My 1970 GMC “Project Splice”

[Kronald_70GMC]

Alright so now that the skeleton is mostly complete until I figure out speakers and such, I figured I should decide how to do the corners. After some though between trying to make it out of sheet metal and fiberglass, I've landed on fiberglass. This could be interesting as I've never worked with it before. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. So far as I know, I should be able to apply some resin and some matting directly to my cardboard backing and just build up from there? Wish me luck.

[72 tigger]

Do you want the cardboard to remain? Guess it wouldn’t hurt anything. Not a fiberglass expert, but I would recommend using adequate hardener in the resin. If you don’t, the resin remains somewhat gooey- not good

[72 tigger]

Skeleton looks really good!

[sakustoms]

Unless you want the cardboard there permanently make sure to use a mold release agent.

Also, work in stages allowing the resin to flash off before adding more matting on top.

Looking good. Good luck.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by sakustoms

Unless you want the cardboard there permanently make sure to use a mold release agent.

Also, work in stages allowing the resin to flash off before adding more matting on top.

Looking good. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I am planning to leave the cardboard there. I feel like it's alot of extra work to make it come off considering it will be on the back of panel and never seen. I am planning to head out there shortly and get the first layer of cloth down. I'll keep everyone posted on the results even if it flops.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Well I got the first coat of resin and cloth on. I won't say it turned out amazing but I think it will work after more coats and some matting. Here's hoping!

[sakustoms]

After you are done laying down matting get ready for body filler work. More spreading and sanding.

[sakustoms]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Well I got the first coat of resin and cloth on. I won't say it turned out amazing but I think it will work after more coats and some matting. Here's hoping!

You are on your way now. No turning back.

Not sure what you are putting in there but if running subs make sure to put a port hole in there too.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Tonight I went out and cleaned up the edges of my fiberglass. Once that was complete, I quickly sanded a few big ugly bumps out of it and did the second coat of resin with a layer of matting on the top portion of the piece. Matting is harder to work with and uses more resin so I didn't get the bottom section done.

[sakustoms]

The last fiberglass project I did was a sub box I built for my kids car. I stretched fleece over it and covered it with resin. When that dried I applied fiberglass filler and then body filler. What a mess. LOL

Are you going to put filler over this and sand/paint?

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by sakustoms

The last fiberglass project I did was a sub box I built for my kids car. I stretched fleece over it and covered it with resin. When that dried I applied fiberglass filler and then body filler. What a mess. LOL

Are you going to put filler over this and sand/paint?

Yes it is for sure messy stuff to work with. I will either fill and paint or fill and cover in upholstery. I haven't decided yet.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Last night I was able to find enough time to get out and do the second coat and matting on the bottom half. Tonight I removed the piece from the mold so to speak. Once it was free, I cleaned up the edges with my 3" roloc and flipped it over to do a coat of cloth on the back side. Now I will always have a part of my favorite beer and pop built right into the truck.

[Captain X]

I'm kind of surprised you aren't using that space for tools or extra oil or coolant or what have you.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by Captain X

I'm kind of surprised you aren't using that space for tools or extra oil or coolant or what have you.

I had considered it at one point but it is not accessible at all with the seats and console bolted in place.

[Kronald_70GMC]

And here is a test fit with the weatherstripping.

[BigBird05]

For access behind the seat since I moved the tank out back I got a 68 fold down seat.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

For access behind the seat since I moved the tank out back I got a 68 fold down seat.

I also had thought about that too but I really want to use my factory buckets and console. I even contemplated trying to make my buckets fold down but that seems like it could get really dangerous quickly in an accident.

[Kronald_70GMC]

I have applied the final layer of cloth on my piece and am starting to sand away all the ripples and imperfections. Depending what I do with this piece, as far as paint it or upholster it, will determine wether it will need fill or not. I really don't know what to do with it. I really think it's going to depend what I do for the box. For now I will take it to this point and decide when the time comes.

[Kronald_70GMC]

I finished up sanding the lower portion to shape. Today I also picked up the fasteners I will use to attatch these corner pieces when I get that far. I also sat down and finally put an idea that I've had rolling around in my head to paper. I designed a logo for my truck. Not 100% sure where I'm going to use it yet but I have an idea. You will have to stay tuned to see it.

