Front end tear down Rebuild progress!

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

I would not approve of that! LOL

That's too easy...ehh Bob, and not clean enough ehhh! Gots to be sparkely!

[shifty]

if you can't eat off of it, it's not worth using

(cool thread, btw, i definitely approve of your way of doing business on cleanup!)

[ChevyDude]

Thanks Shifty! If I am going to go through all the trouble of rebuilding a 36 year old 1971 front end, that is going to go on my next truck, I'm going to clean it up and do it to the best of my ability. That's just the way I'm wired.

Thanks again!

Alex

[glock35ipsc]

Hey Alex, I was just wondering. Are you going to use either of these as kind of a "shop truck" so to speak? IIRC, this one will have a wood bed, so I doubt you would spray it. But you do need a bad ass shop truck!

[shifty]

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

Thanks Shifty! If I am going to go through all the trouble of rebuilding a 36 year old 1971 front end, that is going to go on my next truck, I'm going to clean it up and do it to the best of my ability. That's just the way I'm wired.

you're not the only one - i ended up swapping this late model engine into mine - while the front clip was off, i couldn't help but tear down all of the steering components, upgrade everything from end to end, blast, sand and repaint everything .... added a week onto my project, but ... it's the "right way" and it will pay off with another 40 years of trouble free service, i hope

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

Process has been:
1) oven cleaner soak
2) Scrape off as much as I can
3)Hot Tank
4) Navel Jelly Neutralizer
5) Extra Hot cycle in the dishwasher

I might be able to get away with alot in a dry climate but the dishwasher bit? Mrs. Zonaman would grind me into a fine powder over that stunt!

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by shifty

added a week onto my project, but ... it's the "right way" and it will pay off with another 40 years of trouble free service, i hope

These projects take years. Lil Red took 4 years. So if going through the "OverKill" steps takes a few extra hours....I could care m*ther F ing less. This brand new rebuilt 36 year old front end is going to have a $ Grand $ in it when I'm finished and if doing what I gotta do and what was available to me, to get it clean to paint is overkill, oh well. Mister pinkie can do his rebuild the way he wants and I won't say a word. JMHO. Thanks again Shifty!

Alex

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by Zonaman

I might be able to get away with alot in a dry climate but the dishwasher bit? Mrs. Zonaman would grind me into a fine powder over that stunt!

LOL!!!! You know what...the A arms had nothing more on them than 1 day dried Navel Jelly, there was no oil or dirt cause they were in the hot tank before. I cleaned the small bit of crap that was left in the dishwasher out after the cycle. And I gots to say, it really got everything off and super clean. Pressure washer also did a great job on the crossmember, I could have done that with the A arms....but I was watching a hockey game while the parts were cleaning in the dishwasher!!! My wife is cool and nothing got ruined. LOL!!!

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Hey Alex, I was just wondering. Are you going to use either of these as kind of a "shop truck" so to speak? IIRC, this one will have a wood bed, so I doubt you would spray it. But you do need a bad ass shop truck!

Yes I am. Both trucks will live at the shop. Can't spray Lil' Red's bed cause it is the most incredible "undented" unmarked" "no holes" steel bed floor I have ever seen. The 68/67 is going to be an oak wood fleet bed (already have it here) ...so can't spray that....But yes they will be GatorHyde Shop Trucks...maybe logo's on the doors??? Haven't decided yet. With Lil' Red here at the shop, almost every customer that visits comments "who's is that" or "Wow, what year is that" or "Did you build that"? Which I answer.."No GM and Chevrolet did I just made it new again"! LOL!


OK....Just sanded down the Rust Bullet brushed piece and used a foam brush this morning. Foam brush is better, but the paint is so thick that if you go over any that you just painted it's doesn't lay so smooth. Talked with the RB rep yesterday and he said add an oz. of Zylene. I think I will try that.

Both of these were with a foam brush. Second pic is top that was brushed first. It will be fine...little sanding and shoot the RB BlackShell.

[glock35ipsc]

Awesome, lookin good!!!

[67 cst swb]

Nice job Alex... keep up the "overkill"... Some of us are just that way...
Time spend doing "your own work" is priceless...

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

Nice job Alex... keep up the "overkill"... Some of us are just that way...
Time spend doing "your own work" is priceless...

Thank you! It's just the way I have to do what I gotta do.

[powell72]

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

Yes I am. Both trucks will live at the shop. Can't spray Lil' Red's bed cause it is the most incredible "undented" unmarked" "no holes" steel bed floor I have ever seen.

Amen, I thought mine was nice 'til I saw yours!

