1974 C20 Soon to become a project...

[Super_Dave]

Well, it's been a while since the last post.

The old guys doing the body and paint, had to pull back for a while. The younger one (74) was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It took about 6 weeks for the final diagnosis. Since then, it's been radiation 5 days a week for two months. There is about a month to go. During that time, they, understandably, took time away from everything.

About a week ago, they contacted me and said they wanted to get back on the project. It would be good therapy for Larry. So I gave the go-ahead, as long as it doesn't have a negative impact on Larry's treatment and healing process.

I have a wedding to attend in Bellingham, Washington this weekend. When I return, I will be making the 90 mile drive to deliver the modified gas tank, 1990 Blazer Electric Mirrors and a few other parts.

I am at a standstill on rebuilding the wing-window assemblies. I have them disassembled and starting to clean them up. . . but it's a toss-up to spend the time making them right or buying a good set of used assemblies and rebuilding them instead. Something hit the glass frame on the driver side and dented it pretty good. I got it straightened pretty good but the black snap on trim piece was also dented and I can't find any replacement ones. I have a lead on a clean set of wing frame assemblies for a good price, but really need the long door braces, especially for the driver side.

Also have a lead on a full set of rebuilt assemblies including new rubber and felt. . . $250-$300. So, in the interest of time and chasing parts, I might have to pull the trigger. All the rubber and felt for a rebuild is right around $100. Add another $30 for rivets and new springs, washers, etc. Then I would still need the door braces and the driver side black snap-on metal trim piece. . . I could also spend another $60 for the clean set of wing frames black trim, which pencils out at around $200 and still needing the brace.

LMC wants $400 for two wing assemblies without braces. . . and they have been out of stock on one or both for months. So, $250-$300 for a complete set of rebuilt assemblies. . . starts to sound pretty good.

[Super_Dave]

I have wing window assemblies in hand. Another member, Zack Seff, had started a business rebuilding OEM assemblies but, after some "interesting" interactions with other members, rolled up his tent.

That's a crying shame too, because there are precious few out there that can, or will, rehab OEM wing window assemblies for a reasonable price. That leaves people to rehab their own, with questionable results - while complaining about how hard it is and how long it took - or going after-market Chinese, which cost you your left nut for Chinese quality and has all kinds of fitment issues - which also gets complained about.

So why anyone would harangue an American for rehabbing OEM product and charging a VERY reasonable price. . . boggles my mind.

Now: on to my wing window assemblies.

I received them yesterday afternoon. I had received advance photos of the completed assemblies and was very anxious to see them firsthand.

I opened the box and peeled away the ample bubble wrap. I was stunned: Zack's work is nothing short of amazing! These photos DO NOT do them justice.

All the new hardware, frames and door supports are powder-coated to perfection. The rubber is soft and supple and all the rivets looked just like the factory had done them, because he uses the proper equipment to set them.

I can say unabashedly, that these wing window assemblies put the Factory OEM to shame. They are by far, one of the best things that will be on my truck when it's done. It was money well spent and DIDN'T cost an arm and a leg.

THANK YOU ZACK for being willing to do this for my build. If I ever have need again (and it looks like I will) I am calling you, my friend!

[Super_Dave]

The truck now has the rear mounted gas tank installed and gas lines are being run. The filler neck will be coming out the back, behind a Camaro flip down license plate holder on the new OEM bumper.

All the bodywork is done; primed and blocked and ready for black base coat. My friends are out Tuna fishing and we will be looking at sometime mid-August to squirt color and clear.

I started a thread in the Paint section where we thoroughly thrashed the best method to "match" the black on the new parts I purchased, with the black that was going on the cab, doors and fenders.

Since trying to "match" the black would yield questionable results even with the best efforts, the consensus was to scuff the clear coat on the already painted parts I bought, with 800 grit, and lay down a couple coats of black base. Then lay two or three coats of black base on the cab, doors and fenders. Follow that with several coats of clear and buff.

During this discussion, I was referred to SPI products. I called the owner, Barry, and he spent at least 30 minutes politely educating me on the subtle in's and out's of painting and what constitutes a good quality paint verses an expensive paint.

I was initially given the choice between OMNI at $179/gallon and Deltorn at $728/gallon. After talking to Barry, and having a much clearer picture of what constitutes "quality" in making paint, I asked him to give me a recommended shopping list of products to re-coat the whole truck in black base and clear it. Within 10 minutes, Barry had emailed me the list and pricing: $547 for EVERYTHING!

Now, price plays a role, but more importantly, the quality and real-world applications are what sold me. The Pebble Beach Concourse winner used the Black base and clear from SPI. Each month (or as often as they are held), as many as 40-50+ vehicles at the worlds best high-end auctions have used SPI's products. . . many cars that sell well into the six figures.

So, if it's good enough for these people, its good enough for me. Barry has turned the paint world on its head, by supplying superior product at value pricing.

Now, I am REAL excited to get this project on its final leg home to completion, with new paint and clear all around. I will be driving the 90 miles to the shop on Thursday next week, to document the gas tank and get before paint photos and deliver my AMAZING wing window assemblies.

I hope to post several updates a week from now, with photos, that show what all has been done over the past few months.

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https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768525

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[cal30_sniper]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

I have wing window assemblies in hand. Another member, Zack Seff, had started a business rebuilding OEM assemblies but, after some "interesting" interactions with other members, rolled up his tent.

Those vent windows look great. I'd love to know where he gets quality rubber from. The 89-91 design has a much improved vent window seal, but when I rebuilt mine, the new rubber I ordered was garbage. I ended up moisturizing and re-using the original seals, because the reproductions just couldn't be made to fit. The rubber he used in yours looks much better than what I had.