[ryans69chevy]

Kyle, a few questions for you -

I'm trying to decide if I should close up some of the holes in my firewall on the cab. I know there are threads out there showing what hole is for what. Curious if you are going to go through all that work on welding up those holes or if you are just going to use rubber plugs?

Also, what type of primer and primer gun did you use on your cab. The more I look at my cab to figure out what stuff I can do, the more I realize its time to get a gun and material to shoot some 2k. It would be sweet to see your air setup. I should probably invest in some equipment to flush the condensate out of the line before it reaches the gun.

Your cab looks great. Can't wait to see more progress on this one.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by ryans69chevy

Kyle, a few questions for you -

I'm trying to decide if I should close up some of the holes in my firewall on the cab. I know there are threads out there showing what hole is for what. Curious if you are going to go through all that work on welding up those holes or if you are just going to use rubber plugs?

Also, what type of primer and primer gun did you use on your cab. The more I look at my cab to figure out what stuff I can do, the more I realize its time to get a gun and material to shoot some 2k. It would be sweet to see your air setup. I should probably invest in some equipment to flush the condensate out of the line before it reaches the gun.

Your cab looks great. Can't wait to see more progress on this one.

Ok I'm going to try my best to answer your questions. As for my firewall, if you go back to page 9 post 211, that is where I started all my firewall mods. As far as what hole is for what, I essentially just plugged all but throttle, brake booster, column brackets and parking brake.

For the primer I used, it is called Upol High Build primer, I'll attatch a pic. The gun was one I borrowed from my dad. It is a gravity fed HVLP with the strainer screen removed or it doesn't spray primer well at all, nothing very fancy. My air setup is a 20 Gallon compressor that feeds into a second auxillary 20 gallon tank. From there, I run it into an air dryer, again nothing too fancy, it is one that doesn't use those little silicone beads or whatever they are. It works well for primer but if I was to paint with it, I'd likely have to make a few upgrades.

I hope this answers all of your questions. Thanks for following along with my very slow build.

[ryans69chevy]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Ok I'm going to try my best to answer your questions. As for my firewall, if you go back to page 9 post 211, that is where I started all my firewall mods. As far as what hole is for what, I essentially just plugged all but throttle, brake booster, column brackets and parking brake.

For the primer I used, it is called Upol High Build primer, I'll attatch a pic. The gun was one I borrowed from my dad. It is a gravity fed HVLP with the strainer screen removed or it doesn't spray primer well at all, nothing very fancy. My air setup is a 20 Gallon compressor that feeds into a second auxillary 20 gallon tank. From there, I run it into an air dryer, again nothing too fancy, it is one that doesn't use those little silicone beads or whatever they are. It works well for primer but if I was to paint with it, I'd likely have to make a few upgrades.

I hope this answers all of your questions. Thanks for following along with my very slow build.

Holy smokes, I guess I didn't check in on thread as much as I thought. I missed a bunch of your updates to your cab. That looks incredible!

After checking at my parents house, I realized I have a bunch of parts that were sandblasted or all the paint is removed. I should probably get a gun and shoot those. I will probably have to stop at a paint store and get an air dryer, gun, and primer. Did you wet the floor or anything special when you sprayed in your garage?

[Kronald_70GMC]

Originally Posted by ryans69chevy

Holy smokes, I guess I didn't check in on thread as much as I thought. I missed a bunch of your updates to your cab. That looks incredible!

After checking at my parents house, I realized I have a bunch of parts that were sandblasted or all the paint is removed. I should probably get a gun and shoot those. I will probably have to stop at a paint store and get an air dryer, gun, and primer. Did you wet the floor or anything special when you sprayed in your garage?

No I didn't I just set my exhaust fan on high and went to town. I figured if I get dust and stuff in the primer, it will get sanded away during blocking. That's the nice thing with primer, if you mess up, you just sand and it's good.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Now that I have confirmed that my corner piece works as planned on the driver's side, I am able to start the passenger side. I got the cardboard all cut and fit and the first coat of fiberglass cloth layed down. Looks like it will be a nice mirrored image of the driver's one so at least I did something right.

[sakustoms]

How do you like the Upol high build?

My son ordered this and I just got it yesterday. Hoping to spray soon.