69 Custom 30 wrecker restoration

[bobs409]

First photo shows the box floor all cleaned up and ready for POR. I never thought this box would get done! Many hours and a few wire brushes get the floor to this stage. Second photo shows the POR paint just put on. Later, I top coated with their Tie coat primer. (last photo)

[bobs409]

The box is ready for some paint! It’s time to remove it one last time so I can paint the front & back of cab.

[bobs409]

I decided to break the painting down into smaller jobs so the inside of the box area was sprayed on the first day as seen in the first photo. A sealer was sprayed on, then 3 coats of acrylic enamel. This will be done to all panels. The next day, a seal coat and paint for the outside of the box shown in the 2nd & 3rd photos. I also did some smaller parts as seen in photos #4 & #5. I’m really glad I did this in 2 steps as it was a lot more work than it looks.

[bobs409]

A few days later after getting the cab prepped, it’s back to more painting…

[bobs409]

The day after the cab was done it was time to spray the hood, fenders, cowl panel and doors. And here are the parts just painted in the first photo.

I had to move the truck out of the way to spray those parts so here it is in the second photo parked out front with a freshly painted cab. I left it bake in the sun for a while.

[bobs409]

A few days later, it was time to get my hands wet with lots of sanding and buffing. I will wet sand all panels out to 2000 grit, then polish with Mequiars products. Depending on the amount of orange peel, it can go from 1200 to 1500 and then to 2000. On smoother surfaces I start with the 1500. Photo #1 & #2 show one of the doors and fenders all done with the emblems and marker light installed. Takes a lot of time but worth it wouldn’t you say?

After polishing out the back of cab area, I installed the box back on the frame. Now it’s starting to look like something. (photo #3)

Check out those “fly swatter” mirrors! Not many people like these but I think they make the truck look just right! This is just how the general built it. The way these swing way out there make them perfect for a tow truck.

[bobs409]

At this time, I was able to put a lot of the truck back together which is the fun part. Front bumper pads installed, front grill assembly, hood hinges, door mirrors and tail lights.

Special note: this paint color is not very photogenic! In bright sun or if the flash goes off, it makes the paint in the pictures look kind of pink. In reality, everything is a deep orange color like the fender shot above. Oh yeah, about that paint color…

I’m quite convinced that GM was color blind in ’69. They call this paint color red and the interior red as well. In my opinion, this is a darker shade of hugger orange and the interior is maroon! (Unless it’s my eyes that have gone bad and not GM)


So this catches up to about where I am today. I have installed many smaller parts and I am working on the upright, boom and winch. Once those are painted, it’s just a matter of reassembling the rest. The end is very close now…