It’s Just A Pickup

[v502]

Wow I read through the whole thread amazing build with great detail your such a inspiration i always wanted to restore my truck and you make it look easy haha. But i might do it sometime soon. Keep it up

[Bruce88]

Packing it up and moving it out to the next stage of the build
Made the decision on a body and paint shop to do the work.

A day I’ve been looking forward to and a day that I’ve been dreading. The truck is as far along as I can take it in my small shop and want the body & paint done by a shop more knowledgeable and capable than me. Where every build is different there are plenty of things that are in play regarding how the final outcome will be (will this be a whore story or smiles all around experience). I lay down some of the things that I’ve been thinking about and what I’m trying to do so that all will workout well for this stage of the build.

What I’m looking for is not a low end body & paint nor a high end custom, somewhere in between. This is probably the hardest thing to get both the shop doing the work and me on the same page with expectations of the end job being the same. There are going to be flaws in fit and fair of panels and some that I would like the shop to address or at least make less obvious and others that I don’t want them to waist time and cost on.

As I went around to many body and paint shops looking for estimates and some one that wanted to do the work, I found that many are not set up to do this kind of work or have experience in doing it. It’s totally different than driving the truck in and saying paint it. The few shops that would give some kind of estimate never came out and looked at the project and always came in with that big but (you never know what your going to run into until we get it into the shop) and they would do it on an open ended by the hour job and their estimates was just a ball park figure (where they came up with their estimates I don’t know) I prefer not to have work performed in this manor (what I would consider a possible open ended money pit). I ran into estimates from Ill paint anything you bring in for 3k to 20k plus at custom shops.

As fare as I’m concerned this puts the responsibility on me to eliminate or know what repairs will need to be done and to what extent. One of the most common areas that hidden rework can be found on our trucks is the cab rocker area. It might be that it’s just the outer rocker panel that needs to be replaced or the rework could carry into the floor supports and floor panel (a big difference in time and cost). I made the repairs to this area on my truck myself as you can see in this build, but if I didn’t repair it my self I would want it figured into the estimates. It’s time consuming to evaluate the repairs needed and to what extent. But in my opinion I believe it’s my responsibility in a body off rebuild (figuring this out in body and paint in some shop is just going to cause problems in time and cost not to mention an unpleasant experience). With the build being completely apart and more than a casual look you should be able to inspect all the areas with some sanding and screwdriver poking to find the hidden rework areas.

I finally found one shop that would come out and look at the project and give an estimate plus worked out some logistics. The owner has three shops in the area and they deal with high end europium cars to customs, plus everything in between, of course their primary work is coalition repair. The owner has some custom cars and has just picked up a 54 GMC cab over that he’s going to build as a car hauler (yes I did let him know about this forum and that it might help in finding some information in building his car hauler).

Some of the logistics and how where working them out
The shop picked up my trailer with all the panels and transported to the shop.
The shop will break it down and send all the parts that need media blasting out.
The parts back from media blasting will get a coat of epoxy primer.
Ill go into the shop and apply the seam sealer (I like this part, it keeps me involved and helps reduce the cost)
Ill be applying the undercoat to the cab and fenders as they are ready in the shop (plan on using Herculiner bed liner for the undercoating)
The inside of the cab and all the hidden areas will receive the finish paint.
Cab and forward panels transported to my shop and I will load it on my frame for the best fit and fair that I can do. (Recommended by the shop to help prevent problems that could arise in going from my stand to the frame).
Cab and frame transported to the shop where the external body and paint will be done.
Ill be going into the shop and helping with the color sanding and polish (another part that keeps me involved and helps reduce cost).
When all the body and paint is done transported back to my shop for final assembly by me.

The final color has been picked, its GM 505 green. The final paint might be a waterborne paint if one can be found to match if not a more standard finish will be used (this is a stock color for this truck, used during the time it was built). I found a web site that has the crossover codes for different paint manufacturers (of course the paint color chip on the web site isn’t a good representation of the color). Took a screen shot of the web site and posted it below with the crossover numbers.



