Stripping the paint

[nail pounder]

Since I'm on a budget I opted to do everything myself. Here's what worked the fastest for me. Hit a panel (or the whole truck) with an air DA sander with 80grit and get the really dirty work done quick. Then I came back with those polycarbide abrasive wheels on an air die grinder and cleaned a panel or two at a time. They are cheap at harbor freight, the 2" seemed to work the best. Then I used wax/grease remover and shot a 2 part epoxy on those panels and moved on to the next. I also used a $12 spot blaster from the Tractor Supply for any pitted areas, corners etc. It is time consuming but somehow rewarding. Between work and family I only get about 2-4 hours a week to work on mine so it took a few months. If I had a week off work I could have easily done it all at once. I removed the bed and hung it from the rafters in my garage when it was done, cleaned the frame, rear end etc and sprayed them also. It probably cost me $200-$250 in primer, disks, and sandpaper and now it's at least protected and I can do any body work at my leisure.