My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[rgunlock]

I haven't posted in a while, but I have been busy on the weekends with this. The whole truck is now painted and clear-coated inside and out. I'd hoped that would be it, but that was wishful thinking for this first-time painter. Got a lot of orange-peel, dust and bugs in the finish. So much, that I'd be embarrassed for anyone to see it. So, more sanding in store for me. A LOT more sanding. And buffing. Got started today.

Passenger door before, after 1000 grit, forgot to take pics after 1500 and 2000. Then finally after buff & polish. I'm pretty happy with the result. This door wasn't the worse, but in the first pic you can tell by the reflections that it wasn't too smooth. Hopefully you can tell it is much better in the last pic.

Word of warning - If you do this cut & buff thing, any sanding scratches from your bodywork will be brought back out. I've got plenty but for a driver I think I can live with that. Other than a few days of holiday travel, I'm off till Jan 4th so I'm going to try to finish this and get the sheet metal hung back onto the truck.

[MTCK]

That looks great! Can't wait to see it all bolted together.

[boynton]

The stage everyone enjoys in their build...final assembly!

[y5mgisi]

You seem to have my exact thoughts on that. The paint turned out reasonably well for a first timer but to us, it's awful! So we have to sand and buff. We still have imperfections but ones that we can live with and learn from. Good work!

[cmabolt]

looks like glass Rick! Nice work. really! Definitely ready to see it all back together.
Have a great holiday!

Chris

[Bomp]

Great job on the paint. Smooth as glass.

[mjensen]

Good work Rick! It's looking real good!

[rgunlock]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Bomp, I have to say that what I'm showing is more a testament to my patience in sanding all this out and buffing than to the actual paint job which turned out pretty lousy despite all my efforts Also I'm rethinking the reassembly. I'm not as young as I used to be so I have to take a lot of breaks from this to rest my back and shoulders. Gives me too much time to ponder and I'm thinking that the wiring and a lot of the interior would be easier without the sheet metal hung. But I want to see the whole truck painted and together so bad! I had to return to the paint shop twice for more base (and other things) so really want to see if it all matches up - fingers on both hands crossed

So I've read a lot of posts and watched some videos, but this is still kind of a "figure it out as you go along" process. Some more pictures for anyone thinking of doing this.

First is a better shot of the first door with the lower part done and the upper part not done. Pretty easy to see how much the cut & buff job helps.

Next are some in process on the second door. First step was using a single-edge razor to scrape (not cut) off the bug and various dust or trash that got into the clear. Looks pretty scary, but it will sand out. Next shows the lower panel nearly done with the 1st 1000-grit step. I use a plastic putty spreader as a squeegie (sp?) as I go along to see how I'm doing, but at some point you need to clean and dry the panel to see where you've still missed. Remaining orange peel will stick out like a sore thumb so the panel will let you know when you're done with this step.

Final picture I'm done with the 1000 grit and ready to move on to 1500 and 2000. Looks really scary since there is no sign of your paint anymore at this point, but the first door gave me confidence that the color and shine will come back even better with the next steps.

So I'm still trying to figure out how you know when you are really done with the 1500 and 2000 grits. The first door ended up with some hazy areas that I am pretty sure mean I left some 1000 grit scratches. If you have any suggestions about signs you've done enough, please chime in.

[rgunlock]

Just to show that it did turn out pretty well. All the scraping and sanding disappeared. The edges of the reflection are nowhere near straight, but 100% better than how it started. I don't know what it takes to get crisp reflection edges, but I can live with this too. You are absolutely right y5mgisi about living with the imperfections and learning from them. Good thing having gone through this once is that for the next one I know what I need to focus on improving, i.e. getting all the scratches out at the block sanding stage because after paint is too damn late

Looks like this is going to be 1 body panel per day type of work, but I may get some help from one of my son's 20-something friends that is in between jobs next week.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope ya'll have a great holiday and find some truck time in the midst of family time.

[swamp rat]

I think your doing a great job, better than i could do.

[7dee2]

You are doing a great job Rick! I can definitely relate to the too much time to ponder part.

[rgunlock]

Thanks guys! I'm sure you could do as well or better swamp rat if you've got the patience. I'm surely demonstrating that I don't really have much skill

[rgunlock]

Still working on the cut-&-buff, which is taking longer than I expected. I do have some glass now I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could get a new windshield, installed for $139. Also had them install the rear slider I bought for this truck several years ago when I thought I was just getting it drivable. Only problem was that the guy couldn't get the little metal pieces installed that cover then ends of the lock strips so we'll have to come up with a plan 'b' when it gets hot and the rubber is more pliable.

Sorry, didn't take the time to clean up the glass for pictures since I'm still slinging around sanding water.

[MTCK]

Looks awesome, Rick. One step closer...

[Bomp]

Looking pretty darn good.
It takes a patient person to be able to work through issues when things don't lay out perfectly. ie. cleaning bugs and junk outta a 'finished piece'.
Hope you had a Happy New Year.

[y5mgisi]

Awesome!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Looks awesome, Rick. One step closer...

Thanks Marcus! Steps like putting in the glass or mounting up the "real" tires are the first ones in this build that feel like "final stretch". This is likely to be a fairly lengthy final stretch, but these accomplishments are the ones really motivating me. BTW, hope the steps you've ordered mount up easier than mine did

Originally Posted by Bomp

Looking pretty darn good.
It takes a patient person to be able to work through issues when things don't lay out perfectly. ie. cleaning bugs and junk outta a 'finished piece'.
Hope you had a Happy New Year.

Thanks, I'm not sure if it is patience, or just stubborn determination. But then you wouldn't know anything about that would you Bomp Does feel good when something like your bedside re-do comes out really nice and justifies the extra effort, doesn't it.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Awesome!

Thanks y5mgisi! Hope your kitchen remodel goes quickly because I'm ready to follow on your 4x4 swap.

Happy New Year!

[swamp rat]

Getting closer and your worried about dirty new glass for pictures?? <snicker>

[boynton]

I'll sneak in a picture

[boynton]

Rick is doing some amazing work with this truck. I can't wait to see it finished.

[rgunlock]

Thanks Boynton! The help I'd thought I was going to have this past week didn't happen. I made a lot of progress, but didn't finish. Cab, bed, tailgate and doors are mostly done. Haven't started front fenders or hood.

[mjensen]

That is looking real sharp!!! Good work Rick!

[Chevrolado]

Wow.. I just found this build and wandered through all 20 pages so far.. What a build! You've done amazing work and its extremely inspirational on someone like me who is about to start a restoration/build. Great job. Looking forward for what seems like the final steps of this build. Subscribing for the finish.
Nice job!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by mjensen

That is looking real sharp!!! Good work Rick!

Thanks Mike! Bummer about your cross member interference issue, but sounds like you have a plan and its just good to see you making progress.

Originally Posted by Chevrolado

Wow.. I just found this build and wandered through all 20 pages so far.. What a build! You've done amazing work and its extremely inspirational on someone like me who is about to start a restoration/build. Great job. Looking forward for what seems like the final steps of this build. Subscribing for the finish.
Nice job!

Thanks for the compliments and for checking out my build Dave. Found your build thread from the link in your signature. That's a really nice truck you have - looks like a much better start than I had! Good luck with your restoration. I'll be keeping an eye out for your updates.

[rgunlock]

Still working at the cut & buff. Got the driver's side fender done, and also polished up the rear bumper and mounted it. I'd used a torch on the bumper when I was trying to straighten it out. The heat discoloration did not polish out, but I think I'll live with that anyway.