Project "Financial Burden": 1968 SWB C10

[cj847]

wow. Nice job. I think the microfiber towel I use to wash my truck is rougher than 8000 grit.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Now you've done it... Rg

Yep, I couldn't help myself. I had to give it a try.

Originally Posted by KMC3420

Why do you have to set the bar that high? Just kidding. Looks excellent, matches the theme of the build! Heat wave in Arkansas is keeping me spray gun shy. Humidity at 50% or greater.

Ha! Thanks! I've been shooting primer very early in the morning to try and beat the heat but the humidity has still been around 60%. Hopefully we'll get some relief in August and September.

Originally Posted by cj847

wow. Nice job. I think the microfiber towel I use to wash my truck is rougher than 8000 grit.

You're probably right! That 8000 paper is really neat; it even has an integral foam interface pad. That system was designed for the collision industry to reduce the amount of time spent buffing. It only took a few quick passes with the polish. I really like that.

[raggedjim]

Could you give some details on the paint booth you built? I hope to do something similar when the time comes.

Thanks, Rg

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Could you give some details on the paint booth you built? I hope to do something similar when the time comes.

Thanks, Rg

Here's a quick list of the basic components for my paint booth. I used 1" electrical conduit for the main tubing. I like it because it's strong enough to hang parts off of unlike PVC based setups. Currently my booth is 10' x 10' x 7.5' tall.

To join all the tubing I used safety railing fittings like this.
https://www.globalindustrial.com/c/s...PG-78243-42979

The only drawback is that 1" conduit has a smaller outside diameter compared to 1" pipe. So I made some press-on aluminum sleeves to upsize the end of the conduit to work with these fittings.

For the plastic wrap I use this for the roof.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-06723-400-...75&sr=1-1&th=1

and this for the sides.
https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Painte...75&sr=1-5&th=1

I splurged a bit and decided to use proper paint booth flooring from Pigmat. I use a vacuum to clean it up after each use. It's really helped keep the debris down inside the booth and it keeps you from tracking dust in and out.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Pig-Absor...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I just use 4 garage fans to push air into the booth through standard paint booth intake filters. This keeps the booth pressurized so dust and dirt can't enter.
https://www.amazon.com/wioboy-Paint-...%2C127&sr=8-17

and then I built a frame holder to allow air to exit through standard 20"x20" paint booth filters.
https://www.amazon.com/wioboy-Exhaus...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Lastly a zipper allows for easy entry and exit through one of the walls.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0022...9-f263eebf9e13

It's not a super cheap budget setup, but it's really helped improve my paint quality and it keeps all the overspray contained very well.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

The weather cooled off a bit this weekend. I was able to get the fenders knocked out. Two more steps closer...

[KMC3420]

The results are impressive. Paint is laying down very well from my vantage point. Won’t be long and you can final assemble all those beautiful parts.

[raggedjim]

Thanks for the list on the paint booth. I can tell it is helping by the finish of your parts.

Rg

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

The results are impressive. Paint is laying down very well from my vantage point. Won’t be long and you can final assemble all those beautiful parts.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to putting it all back together, but also nervous about how careful I'll need to be with these finished parts.

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Thanks for the list on the paint booth. I can tell it is helping by the finish of your parts.

No problem.

I finished up the cowl panel and grill. I'm staying true to the 68 model year with the non-body colored grill, but changing it up a bit from the typical white grill you mostly see with this color. If you've followed along you've already seen I've done the same black treatment on the bumpers and other external parts. The grill is just a little flatter finish than the semi-gloss/satin I've used elsewhere.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I decided to knock out the bed floor given the way I have the parts stored. It just needed a little body work around my gas tank filler; otherwise just scuff and shoot. It kind of feels like cheating to have a bed floor this flat with so little effort, glad they make a good reproduction. Now I have to flip it over to Raptor line the bottom side.

[SRU1436]

Wow, impressive.

[KMC3420]

Looks great. Better than off the assembly line for sure. Are you starting out with 2 tack coats of paint and then 2 wet coats? It’s laying really smooth.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

Looks great. Better than off the assembly line for sure. Are you starting out with 2 tack coats of paint and then 2 wet coats? It’s laying really smooth.