A hot topic by some is what is the cost? I normally try to stay away from cost of parts because there can be such a wide price that can be paid for the same item or work. There’s always the one that says you paid too much for that or you got a steal for that, otherwise I cheated the shop or got cheated. I prefer not to look at it in this manor and I came up with a budget for the work 5K to 8K for body & paint and 1K for media blasting. As it always seem to me as time goes on (or I grow older) the price of things go up past my expectations, this is one of those things I wish didn’t happen but it appears the way of things (smile). Posted below is the estimate for the work



My end goals for this part of the build is
A body and paint at least as good as the truck had from the factory and probably better (I don’t think that the factory body and paint was that good in that time and with the newer paints it isn’t not to much to expect)
This part of the build done in approximately 3 months
No unexpected costs cropping up (definitely causing a not so pleasant experience)
I want the body and paint shop to make a profit and not loose money or find it to aggravating so that they want to do this kind of work (there are few places that even consider doing this kind of work and we can’t afford to loose any)

Now that I’ve left you with a wall of text to read and no pictures I think you can get an idea of where I’m attempting to go in progressing this build and hope you find it a good read. Wish me good luck on achieving my goals.

I would have taken a picture of the parts being towed to the body and paint shop but know that it just wouldn’t be seen right by some with a ford truck towing the parts (smile).

As the body and paint progress Ill be taking some pictures and posting them hear along with progress reports and any thing I think might be interesting. It left my shop on Monday the 23 of Aug, expecting it back at body and paint shop after media blasting in two weeks.

Enjoy your build

[VA72C10]

nice information for all. Thanks for keeping us up to speed. Best wishes on good progress by the shop.

[68GMCCustom]

wow.....guess I'll be waiting a bit longer for paint!

[BigSky71]

Thank you for the detailed write up on the body shop hunt and selection process. Also congratulations on finding a shop that will let you do some of the work during the process, that imo is a tall order.

I look forward to the updates!

Fwiw, in my corner of NW Montana I can think of only a few "one man body shops" that would even consider the type of arrangement you have worked out. I hope all goes smoothly and can't wait to see your truck in paint.

[Bruce88]

Not a lot of difference that I can tell
The teardown continues and building a list of parts I need to order

As I remove all the inner parts from the old 72 doors, I found that the previous owner had tried to covert the inner panel to a 67-71 metal door panel and armrest from some other vehicle. I also have some doors from a 70 that I picked up a number of years ago for parts (the inner side of the door shell was hacked up real bad and the outer skin had many holes).

I’m going to put the 4 door shells up in the parts section for free to any one in my area that wants to pick them up and wants to build their welding and metal working skills. They definitely need work to bring them back from the recycle scrap metal but it can be done and I think the price is right (free) (smile). Hears the link if your interested http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=419593

The only difference that I found between the 67-71 door shells and the 72 door shell is the screw up by the vent window and how the inside panel is attached to the door. The internal parts have some differences manly relating to the inside panel that is being used.

After disassembling 4 doors I found it an advantage in having some special tools that make the job easer. An impact gun with a #3 phillips tip makes it easy to remove the tight screws, just lean into it to seat the tip, a short blast and the screws will loosen up with out stripping the head. And the infamous door handle removal tool. Not to say it can’t be done with out them it’s just less frustrating, time consuming and help prevent damaged screw heads that would need to be drilled out.



Planning on making the inside door panel a flat 67-71 stile door panel with a custom cover that will match my seats material. Some of the internal parts will have to be replaced to make it look right and others rebuilt.

My vent window frame is rusted thru in some spots and will be rebuilding the 70 door vent window. Found a good (how to) on this forum for rebuilding the vent window (Hears the link if your interested) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=351471

All the 67-72 vent window assemblies can be used in any of the doors for those years. Some differences that can be found, clear or tinted glass, painted or chromed frames, and different handles for the vent window (67 handle attached to the window frame and 68-72 handle attached thru a hole in the glass and possibly two different style handles).

Latch control differences, the 68-71 are shorter than the 72 and are interchangeable depending on what door panel you’re using. The 67 I’m not sure what the difference is (possibly the handle used). Side note, all the Latch Controls that I have, have broken return springs (another item that Ill need to order).



