SkinnyG's '61 Apache

[SkinnyG]

Ok, so I forgot another patch. But I did get blasted what I wanted to get blasted. Epoxy primer tomorrow. I learned watching "(female-dog)in' Boot Camp" that it's a good idea to have rounded corners on patches, so I thought I'd do that.

[SCOTI]

Nice!

[SkinnyG]

Super short video:

Rust Patch - YouTube

[cwcarpenter98]

Did the rounded corners work better for you? I'll probably have to try that when I get back on my rust repair if it works better. One day I'll have enough practice to get my patches looking as good as yours

[SkinnyG]

I am too inexperienced to really notice a difference.

They say 90° corners really mess up the panel, might have been focusing the heat to a point, or the panel shrinking to a pucker, or something. Whatever the reasoning was, it made sense to me at the time. Figured I'd try it.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I am too inexperienced to really notice a difference.

They say 90° corners really mess up the panel, might have been focusing the heat to a point, or the panel shrinking to a pucker, or something. Whatever the reasoning was, it made sense to me at the time. Figured I'd try it.

Ok, that makes some sense. I might have to try that some time. Thanks!

[SkinnyG]

I patched a section of the Toe board, as it was far more pitted than i wanted. The passenger side inner rocker and cab supports got installed, and now that all that structure is back in and located, the A pillar bottom and kick is being replaced. I was a horrible judge of how long this would take. OMG.

[SkinnyG]

Handy tip - use the appropriate sized end mill in a hand drill (lightly) to clean out your epoxy primer or weld-through primer prior to plug welding.

[SkinnyG]

Handy tip - use sheet metal screws to suck the cab supports up to the floor for welding, then just plug weld the holes.

Driver's side rocker and floor done, and A-pillar bottoms are epoxy primered and drying, ready for welding tomorrow.

This side was just as annoying to do as the other side. I am losing my patience too easily.

[cwcarpenter98]

I like that idea about the screws. I'll have to use it when I finally get to that point on my truck. The progress is looking great!

[SkinnyG]

I hung the door to fit the outer rocker, which (after some significant adjustment) fit with gargantuan door gaps. The door already had the hinges as high as they would go, and the guide on the door also adjusted as high as it could go, and the gaps are freaking drunk. The build quality of these trucks betrays the golden age of no seatbelts, and bottle openers on the dashboard.

Since it appears that the door bottoms in and out should be replaced, I may "adjust" the gap at that time. Or ignore it completely.

[SkinnyG]

Oh My Gosh - the body panel gods must be smiling. The back of this rocker panel fit perfectly, the front only needed two slits.





And two coats of epoxy primer, and that's it for my summer. Back to work tomorrow. My projects usually stall for close to two months at the start of the school year because work sucks all my energy away.

[The Rocknrod]

Boy that makes things easier.

[SCOTI]

Good looking progress.

Good luck w/the school year start-up!

[Corts60]

Excellent fabbing! Well done.

[SkinnyG]

Rockers are welded in, and I welded a "tab" I bent back for the rear cab supports.

Hopefully, cab corners tomorrow.

[aotte1]

Thanks for all the progress pictures, looking good.

[SkinnyG]

Both cab corners are fitted. They both needed tweaking as the curve didn't match, and the beading at the bottom didn't match. Good think I have hammers.

The passenger cab corner was actually very solid. But I cut as little of it as I figured I could get away with, just to make sure that ALL the rust in the nooks and crannies are gone. I want to do my best to make this repair last as long as possible.

Sprayed epoxy over the rockers, and in and on the cab corners in preparation for welding whenever I get to them.

Oh, also filled the hole in the cowl.

[cwcarpenter98]

Lookin' good as always! What are you using to spray the epoxy?

[SkinnyG]

I'm actually using a wee touch-up HVLP gun from Princess Auto (the CDN equivalent of Harbor Freight). It sprays REALLY nice for me, and the size really minimizes overspray.

When I am ready to do the whole body, I will use one of my bigger guns for sure.

[SkinnyG]

I guess, at this point, I could spray some Orange, and then a light spray of green lacquer, and rock the patina....

It would save me HOURS of bodywork.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I'm actually using a wee touch-up HVLP gun from Princess Auto (the CDN equivalent of Harbor Freight). It sprays REALLY nice for me, and the size really minimizes overspray.

When I am ready to do the whole body, I will use one of my bigger guns for sure.

Ok, thanks. I'll have to look into getting a spray gun setup just for some epoxy primer since it seems that it's not available in a rattle can

[SkinnyG]

Eastwood sells 2K primer in a spray bomb, but it gets pricey real fast.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I guess, at this point, I could spray some Orange, and then a light spray of green lacquer, and rock the patina....

It would save me HOURS of bodywork.

No complaints here. The sooner it's done how you want it, the sooner you're enjoying the fruits of your labor.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Eastwood sells 2K primer in a spray bomb, but it gets pricey real fast.

Ok, thanks. I had not found that product in my prior searches. My reasoning behind using a rattle can is to lay down some epoxy primer instead of regular primer on the areas where I patch since I'm not going to be doing a full paint job any time soon. In my case, I'm not sure which is better: a regular primer or epoxy primer