Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by rich67

vic what kinda of primer and paint did you use on your frame?

The frame was sandblasted to bare metal and Chassis Black applied directly over it with no primer per the instructions. Chassis Black is a POR15 clone. It cures in the presence of humidity, is very hard and forms a tight bond to bare metal. Later on, I smoothed out the tops of the frame rails that are exposed in the engine bay then primered over the filler. When I spot finished them with the Chassis Black, it acted much more like conventional paint. Not nearly as slick and hard as directly over the metal.

I outsourced the frame painting to the company that sandblasted it. They did a pretty good job, however there were a few rough spots where it looks like dust settled on it. All those places will be hidden from view so I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Caps look great! Shoulda had them engraved with the CRLS logo while you were playin' with the fancy fancy! Can't wait to see how the wheels turn out.

Now see, that's what I get for not consulting the board before forging ahead. Great idea, Chip! Might not be too late, I'd just need to find a local shop that can do engraving. I know my sign maker buddy in Sedalia has an outfit that's done that kind of thing for him. I'll do some investigating.

[bguild]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Now see, that's what I get for not consulting the board before forging ahead. Great idea, Chip! Might not be too late, I'd just need to find a local shop that can do engraving. I know my sign maker buddy in Sedalia has an outfit that's done that kind of thing for him. I'll do some investigating.

I will be in Sedalia next week if you need me to drop them off.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

We just got back into town from our second trip in a month to Houston. My buds at Cryotech Precision Machine asked me to help configure a new computer system for their shop when we visited them in December. Delivered four networked boxes to them and setup all their software this past week. While I was down there, they graciously CNC'd the flats on my center caps. All that remains is to drill and tap the holes for the set screws and get the caps anodized. Then if the weather will cooperate, maybe I can get the wheels painted and the tires back on.

Awesome work on the custom center caps. That's right up my ally.

[Vic1947]

The temps were in the low 60's yesterday, so I laid down some epoxy primer under the dash and on the firewall. Taped the edges to make it easier to do the spotwelds. Today I took a deep breath and committed to the task at hand. All the last minute measurements looked good and I could find no reason to put off welding in the floor and firewall any longer. Won't be long till it's sitting up on buckets and getting fitted for new rockers, cab corners and etc. although there's still a lot of welding and grinding to be done.

[sduckworth13]

Very nice Vic, you do awesome work. I never had a doubt that you would get it to fit like a glove, I only wondered how awesome it was going to look once you got it done.

[sduckworth13]

Vic, I'm usually available on the weekends or after I get off work if you need any help moving the cab around. Just let me know.

[jlsanborn]

Love this thread! Functional, tasteful and tidy. Doin it right man.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Love this thread! Functional, tasteful and tidy. Doin it right man.

Thanks!

[Xeen]

I'm glad to see the floor and firewall being installed this is a major milestone in the project.
Soon no one will ever know it used to be nothing but rust held together with hope and a prayer LOL.
I can't wait to see the rest of the cab work, good stuff man!

[rich67]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

The frame was sandblasted to bare metal and Chassis Black applied directly over it with no primer per the instructions. Chassis Black is a POR15 clone. It cures in the presence of humidity, is very hard and forms a tight bond to bare metal. Later on, I smoothed out the tops of the frame rails that are exposed in the engine bay then primered over the filler. When I spot finished them with the Chassis Black, it acted much more like conventional paint. Not nearly as slick and hard as directly over the metal.

I outsourced the frame painting to the company that sandblasted it. They did a pretty good job, however there were a few rough spots where it looks like dust settled on it. All those places will be hidden from view so I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

i see. thanx vic. awesome thread sir. very informational. like useful stuff! lol

[Low Elco]

Yee-haw! Progress! This year, we'll have a chassis AND a cab at the Nats!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Yee-haw! Progress! This year, we'll have a chassis AND a cab at the Nats!

I'm hoping to drive it there this year.

However, not as much progress today as I would have liked. Started out this morning doing maintenance stuff. When I shot the epoxy the other day, I had a few fisheyes. I knew the surface was clean and the problem turned out to be my much neglected air line. So I ordered up some new line and a new drier setup. I'll parallel it onto the existing setup and only use it for paint. To save a buck I rebuilt six Milton quick connect couplers I had on hand. When you're as eat up as I am, it takes two hours to disassemble them, turn down the mushroom ends, glass bead all the brass and install new rubber washers. I only needed three, but while I was at it...

Next up was changing out the tongs on the spotwelder for the close-in work on the firewall. After that I was able to finish welding the firewall to the floor at the tunnel interface and ground it down smooth. Fitted up the lower right front door pillar and started to tack it in place. As I was doing so, my favorite Speedglas welding helmet went into convulsions and began a death spiral. Thought it might be batteries as it was working half heartedly, but new ones didn't make any difference. A few more tack welds and it was toast. So now I'll be using the backup until I can get a replacement lens. It's always something.

[jlsanborn]

Bummer on the helmet! How old is it? I've had my Speedglas since 2005 and used it almost every day at work for the first few years.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Bummer on the helmet! How old is it? I've had my Speedglas since 2005 and used it almost every day at work for the first few years.

I've had it for about 8 or 9 years. Like you, I used it quite a bit at first as I was doing a lot of contract welding after being laid off. Can't complain about the service, though. It's been a great tool and has more than paid for itself.

[sduckworth13]

Looks great Vic, you make the metal work look flawless.

[jlsanborn]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I've had it for about 8 or 9 years. Like you, I used it quite a bit at first as I was doing a lot of contract welding after being laid off. Can't complain about the service, though. It's been a great tool and has more than paid for itself.

You're right about that. The day I got mine my welds were better and it's still working perfectly. If it ever bites the bullet I won't think twice about anything else. Cab is looking great!

[Low Elco]

Always sucks when your favorite helmet craps out. Still miss my Jackson Executive Variable. Fantastic lookin' work, Vic!

[Vic1947]

Set the cab back down on the floor rails today to make ready for the rest of the lower door pillars, rockers, kick panels and cab corners. Test fit of the rocker panel was as expected, not too bad but will need some massaging. Cut the bracing out on the passenger side to make way for the new pieces. Trimmed and fitted the right side kick panel and it is about ready to spotweld in place. Noticed on Scott's thread he's making serious progress on his firewall, so I spent a little time this afternoon cutting and bending material for his patches.

[sduckworth13]

Looking good Vic, I appreciate you taking the timeout today to make the firewall patch.

[mcbassin]

Super work on the cab! I hope your rockers turn out better than mine. They fit the cab great but not so good on the doors. Keep the pictures coming.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Super work on the cab! I hope your rockers turn out better than mine. They fit the cab great but not so good on the doors. Keep the pictures coming.

I know what you mean, had the same problem on my previous build. This one I plan to hang the doors and make sure it all lines up before I go nuts with the welder.

[Xeen]

It looks great Vic, damn fine job sir.
I'm stoked about the progress I can't wait to see the cab completely finished!
I can't wait to see you work your magic on all the little dents and dings in the cab, I would like to see some raw metal shots of the before and after of some of the repaired areas.
I am really looking forward to the bedside sectioning.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

I'm stoked about the progress I can't wait to see the cab completely finished!

Thanks, Brian. I'm sooo ready for it to be finished also.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I know what you mean, had the same problem on my previous build. This one I plan to hang the doors and make sure it all lines up before I go nuts with the welder.

If you can, mount the cab on the frame and check your fender to door gap too. I ran into some problems with that too. I used all GM sheetmetal on my truck but my gaps aren't close to what I want.