Window regulator differences, the 67-71 are shorter than the 72 and are interchangeable depending on what door panel you’re using.



All the rest of the door internal parts appear to be the same on the 67-72 truck models.

Generated a door panel design for the cover over the 67-71 steel panels that I have. Took the design down to the upholstery shop to be made out of the same material as the seats (the shop said no problem to make the door panels). The picture below is not a match to the fabric on the seats just a pattern design, if your interested what the material will look like see (post #25) on this build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318544 . Door panels should be back in a few weeks.



I’m looking forward to the interior being installed, but probably not my cat she seams to like the seats as a perfect place for a nap (smile). Of course this will be some time down the road after body and paint.

Body and paint update, parts are expected back in the shop on 3 Sep from media blasting, it’s moving forward

Enjoy your build

[VA72C10]

Great info as usual....glad the body work seems to be moving along...hope the parts come back good and progress keeps up!

[msgross]

1968 Dark Green #505... mine was repainted once though... I'm thinking of going with 1969 Fathom Green though.

[glimmertwin01]

nice job as always Bruce...

[mcbassin]

Thanks for the detailed shop decision process. This is something that many of us have never been through or understand. Love all the pictures and descriptions of all the parts. Your truck will be show quality when done, thanks for being modest about it (smile)

[Bruce88]

Best laid plans of mice and men
O did I mention mother natures input too (smile)

The metal is back in the body and paint shop from the media blaster, with about a week delay in finding a weather window to keep it out of the rain (it’s that time of year around hear where the weather plays it’s part in planning).

This is where most of the custom body and paint shops start with a body off project to find all the cancer and prior repairs. Then it will be going into epoxy primer to prevent flash rust and creating any additional rust problems during the time it will be worked on.

All the prior inspection and rework in cutting out and replacing all the rusted metal is paying off. All the parts look to be in good shape no unexpected rework was found by me. Yes there’s plenty of small dings/dents that will need to be addressed but all in all it looks pretty good.

In the last picture you might notice that some of my parts are hanging out with a 53 – 55 Corvette body in the shop. It’s always nice to see that the shop has a wide diversity in handling the standard rework to handling the more unusual (smile)









I haven’t been standing around just praying to the body and paint gods hoping all will work out good. OK there was a week off for a break, R & R (smile). Been working on the internal door parts, rebuilding and reconditioning and will post that progress later.

Enjoy your build

[msgross]

I love freshly blasted metal... like new again.

[VA72C10]

looks to all be in excellent condition....look forward to the next progress update

[dmcnga]

Just finished my restoration...Aren't rocker panels fun? Your truck is going to look great - congratulations! I put my '72 C-10 back to all stock, including rebuilding the original L6 250CI engine.

Can't wait to see yours when it is done!

[Bruce88]

Another step forward, it’s moving on
Quick update on the body and paint

The primer been applied and tomorrow I’m going down to do the seam sealing. Looks pretty good in the primer even with none of the body filler or dent pulling done. At least it’s all one color now (smile).







Enjoy your build

[v502]

Looking good. What color are painting the truck?

[Bruce88]

Originally Posted by v502

Looking good. What color are painting the truck?

GM 505 Dark Green, A stock fleet color for this year truck

[VA72C10]

looks AWESOME!!!!

[mcbassin]

Great progress! It's gonna be so nice!

[my67chevytruck]

looking good Bruce!

[splehigh]

Looking good!!!

[chevytruckluver]

Looking good Bruce
Is that an epoxy primer/sealer?

[travlinman]

big side mirrors and cab lights... u going to keep them ?

[Bruce88]

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

Looking good Bruce
Is that an epoxy primer/sealer?

Yes it’s a epoxy primer/sealer I don’t know what brand, it’s one the body shop uses. Probably a commercial product not available to the public. I just spent 6 hours down at the shop seam sealing and was using a two part commercial seam sealer that I did not recognize by name and said it was not for sale to the public.

Originally Posted by travlinman

big side mirrors and cab lights... u going to keep them ?

You’re going to have to ask msgross it’s his truck in the picture (smile). It does have the GM 505 dark green paint color on it that I will be using on my truck.

[70LonghornCST]

Very nice work. Very motivating.