Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4..

[richard2717]

Glad ElPaso made good on the mirrors. As far as the grill, if you are leaving the headlight bezels chrome I would chrome the grill as well

[Ol Blue K20]

The chrome grill would really pop on red...

[Ol Blue K20]

The chrome grill would really pop on red...

[mongocanfly]

yep... everything that's already chrome is staying that way...just wish I could find a really nice bumper that I could chrome...but after 60+ yrs I think it's just a dream to find one good enough for chrome
the bumper I repaired will be good with filler and paint on it..and I kicked around the idea of that "fast chrome paint whatever that is they do on tv stuff"...never seen it in person but it looks pretty good on the tube...and that could be done over filler... also wondered about doing a chrome wrap on it

[Ol Blue K20]

I saw that chrome paint but I bet it's expensive. I don't know how the wrap would hold up.

[mongocanfly]

yeah..those chrome paint kits arnt the cheapest thing for sure...about 150 for a kit

[mongocanfly]

I havnt touched the bumper since way back at the beginning when I attempted to straighten it..
I've been back and forth with the plating guy about it...hes assured me they can fix it...
Last night I took a hard board and sandpaper and lightly scuffed the surface..
It really shows some of the highs and lows in the surface..
I sent him the pics..and he says no problem
He says he has a guy and that's all he does is straighten parts with a bunch of special hammers..

(I wonder if John and Robert are working there?)...haha

So ,I'm gonna give him a shot at it....if it doesn't turn out acceptable then itll be wall art and I'll just build a bumper..
So I'm sending him the bumper and grill....fingers crossed...
Heres the pics I sent him..

[mongocanfly]

And the rest.....

[regan wilson]

That's awesome. They must be old school bumper guys. You used to be able to bend em and mend em. Good news.

[mongocanfly]

Thanks regan....he says the process is similar to the paintless dent removal....just on a blacksmith style scale

[Ol Blue K20]

I hope it comes out nice. The chrome will look good agai st the red.

[mongocanfly]

Thanks Dale....I hope so as well....if the quote he gave me stands I'll be more than happy....I have to keep in mind that these bumpers were most likely far from perfect when new...so if he gets it close itll be good enough...

[regan wilson]

I've got a 454 Farmall with a 3 cylinder Perkins. It is far from perfect! You might be on to something.

[mongocanfly]

Well...the bumper and grill are on their way to the chrome shop....sure hoping they can do what they say with the bumper....the grill should be no problem...fingers crossed anyway....itll be a couple months due to backlog..

[mongocanfly]

Did a little painting on the dash panels, overhead radio console, and door panels....I used the seymore cast blast gray...I like the color but by using rattle cans I can see some streaking in the color when the sun hits it....i may get some paint mixed and just use the spray gun on it to get some better coverage ..but with arm rests , window and door handles it may not look to bad...we'll see..
Couple of progress pics ....and I laid a door panel on one of the doors ...so you can see the color combo I'm using in the cab...

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks good, I like the color combo.

[8man]

Looking good! I agree, good color combo.

[Scott2]

That looks sharp!

[mongocanfly]

thanks Dale, Robert, and Scott..!!!!

[mongocanfly]

While I'm waiting on some decent weather so I can spray some high build primer I've been piddling with some other stuff...got started on the gas tank fix....I had to cut the end off to get the grunk outta it...my buddy with the tig welder was gonna tig it back together for me but we were having trouble finding time between his and my projects to get it done...so I thought I'd give it a shot with the mig....it ain't the purtiest thing but I got it back together....
still have to pressure test...
The stamped corners of the tank were extremely thin ,which I assume is from the metal stretching when they stamped the halves..sure made for some interesting welding...

[rgunlock]

You've got more confidence in your welding than I would have. I wouldn't even need a pressure test - a light test would reveal the pinholes Looks pretty good in the pictures though.

[mongocanfly]

Thanks Rick !!....it may not look near as good when the pressure is added...we'll see...

[mongocanfly]

Well tank passed pressure test....but only after we fixed about 10 leaks....should be good to go..gonna reclean tank and use tank sealer and I should be nearly good as new...

[8man]

That's some impressive welding!

[mongocanfly]

Thanks Robert...looking back I think it would have been better to just build a new tank from aluminum..but maybe this one will be almost as good as new now...