have i lost my mind????

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by BB70c10

i still cant tell how good the body lines match up with the welds and two tone paint.im pretty sure i'll have to work them a little more before any paint is laid on it.im just excited that they're back in one piece kinda.

I think you are going to find that once you "float" the body lines out with filler, they are going to be just fine. Your bedsides have prolly sunk in some due to the heat of welding (sheet metal always shrinks when you weld it, just a matter of a lot or a little, depending on how much heat you used). That of course is not a bad thing, esp when you are trying to line up the bedsides and cover the welds. It looks like they didn't shrink too badly, your filler thickness should be down to a mininum. I know the bed curves a little, but a straightedge will help you see how far the seams are and how the filler thickness is going. Also guide coat your filler before you sand with some cheap flat black lacquer paint, it will help you see where it is still low.

Use 36-40 grit until it is perfect. Anything smoother grit-wise is a waste of time and you will really fight getting it straight. Once you are happy with the way it feels, spread on a coat of some polyester glazing putty (a finish product for filler, very, very smooth and runny) over the whole area (of sanded filler and beyond a little bit, making sure its sanded underneith) and then switch to 80 (get it close) and finish with 150. You will level it faster and straighter and actually save time.

Originally Posted by BB70c10

you know how those body shop guys can be:lol

I seem to resemble that remark! But, (cough, cough) I KNOW how we can be...

D