Project "Jezebel"

[67cheby]

nice

[sgaylord]

While working the never ending job of blocking I got to thinking that maybe there may be some among us who dont really know how much work this is. Considering that the economy we have today and money running tight that some could take on this job instead of letting their projects sit waiting to save up the cash.

The cost of a paint job breaks down to Labor and paint supplies. There is not much we can do about supplies except shop around but there is much that can be done to reduce the amount of labor you are paying for. If you prep the project correctly using the correct process and supplies (check with your painter) you should be able to trim down some of the cost.

Here is the process I am following on Jezebel before I put down her final coat of shiny paint. Let me say now that I'm not a professional body man. I learned this over the years as a hobby after taking Auto Body Tech in high school many moons ago. Professionals out there, if I say something out of line here please correct in a nice way....

Starting where I am in the process (look at previous posts for more detail) you can see that

1. The hood has been bodyworked.

1. All bare metal has been prepped with etch primer (some use epoxy).

1. 2k Urethane high build primer surfacer has been applied to help fill in sand scratches.

Good thing to know. Check the paint system you are using. I'm using Martin Senior products with etch primer. That system calls for all bodywork (bondo) to be applied to bare metal BEFORE etch primer.

The first thing I do is line the body lines with masking tape. Ever wonder how those Street Rod guys get those laser strait crisp body lines? This is it. I started by Identifying where the body line in the hood aligned with it's counter part on the fender. Then I removed the hood and finished the taping. This will allow you to look down that edge when it's on the truck and it will make your body panels appear to be perfectly strait.



The black you see here is dry guide coat. This will allow me to see where the low spots are in the primer and allow me to sand the surface flat.



Sand with the largest block you can use for the task until the guide coat disappears. Can you see the dark spots on the center and left side of this pic? That means I need to keep sanding until I either find a high spot or metal.



Low spot gone. Now continue on there are many more....



Keep sanding all the way up to the tape edge. The tape will act as a guide to keep you from sanding over the edge you are creating. Finish all the way around the hood then remove the tape. Lay down a new line of tape, but this time move it to the other side of the body line where you just sanded. This will make that line sharp!



After you are done with that you have completely sanded your hood or whatever panel you are working on. If you still have low spots you will need to apply another coat of 2k high build to those areas. If you have bare metal where you sanded through you will need to apply etch primer to those areas. See next post for pics.


This takes a lot of time to do but the results are worth it.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[67cheby]

great tips ! thanks for sharing !

[sgaylord]

Pics of etch and 2k high build applied for next round of blocking...

Just after blocking and before covering bare metal with etch.



Etch applied to bare metal. Apply couple coats 1-2 mils at least



More etch



2k Urethane high build



More 2k. You can start to see the crisp body lines starting to form.

[sgaylord]

More goodies... Got my new bed this week. Everything is new, steel bed floor, bed sides, tubs, tailgate, front bed panel, everything.

I'm really satisfied with the quality of the parts. All seem to be made of the right gauge sheetmetal.

[sgaylord]

By looking at this build you can tell I cant leave things well enough alone. I decided to change my plans for my gas tank and move to a bed fill version of the Boyd's Welding tank. My earlier plans were to do a stake pocket gas fill because my other bed had a spray in bedliner and didn't want to deal with the mess of stripping the old bedliner to install the bed filler.

Here are some custom touches to the new bed floor for the fuel filler.

Marked the location for the filler using the existing tank. I need to order a new tank with the filler centered between the frame rails.




Cut the opening for the patch that will level out the location for the filler.




Tacked in the patch




Welds ground down and etch sprayed.



Final

[jmedero]

Wow super clean. Was the other tank a side fill?
Posted via Mobile Device

[sgaylord]

Thanks Juan. the tank I was going to use is a side fill I ordered from Boyd's Welding a wile back during a group buy.

[sduckworth13]

Excellent work, I just happened to look at this build again. Its been over a year and a half since the last time. This post is one that has stuck with me. I remember looking at it because, I thought to myself at the time I first read it " wow this guy tore this perfect looking truck apart, because the previous owner just painted over everything and hid it". Now everytime I look at a truck, I think of this particular post which I happen to run across again today. It just stuck with me and the things that I needed to watch out for when I was looking for a truck to buy. Very nice thread to read and learn from.

