the paint booth decision... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chrislehr · 04-17-2008, 02:31 AM

In the next 6-12 mos, I plan on taking apart my front end, and replacing/patching/sanding any paint imperfections or body dents and dings.. I was hoping to do this all myself and get it primed and ready for the booth and then take it in.

My 1970 has NEVER been cab/bed off for any work, but the frame is in good shape and there is not much I would really want to do with it in that way.

Is it foolish to do the paint and body work and NOT do the bare frame thing?

My major problem is no garage, so having a truck in big pieces in the yard somehow sounds like I will sleep on the couch (or the bench seat..)

lowriden58 · 04-17-2008, 02:45 AM

i say if your gonna do it.. do it right

ride the couch/ bench seat out brotha

samwise68 · 04-17-2008, 02:51 AM

In my opinion...if you think you can do a good enough job that YOU will be satisfied with?

Then yes. go for it man.

Whats the worse that can happen? One piece at a time, one day at a time. Put it back on the truck when you're done. Tahdah, no mess for the woman folk to be upset over, and you still make progress.

...hypothetically, of course.

But yeah, as long as the frame is ok, and you're ok with it...strip it and go for it man.

-Sam.

**Boog** · 04-17-2008, 05:40 AM

If you own this truck to enjoy driving it then , IMO, it doesn't make a lot of sense to fully detail the chassis. Clean it up and shine up the top side and enjoy it. If you intend to enter it in shows and such then a full detail job bottom to top is in order. It's strictly your choice. What makes you happy. As far as not having a garage to work in well, it does make things a bit more difficult. You can work a panel at a time. Remove a fender now, door later, etc. You may want to look into a portable carport type cover. I see some ads for under $500 for a lightweight garage. Take it down when done or use tarps to cover up the rig while apart. Seems like I remember a few threads in a shop or garage forum either here or on another site that had a lot of good ideas for guys like you who didn't have a garage much less a paint booth. There are ways of doing this if you really want to.

streetstar · 04-17-2008, 05:42 AM

Plenty of trucks and cars out there get painted without being pulled down to the frame---

It just depends on what level of restoration you are after. If your frame looks good, and you are pretty satisfied that everything else underneath is ok --- then yeah, its fine to paint it again in the stock color on the exterior only for a cosmetic restoration for a nice driver,

but if you wanna change colors - its gotta come apart IMO

04-17-2008, 02:31 AM	#1
chrislehr Engine n00b Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 1,031	the paint booth decision... In the next 6-12 mos, I plan on taking apart my front end, and replacing/patching/sanding any paint imperfections or body dents and dings.. I was hoping to do this all myself and get it primed and ready for the booth and then take it in. My 1970 has NEVER been cab/bed off for any work, but the frame is in good shape and there is not much I would really want to do with it in that way. Is it foolish to do the paint and body work and NOT do the bare frame thing? My major problem is no garage, so having a truck in big pieces in the yard somehow sounds like I will sleep on the couch (or the bench seat..)

04-17-2008, 02:45 AM	#2
lowriden58 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chesapeake Beach, MD Posts: 812	Re: the paint booth decision... i say if your gonna do it.. do it right ride the couch/ bench seat out brotha __________________ 71 cheyenne lwb 300rwhp best 1/4 time so far 12.8 @103 http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...en58/001-2.jpg

04-17-2008, 05:40 AM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,140	Re: the paint booth decision... If you own this truck to enjoy driving it then , IMO, it doesn't make a lot of sense to fully detail the chassis. Clean it up and shine up the top side and enjoy it. If you intend to enter it in shows and such then a full detail job bottom to top is in order. It's strictly your choice. What makes you happy. As far as not having a garage to work in well, it does make things a bit more difficult. You can work a panel at a time. Remove a fender now, door later, etc. You may want to look into a portable carport type cover. I see some ads for under $500 for a lightweight garage. Take it down when done or use tarps to cover up the rig while apart. Seems like I remember a few threads in a shop or garage forum either here or on another site that had a lot of good ideas for guys like you who didn't have a garage much less a paint booth. There are ways of doing this if you really want to. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

04-17-2008, 05:42 AM	#5
streetstar Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 2,396	Re: the paint booth decision... Plenty of trucks and cars out there get painted without being pulled down to the frame--- It just depends on what level of restoration you are after. If your frame looks good, and you are pretty satisfied that everything else underneath is ok --- then yeah, its fine to paint it again in the stock color on the exterior only for a cosmetic restoration for a nice driver, but if you wanna change colors - its gotta come apart IMO __________________ Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime



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