that alot of people don't realize that to get any vehicle super straight like the 6 figure show cars, there will be a skim coat of some sort of filler over the whole vehicle...might only be a millimeter thick, but it will be there.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

You want to know about Heat. I was in Kuwait in Aug of 03, it was 160* + and were right at the sea, in a metal building building wheels. We had a swamp cooler that did no good.

I like the stand Alan.

Re: Project Vitamin C-10
 

Yeah the heat makes you move a lot faster especially when it your money going into the materials that dry fast :lol:

Is that a Hutchins line sander? You like it? I have heard good and bad about them but i guess its all in how you take care of them..

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nice progress!

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:metal: As usual, beautiful work - Alan. :metal:

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Thanks! I gonna try it out, I have never used the xtreme, I have only used the gold.... Thanks again, keep up the great work!

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I noticed that as well when I signed up over 3 years ago. I wanted to show all stages of body work. Like you said most don't know how much prep work goes into a slick paint job.

:devil:That's hot!! BTW thanks!!

I used a straight line sander for a while and didn't like it. I bought this one used after borrowing a coworkers hutch air file. I love it it's basically a DA file board, because it orbits unlike the straight line ones. My first pic is the 8" mud hog.

:thumbs:

:thumbs:

I use to use the gold, but that was 5-6 years ago. Rage extreme is basically in between gold and Metal glaze #416 as far as consistancy goes.

Went out tonight did more sanding and filled some low spots. I'll knock it down tomorrow.

KMACD71 did this in Photo shop for me. He took the letters off the T/G. He said doing a color change can't be done. I'm trying to find out what is needed to see my vision. Maybe I can do a search for a Hugger orange truck and just have the PS guys do some changes. That should be OK don't you think?