Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build

[1956cameo]

Originally I was just going to post the close up shots and then wait a day or two before posting the full body pictures, but then I figured why make people wait. So here are a few shots showing the entire blazer. Sorry the shots are so up close and limited in angles and views. There just isn't much room in the paint booth to take adequate pictures. I can't wait to get this thing sanded and buffed so that paint will really "POP"!








I don't know why the interior looks so bad in this photo. The inside actually came out looking great. I think it looks bad in this picture due to weird lighting and poor camera angle. The floor of the cab area and bed will be painted with black rubberized coating.

[freakshow108]

I can't wait to get to this stage with my blazer, I know how you feel finally getting to paint, when we got to this stage with my kids truck It was definitely the light at the end of the tunnel! Looks good, keep the pics coming!
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[NewType72]

Awesome so glad to see some paint in this bad boy
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[YBNORML]

Wicked! I love the color.

[72ironmike]

When I see members that do builds like this I am always floored. It is such an amazing display of everything good in people. Self reliance, will-power, ingenuity, determination, intelligence, capability, resourcefullness, sacrifice, hard work, etc..... on & on. Nice, nice work. Glad I found this for morning reading/coffee. GM did not do that much work when they built it (you will have a "hand built" auto) ! Truly Sweet !

[jjzepplin]

Subscribed.

[Greenlee]

Looks good. Nice work!
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[Muleman100]

Proud of the 1956Cameo outcome on the Blazer, now after a little color sanding and buffing it will look even better. Then off to paint the fenders, tailgate and hood which will be easier since they are off the vehicle. keep up the good work.

[Sicklajoie]

Great work. That's one killer blue!

[1956cameo]

freakshow108, Thanks! I am sure you will have your blazer in paint before you know it. This is definitely one of the monumental occasions during a restoration. The others are the first time you fire it up, the first time you drive it, and when it is finally completed.

NewType72, You and me both!

YBNORML, Thanks! According to my glove box door it is Dark Blue, but the factory 72 paint chart called it Mariner Blue. To be honest the color is one of the big reasons why I bought this blazer. I like to keep my vehicles the factory color and knew I had to have a factory red or blue blazer with a white or black interior. This one was originally blue with white interior.

72ironmike, Thank you for the very kind and encouraging words! The great people like you and everyone else on this forum deserve a huge credit for projects like this. Without everyone's help and support I am sure that a lot fewer projects like this one would ever get completed. Oh, and I have to agree with you. This blazer was definitely put together with a whole lot more determination the second time around than the first time around. That's what I always tell people that are afraid to tear into these trucks. Every part of your truck was originally put together by a guy that had one minute to assemble hit part, it was his job and he was likely just trying to get through the day and didn't care about the vehicle at all, and no one at that time thought of these vehicles as anything but work vehicles.

jjzepplin, Welcome!

Greenlee, Thanks!

Muleman100, Thank you for all of the help! This project would be only a fraction of what it is without your overwhelming help. There is a long way to go but it is satisfying to know what we have been able to accomplish up to this point!

sicklajoie, Thanks! Its one of my favorites.

[Big Block]

Wow! All of your hard work has paid off. You saved one that surly was left for dead. The 72 that I sold was Hawaiian Blue and had a blue interior. It was a CST with air, tach, 4 spd. One of the board members bought it. He started a build thread back 3/09/11 and never posted any progress since then. Here is the link http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451927 Just wondering what happen to it. Not trying to high jack your thread.

[PD1292]

Wow, That looks great, good to finally have some color on it. Great work as always..

[hgs_notes]

Well done. You might have passed me by now.

[1956cameo]

Big Block, Thanks! It looks like the one you sold was pretty similar to mine but in better shape. Maybe the guy you sold it do got discouraged with the build thread because he only had on belated post by another member. It's a shame because his first few posts were informative and full of pictures. It was definitely the type of thread I like to subscribe to. Hopefully he is making good progress.

PD1292, Thanks for the encouragement!

hgs_notes, Thanks! Don't worry I am sure it won't be long before you re take the lead.

[lks dcvn]

Aww man! You beat me to color...that looks sharp!

Oh well - I have a few more things to finish up and I am hoping to spray color this summer.

You did very well and saving this truck was quite a feat.

Nice work!

Added a bit of a short picture timeline - hard to believe how much has been done to this truck to get it this far. Congrats.

[SOON2BLAZE]

Its been a long road. Looks like you beat me to paint! Good choice of color.

[1956cameo]

lks dcvn, Thanks for setting up the timeline! Well I think you will have a great chance to surpass me again. My wife and I decided to go on the Dave Ramsey debt free plan. That means NO $$ on trucks until we are debt free. Fortunately I think I have enough work that I can do on the blazer to keep me busy without spending money until the end of the year; after that it will sit. Fortunately this is a good stopping point. I am looking forward to seeing your blazer get some fresh paint!

SOON2BLAZE, Thanks! It was definitely a longer road than I was expecting. Looking forward to see your blazer in paint as well!

[hgs_notes]

I hope it works out for you and then you have so much money you don't know what to do with it. Looks like I'll be able to catch up again...

[1956cameo]

Thanks hgs_notes! I saw that you shot a little paint on your blazer. It is going to be nice in that color.

[1956cameo]

After about a month long hiatus from the blazer I started the cutting and buffing process. I started small with just the drivers side door and worked slowly. Of course it is hard to tell from the pictures but here is what I started with. As in all paint jobs it looks good but is not perfect.
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So I used 2,000 grit paper and the longest board I could find and started wet sanding out the orange peel, and any runs that may have been in the clear coat. It wasn't necessary but to ensure that I didn't sand on the body lines I laid masking tape to prevent burn outs.
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Than the buffing process began. We used an electric buffer with the RPM setting at 1400. We did two different cuts with the buffer and a final finishing cut by hand. This is what it looked like after the electric buffer.
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Once the we did the final hand buff it was starting to look mirror smooth. If the rest of the truck comes out as nice as the door I will be very happy.
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Thanks again to Muleman100 for all of the help. Once we get the whole thing buffed out and in the sun I will post more progress pictures.

[Ron 586]

That is one nice looking Blazer. Lots of hard work but worth it. Congrats.

[hgs_notes]

Smoooooth.

[jjzepplin]

Not sure if I'm more jealous of the paint job or the barn in the reflection. Dang nice paint!

[1956cameo]

Ron 586, Thank you!

hgs_notes, It's getting that way!

jjzepplin, Thanks! Unfortunately the barn is in about as rough of shape as this blazer was when I started on it. Instead of rust it has been decimated by termites. Since we no longer have animals we are thinking of salvaging the tin from the roof and tearing the rest down.

[NewType72]

Wow thy is one slick door that's some awesome buffing my friend great job.
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