[sgaylord]

sduckworth13
Re: Project "Jezebel"
Excellent work, I just happened to look at this build again. Its been over a year and a half since the last time. This post is one that has stuck with me. I remember looking at it because, I thought to myself at the time I first read it " wow this guy tore this perfect looking truck apart, because the previous owner just painted over everything and hid it". Now everytime I look at a truck, I think of this particular post which I happen to run across again today. It just stuck with me and the things that I needed to watch out for when I was looking for a truck to buy. Very nice thread to read and learn from.

Scott believe me I do the same thing...

[sgaylord]

Pics of the Boyd's side fill tank I am replacing with a bed fill.













Steve

[bigguy69]

lookin good

[sourkraut]

Steve are you going to sell your tank from boyds? Might be interested if so. Bed look very nice and clean good work.

[sgaylord]

Hi John, yes it is for sale. Initially I was going to save it for my 55 but another board member approached me about selling it. If he backs out I will send you a PM. Sound fair?

Steve

[sgaylord]

Today's updates.

Pulled the bed floor and preped the underside with 180 grit, sprayed all bare metal with etch primer and then a nice thick coat of Al's Liner. I continue to be impressed with that stuff.

I'm going to paint the inside of the bed so this should be the last of the bedliner spraying for Jezebel.

Steve

[sourkraut]

Originally Posted by sgaylord

Hi John, yes it is for sale. Initially I was going to save it for my 55 but another board member approached me about selling it. If he backs out I will send you a PM. Sound fair?

Steve

Sounds great.

[67cheby]

nice progress ! the filler mod on this bedfloor looks perfect !

[mcbassin]

Great work on the bed and bodywork Steve.!

[Low Elco]

Looks fan-damn-tastic! That Al's is fun stuff, but a party to get on, ain't it? Great work, man.

[sgaylord]

More goodies arrived today.

New Champion 4 Core polished aluminum radiator with dual fans...




AAW Highway 21 kit.


Question for you guys. I'm converting to the 72 style cable operated gas pedal. I installed the LFD 72 gas pedal conversion plate and noticed that the the stock steel bracket that holds the pedal in place is huge. Do I really need it in stock form for some reason or can I just cut it down to just the part that holds the gas pedal bar in place? Cut it just above the top two screws that hold it in place.

Here is a pic of what I am talking about.



My dog Waya checking things out...

[cubber]

Wow. Your thread is impressive. I think its cool that you made what you wanted from what you had. Thanks, also, for checkin out my build. However, it might disturb you somewhat to know that my wife went to Texas A&M.
I look forward to the rest of your build. Lots of good info.

[sgaylord]

cubber
Re: Project "Jezebel"
Wow. Your thread is impressive. I think its cool that you made what you wanted from what you had. Thanks, also, for checkin out my build. However, it might disturb you somewhat to know that my wife went to Texas A&M.
I look forward to the rest of your build. Lots of good info.

lol, Jonny Football deserved the Heisman. That kid it going places. Thanks for the positive comments on the build. Ill keep an eye on yours as well.

Steve

[Katrina/10]

[QUOTE=sgaylord;5765988]More goodies arrived today.

Question for you guys. I'm converting to the 72 style cable operated gas pedal. I installed the LFD 72 gas pedal conversion plate and noticed that the the stock steel bracket that holds the pedal in place is huge. Do I really need it in stock form for some reason or can I just cut it down to just the part that holds the gas pedal bar in place? Cut it just above the top two screws that hold it in place.

Here is a pic of what I am talking about.
Attachment 1028209

I had the same idea, don't know why that bracket is so huge, so I cut all the extra metal off and just left a triangle. Works fine, much less obstruction and clutter without it.

[sgaylord]

[quote]Katrina/10
Re: Project "Jezebel"

Originally Posted by sgaylord

More goodies arrived today.

Question for you guys. I'm converting to the 72 style cable operated gas pedal. I installed the LFD 72 gas pedal conversion plate and noticed that the the stock steel bracket that holds the pedal in place is huge. Do I really need it in stock form for some reason or can I just cut it down to just the part that holds the gas pedal bar in place? Cut it just above the top two screws that hold it in place.

Here is a pic of what I am talking about.
Attachment 1028209

I had the same idea, don't know why that bracket is so huge, so I cut all the extra metal off and just left a triangle. Works fine, much less obstruction and clutter without it.

I think Im gonna do the same. Thanks for the reply

[sgaylord]

A couple more updates for today.

The bad thing about a new bed (something I didn't think of) is the spot welds that need filling and there are more than just a few. 125 to be exact!


Spotwelds all ground down prepped for filler.


Filler applied.


Sanded and etch primed.