Nice job on the front end, there's nothing wrong with being picky. I'm eagerly anticipating you finding a truck for that front end, I know it'll be a clean one.

[ChevyDude]

I am definately on the prowl!

[BigTruckDriver]

POR 15 seems to apply in a real simple process. Spray it on for flat black, brush it on for glossy ,no streaks. Wont chip with a hammer.

[ChevyDude]

Por is Not UV stable. I wanted to try something different.

[albertarose]

nice pic ..that was funny about the dishwasher!.. you had me goin there for a second lol by the way whats your ball joints cost where yall are at ? ..thanks leon

Originally Posted by Zonaman

I just chizzled off the crud, replaced the bushings, ball joints, etc. and off I went. But you can get away with that kind of stuff in dry Arizona!

[bayer20]

Sorry Alex for being so blunt. I understand the passion one has for their hobby. It is just that Im in the classic car biz and have about a parking lot full of cars to worry about and if I spend the same amount of time I'd go broke in two months. You can restore a car in 3 months or 4 years it just depends on the induvidual on how long you want to make your List, it can go on for ever, we all know that.
Brian

[albertarose]

di i mention try spray on boxliner for frame coating and other applications ..I havnt tryed it but want to ..the color selection is endless

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

Por is Not UV stable. I wanted to try something different.

[ChevyDude]

Back at it again prior to spraying beliners today (my work or job). So I quickly sanded/scuffed the A arms just a bit to remove any and all brush strokes and then with Home Depots smallest foam brush (1") strated applying the RB. I found the the 1" brush is the best and it is also best to use very small amounts of paint and spread it out with quick brushing movements...hardly and really no marks whatsoever. I will put 3 coats on today and call it good. Topping with RB's BlackShell next. I am going to try to foam brush the top coat, just to see if I can get a super smooth finish, if not I'll spray it.

[ChevyDude]

Originally Posted by bayer20

Sorry Alex for being so blunt. I understand the passion one has for their hobby. It is just that Im in the classic car biz and have about a parking lot full of cars to worry about and if I spend the same amount of time I'd go broke in two months. You can restore a car in 3 months or 4 years it just depends on the induvidual on how long you want to make your List, it can go on for ever, we all know that.
Brian

Brian, I can handle blunt, fact is I can handle whatever you have to say, but I don't think blunt is the right word. "Off Base" , seems to fit or work better IMO. What you do in your "classic car biz" can't be equated to what I do in the restoration of "my" vehicle. And what kind of restoration can be done in three months by one guy who does it in his spare time??? Nothing to the grade of what I build or want to own. If I was going to do that I'd just skip it entirely. All and all I don't care what you think of me cleaning my parts to the best of my ability is overkill. I put this thread up so people that are unsure of a front end rebuild can see one guys approach. This isn't a business, it's a passion...my hobby, what I enjoy doing. If you judge everyone's mods and restoration's on this site against how you run your classic car biz, you are probably at the wrong site, IMO. I'm not upset, pissed or anything... in that order. I don't really even need or want a responce from you, I wish you the best in you CC biz and I'll carry-on with my build. Cool...cool!

[stepn67]

Alex, I'm with you dude. If it's mine and I'm doing the work (whether it's my truck, yard, or house) I'll put in the extra, because it makes ME happy when the job is done to MY standards.

[ChevyDude]

Thanks stepn67...Somebody telling me my stuff is overkill and justifying telling me so , because he has a parking lot full of classic cars to worry about... whatever...enough said.

I really think now that I will name my 67' project "OverKill"!!! Seems to have a nice ring to it, LOL!

[PanelDeland]

Actually ChevyDude,I think if you go a step or two further in cleaning stuff before you paint it you may build a reputation like Chip Foose or Boyd.I also tend to go overkill.So much so that there are tons of projects in the works around here that i haven't tackled because i don't have the time to do it to my standards.

[ChevyDude]

Ya ...I don't know... Chip's Chip and Boyd is Boyd...I'll never be in that catagory.... I'll just keep on keeping on putting things together the way I feel right about. Lets leave this "overkill" joke aside and move on and I'll continue painting and putting this front end back together. My MOOG parts should be here soon.

Little more on the first step paint process. Sure looks different than when I first brought it home! Gonna look good all gloss Black! Come on' Rock Auto and the big brown truck....bring me my MOOG parts!!!

After examinging every part to this front end, the worst rust damage was to the lower A arm area where the spring sits, lower picture. I think after it's painted black I will tape off that area where the spring sits and shoot it in bedliner material. If any water was to get in there...ain't no way it will rust again, it will have to evaporate. Just an idea???