My bed restoration/ repaint, with photos

[Mister-B]

The bed on my truck was pretty rusty. It had a spare tank that was rusted all the way through on the inside edge, and there was a a brown layer of rust on the bed, that would get my gear dirty.

So, I removed the extra tank and got rid of it. There was 40 year of mud and dirt under the tank, and a thick layer of calcified crap. I bought a wire wheel attachment for my grinder, and went at it. Went around the rest of the bed, and smoothed out any rough spots. Used a wire brush on the entire bed floor to get any loose rust chips or paint off.

Next, I scrubbed the entire bed bottom and sides down with CLR diluted with water, and a scotch brite pad.

Here's a before with the tank installed

Here's the bed after I removed the tank, ground it down, and scrubbed it with CLR. Note there are a couple small rust holes that I'll fix at a later time.

Here's the primer I used, which was left over from my back bumper project. It's the primer on the right. I didn't need more than this. I used it for my previous bumper project, and painted the bed, and have a bit left.

Here it is after painting the primer


Next, I'll get some blue paint mixed up to match the paint as closely as possible, and cover the primer with it.

This should all give me more of a classic look, while helping to stop further rust, and might be able to get the wife in the bed now lol

I'll post up a final pic when I'm done with the final blue coat
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[Square_78]

If your gunna match the blue, why not do the whole inside of the bed?

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Square_78

If your gunna match the blue, why not do the whole inside of the bed?

Because the rest of the truck is patina (including the bedrails, and oher areas on the sides of the bed, and I want to keep as much of it as possible, until (if) I get the entire truck painted, and the bed would be done at that time.

Until then, I'll have a functional bed that won't get my gear covered in brown stains
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[70cst]

That should give you good protection ...

[Mister-B]

I tried to buy some white Rustoleum, and have them match the blue, but they said they couldn't do it. So, I bought two different shades of blue Rustoleum spray paint. I tried a little of each on the bed, but they just didn't even come close to matching. Rather than put on paint that looks like I was trying to match, but couldn't, I decided to go the other direction and just use black semi gloss Rustoleum spray paint.

This'll get me by until I either have the whole truck painted (and have them shoot the bed), get a spray on bed liner, or a heavy drop in rubber bedmat. At least I've stopped the rust, and my gear won't get covered in brown stains.



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[weever82]

Looks great! I have also been thinking about a big thick rubber mat for the bottom after I have mine painted as well. Floor looks great though!

Weev-
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[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by weever82

Looks great! I have also been thinking about a big thick rubber mat for the bottom after I have mine painted as well. Floor looks great though!

Weev-
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Thanks! Amazing what roughly $20, and some elbow grease can accomplish.
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[ole dollor]

i like it....at least you have stopped the rust, and it will also be better if you do decide to paint the bed later....looks like you are doing a great job, with out spending a lot of money...you remind me of someone else i know. just a good ole daily driver.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by ole dollor

i like it....at least you have stopped the rust, and it will also be better if you do decide to paint the bed later....looks like you are doing a great job, with out spending a lot of money...you remind me of someone else i know. just a good ole daily driver.

Thank you. I'm really trying to work with what I have, without spending unnecessary money. It makes for quick satisfaction with some of these projects.
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[midniteblues]

better than it was and nice and clean

[50bomb]

I may copy you and wire wheel mine and spray it black too. I would like to paint it later on as well to matche the 503 paint.

[50bomb]

Great job by the way!

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by 50bomb

I may copy you and wire wheel mine and spray it black too. I would like to paint it later on as well to matche the 503 paint.

Go for it. It's really easy and inexpensive.
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[50bomb]

How many cans did you use? I only have 2 cans of rustoleum hunter green left. Might not be enough. I am tryin to use what I have as well. I am on a cheap budget too.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by 50bomb

How many cans did you use? I only have 2 cans of rustoleum hunter green left. Might not be enough. I am tryin to use what I have as well. I am on a cheap budget too.

It took exactly two cans of the black.
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[50bomb]

Well you inspired me to start getting some of the rust issues takin care of. It didnt come out as good as yours but just something for now. I did the steps like you recommend by using a wire wheel a couple times over and vacuuming/sweeping debris out. Then I used the Lime away. My bed is so rusted it was a challenge and I know its not the best. I didnt have any money for primer so I just used 2 of the Rustoleum "Hunt club green" I had bought awhile back. Someday I want to maybe have a shop sand blast the inside bed before i paint the whole truck and bed the 503 light green.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by 50bomb

Well you inspired me to start getting some of the rust issues takin care of. It didnt come out as good as yours but just something for now. I did the steps like you recommend by using a wire wheel a couple times over and vacuuming/sweeping debris out. Then I used the Lime away. My bed is so rusted it was a challenge and I know its not the best. I didnt have any money for primer so I just used 2 of the Rustoleum "Hunt club green" I had bought awhile back. Someday I want to maybe have a shop sand blast the inside bed before i paint the whole truck and bed the 503 light green.

That's a definite improvement. Way to go. Not sure how well it'll hold up without the coat of rusty metal primer, but it might be just fine for a while
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[cleanfreak]

Thanks for the inspiration! Before and after, fixed the holes, filled in stake holes, rustolium blue. Looked at this thread and got right on it , finished it today. Had to leave the bullet hole!

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

Thanks for the inspiration! Before and after, fixed the holes, filled in stake holes, rustolium blue. Looked at this thread and got right on it , finished it today. Had to leave the bullet hole!

Wow, that looks a lot better! Nice job. I couldn't find a Rustoleum blue that matched as well as yours. What paint number is it, and where did you buy it?
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[cleanfreak]

caribbian blue #2014 , spray can from home depot. It dosn't match perfect , but works good enough for my beater. Bob

[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by cleanfreak

caribbian blue #2014 , spray can from home depot. It dosn't match perfect , but works good enough for my beater. Bob

man that looks great..you did a great job...

[Hawghauler]

I do alot of rust repair in my work, and I can highly recommend "OSPHO" for fine rust. It converts the rust, turning it black, and resists rust reforming. It says it works as a primer, but I always primer over it. It stinks though, so do it outside or in a well ventilated area. $0.02 worth

[slikside]

Subscribed.

[Justin36]

Looks great guys
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[special-K]

Originally Posted by Hawghauler

I do alot of rust repair in my work, and I can highly recommend "OSPHO" for fine rust. It converts the rust, turning it black, and resists rust reforming. It says it works as a primer, but I always primer over it. It stinks though, so do it outside or in a well ventilated area. $0.02 worth

x2. When restoring,I always treat the rust before covering with primer for best results. That Caribbean Blue makes a decent match to the Light Blue. I suggest to those who would like to match paint to chug on down to your automotive paint supplier and have them mix you some rattle cans of OE color.Just give them a code or bring your glovebox door to scan.