Thanks! The first coat of clear I move just a little faster than normal, but everything else I keep the same regardless if its sealer, base coat or clear. I also don't sweat about full coverage or really making it look shiny. I just want a nice sticky base for the next two coats. The second coat I go a little slower than the first and keep the gun distance close to the panel (4-5 inches for my gun). The final coat I do just like the second, but I give it a little more flash time before starting to let the solvent escape from that heavier second coat.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I was able to finally finish up the doors today. There is so much work in getting them dialed in including all the seam sealer; I'd recommend 3M 08528. It has just the right amount of "flow", but not so much that it would run off of anything. You can tool it with an acid brush or a small paddle and it will melt in for a nice smooth finish. 3M has some great YouTube videos of best practices. Bed sides are next...

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Forgot to mention I also finished the bottom of the bed in Raptor liner.

[KMC3420]

Moving right along, and temps/humidity are dropping. I can see you rolling around in this thing before long. Keep at it. Excellent work.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

You're right, trying to keep moving while the weather is nice. I feel like I'm running a body shop on the weekends, but it's fun. I knocked out both of the bedsides and now I'm tackling the hood. I've been a bit spoiled working with new sheet metal, my hood is going to need a lot of work to get it smooth. I'm guessing it's going to be the hardest panel on the truck.

[KevinK7]

Wow, you're doing an amazing job with the paint. A major milestone for sure

[yuccales]

Going to be beautiful for sure! Your attention to detail is fantastic, right down to the "square peg in a round hole" shifter boot adapter.

[KMC3420]

Hope 2026 is off to a good start for you!! Question on the wiring and your battery location. I didnt see your final battery hookup, but I have purchased the same battery box and trying to plan ahead the best I can. I have purchased the pass through bulkhead connectors to go through the frame: Connectors Also curious where you brought your power in. I see your firewall distribution block, but also one in your glovebox I think. If you care to share any details on that, I would appreciate it. You have done a great job at hiding wires..almost too good.

[geunther]

Excellent work on the whole truck. As small of components as they are considering the project, I must say I love the work on the fuel fill and the exhaust reliefs.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

Hope 2026 is off to a good start for you!! Question on the wiring and your battery location. I didnt see your final battery hookup, but I have purchased the same battery box and trying to plan ahead the best I can. I have purchased the pass through bulkhead connectors to go through the frame: Connectors Also curious where you brought your power in. I see your firewall distribution block, but also one in your glovebox I think. If you care to share any details on that, I would appreciate it. You have done a great job at hiding wires..almost too good.

Hi KMC3420, 2026 is going well. I'm looking forward to spring time to get back into painting. I've included some images that I took during disassembly, they aren't the best, but should help with your question. For the battery connections, I terminated all the required Holley EFI wires as well as the the fuel pump and electric fans directly at the battery. I looped the battery positive and fan wiring over the frame rail just behind the cab mount and into the inside of the frame rail. The rest of the battery wiring runs along the top of the passenger side frame rail, through a grommet in the passenger side firewall and into the glove box to support the Holley EFI. The battery positive cable goes to the large stud on the starter from there it connects to two mega fuses that were part of the American Autowire kit near the front of the passenger side frame rail (just before the last cross member). The mega fuse block splits power between the alternator and the main supply to the cab both of which route along the backside of the front frame cross member. I'm a big fan of the Mag Daddy cable tie mount if you can't find a mounting hole. When there is a mounting hole, I prefer the HellermannTyton cable tie mounts you can get through Waytek. The power to the fuel pump controller and AC controller in the glove box are provided from the under dash auxiliary circuits in the American Autowire kit. All the Holley EFI connections go straight to the battery as mentioned before. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

...

[Old_Truck_Fan]

Originally Posted by geunther

Excellent work on the whole truck. As small of components as they are considering the project, I must say I love the work on the fuel fill and the exhaust reliefs.

Thanks geunther for noticing the details. I enjoyed getting creative on both of those aspects.

[KMC3420]

Yessir, thanks for taking the time to write it up. The battery in the back truly does clean up the under hood wiring. Gives a clean look, but all your wiring is easily accessible. I like it. I will have to look up the cable tie mounts. Come on spring!! Plenty of detailed info that I can use as a guide. Again, truly appreciate it.

[Old_Truck_Fan]

I needed a way to paint my cab floor and decided to make a variation of the typical "tip and flip" cab dolly. I wanted something that I could break down easily and would not take up a bunch of room when stored. I used 1.5" roll cage tubing and associated joints. It bolts to the existing cab mount locations, breaks down in 4 pieces, and I use my engine hoist to flip it over for a one man operation.