85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Today Chris and I worked on multiple projects together. He focused on stripping seam sealer and undercoating from the last section of the firewall. It was a section that I had planned to leave alone, but he couldn't stand it. The extra time spent was well worth the end result.
With all of the undercoating removed, and the seam sealer reduced to a minimum, i sprayed several coats of filler primer to help reduce the bag of marbles look. This was wet sanded down and a coat of DP 90 epoxy was applied.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris worked on the firewall, I spent my time on the valve covers and breather. I filed and squared the ends on the covers then gave them several coats of filler primer.
After all the pieces were wet sanded smooth they got a cover coat of primer followed by several coats of color.

[aggie91]

All the work you and Chris have done looks great, but I gotta ask one thing. Why not paint the firewall the red like the rest of the inner fender and core support?

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While Chris worked on the firewall, I spent my time on the valve covers and breather. I filed and squared the ends on the covers then gave them several coats of filler primer.
After all the pieces were wet sanded smooth they got a cover coat of primer followed by several coats of color.

wow! the air cleaner and valve covers looks amazing. Well done!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

All the work you and Chris have done looks great, but I gotta ask one thing. Why not paint the firewall the red like the rest of the inner fender and core support?

I had planned to paint above the cab seam red and below in satin black and undercoated along sides. Chris didn't like the look and removed all the undercoating instead. It consumed a bit more time, but the end result will be well worth the effort.

I sprayed the firewall with the DP 90 as a sealer. Its the same process I used on the inner fenders and core support. I will scuff this down and spray it with red tonight. This will ensure that everything looks the same. Good call Chris!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

wow! the air cleaner and valve covers looks amazing. Well done!

Thank you sir. I had a vision on how I wanted it to look, and I was blessed to know a talented artist that could make it happen. Johhny C took my vision and enhanced it to come out better that I had imagined.

[67cheby]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thank you sir. I had a vision on how I wanted it to look, and I was blessed to know a talented artist that could make it happen. Johhny C took my vision and enhanced it to come out better that I had imagined.

She is looking AMAZING Ken, cant wait to see her at LonestarThrowdown! She is a beautiful platform to use promoting the new "mild tubz" !

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

She is looking AMAZING Ken, cant wait to see her at LonestarThrowdown! She is a beautiful platform to use promoting the new "mild tubz" !

Thanks for the kind words and opportunity Mike. I truly feel that this design will be successful for your product line.

[N2TRUX]

Bummed. I have parts and supplies ordered but nothing I needed to have a productive night has arrived. I spent a quiet night with my beautiful wife instead of working in the shop.

[N2TRUX]

I received several boxes from FedEx yesterday. Unfortunately I got home late so my progress was limited. One of the boxes was my filler panels for the core support and a bag of swag from @slosh_tubz. The core support is masked over so I didn't get a chance to test fit.
My titanium Cerakote came in too. I sprayed the back of the cover panels and let it dry. I decided it was not the look I was after and sprayed them with stainless steel silver instead. Still not exactly what I have in mind but it's time to move on.

Edit* Ignore the crazy looking masking paper draped everywhere. Its actually a second layer to protect the painted surfaces. I trimmed it today.

[N2TRUX]

With that decision made, I sprayed the carb as well. I had previously cleaned and bagged it, so a quick blast with brake cleaner and few coats of stainless steel made it look fresh again. Ignore all the crazy bolts and lines. That's just there while I paint.

[N2TRUX]

I spent the rest of my time working on the firewall. I swore it was just going to be a scuff and shoot, but it's gone a bit beyond that. I wet sanded the epoxy primer smooth.
It was torn about leaving the factory dings and dimples but time does not permit a complete smoothing. This will be my point of compromise.
I hung an old housing in place to mark the are below. It will have undercoating in that area.

[rustSpot]

Sweet build Ken! Can't wait to see in person!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustSpot

Sweet build Ken! Can't wait to see in person!!

Thanks Spot. What are you bringing this year?

[N2TRUX]

WOW! This firewall was never intended to take so long. My original plan was to scuff it and shoot fresh color above the seam. Below the seam there was a lot of factory undercoating and seam sealer. I thought I would remove the bulky seam sealer and freshen up the undercoating.

Chris didnt like the look as previously mentioned, and cleaned up most of the grunge. That will look much better in the end, but it required epoxy primer to seal the old paint from the new in an area thats very hard to work.

Unfortunately the DP 90 didnt flow as smoothly as I had hoped and the orange peel needed to be wet sanded. No big deal on a flat surface. Time consuming as heck on a surface thats not flat, has dings and dimples with wires and cables everywhere.

I wont cry over self inflicted wounds, but it kicked my butt last night. Whats sad is at this point it wouldn't have taken much more to slick the firewall entirely. Like it or not, a smooth bag of marbles it will have to be. Sealer coat and color go on tonight no matter what.

[N2TRUX]

Once again, no color on the firewall. Chris came over and we stripped all the old masking off. We scuffed everything down once more and I sprayed all the sand throughs with DP 90. After that was sealed I added a light cover coat for good measure. My buddy Mark insisted that I should give it cure time or it wouldn't be effective as a sealer from the top coat so I called it done.

[aggie91]

Dang that's a lot of work to get around all those parts. Hopefully you can get color on tonight.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Dang that's a lot of work to get around all those parts. Hopefully you can get color on tonight.

It "will" have color on it tonight. I only pray that the color cures quickly. If I dont have the full weekend to start assembly, I am screwed.

[83GMCK2500]

Between this thread and instagram...refresh, refresh, refresh, refresh...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

Between this thread and instagram...refresh, refresh, refresh, refresh...

I keep doing the same thing. Unfortunately it doesn't help.

[Custom.Chevy]

let us know next time you start a project. ill have to buy stock in aluminum foil companies. lol

looks good !

[UKNOWME]

Did your tubz arrive?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Custom.Chevy

let us know next time you start a project. ill have to buy stock in aluminum foil companies. lol looks good !

Hey it looks hokey, but it's easier, cheaper much faster than masking with paper and tape.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Did your tubz arrive?

Not yet. They should be here next week.

[N2TRUX]

Tonight Chris and I made some real progress on the firewall. I gave it a quick skuff with Scotch Brite and blew it clean. I slowly cut in the corners then blew three coats of color. After it cured I gave it three coats of clear. This time I followed Waylon my painter buddies directions on mixing to the letter.

[N2TRUX]

I also got the rest of my order from @brotherstrucks. The new map pockets and the passenger side armrest pad had been back ordered . They need to be dyed to match, but now I can finish the interior.