Panel Tear Down Outline

[Red-Hawk]

Hello All!

I am seeking a short but solid reference outline for the best methods or "Order of Things" for panel tear down and prep for purposes of doing body work and finally paint. Except for media blasting I plan on doing all work in my home garage. Huge Thanks in advance!

Below is my current status and desired level of restoration:

• 72 Blazer
  New:
• 6 inch skyjacker lift
• 35 big country and pro comp wheels
• warn hubs
• All new brakes, painted drums and calipers
• Rebuilt np205
• leaks fixed all around
• Most of visable rust already cut out.
• Frame is solid.
• Front panels already removed. See picture. Please forgive quality I'm not very good at resizing

Identified repairs:

• Need left and right inner and outer rockers installed
• Left and right front floor patch repair
• Need left and right patch on lower rear quarter panels
• Upper windshield repair- won't be using hard top, only soft top.
• Minor rear floor bed repair.
• Left door skin patch

Specific questions:

• Make repairs while truck panels are still intact or disassemble for blast then body repairs then paint?
• Tricks for panel and door alignment before disassembly?
• Media blast or soda blast or elbow grease method in garage.?
• When unbolting all accessible panels for stripping. Recommend chasis bracing method?
• Should I also disassemble spot welded panels for blasting too?
• Best method for cleaning up hardware (bolts nuts) etc...?

I love this forum and I know this may be a lot but been working on this a few hours a day and I'm at a sticking point for fear of making a huge time wasting mistake at this stage.

Best,
Scotty