1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread

[Dads79GMC]

Great work!

I believe you have 7" wheels all around? What size tires you running? Thanks Mike

[ChevDog1]

Good eye - yes they are 7's all around. Right now they are wrapped in BFG 255/60-15 rubber, but I'm strongly considering more of an old school look with something taller and narrower, like a 235/75-15. My rear tires are almost bald, so I will have to buy some rubber after I finish the paint work, if I want to drive it.

It will likely end up being my winter driver, so I can keep the M3 in the garage when the roads get dicey, so I'm also going to need a set of winter tires as well.

[ChevDog1]

OK - now that I am in the process of prepping it for paint - I would like to hear opinions from those of you who have been following this thread. What color should I paint this thing? I would prefer to go with a lighter, brighter color to minimize care issues (I already have two black cars, and would rather not care for any more dark paint).

Right now, I am leaning towards a bright blue, Like the Voodoo Blue used on FJ Cruisers, or Grabber Blue from the new Mustangs. I know that I want the paint to be a solid color with no pearl or flake. A close second is to just shoot it white. I would like it to look like it could have been an original color since I'm going for a lowered stock truck look. I have been searching online for examples, but nothing has jumped out at me and said "yes! this is it!"

I also love the patina look, but don't know if my truck could pull it off (or if I have the skill to do it).

Anyone have an opinion they would like to share?

[Low Elco]

How about some of the 60's colors? VW colors? Fake patina-ehhh, no.

[ChevDog1]

I agree on the fake patina - I like the look, but it just doesn't look right to me on a square body.

[ChevDog1]

Made some progress on the truck this weekend. I now have most of the truck sanded with 80 grit. My decision to touch up bare metal areas with rattle can last winter is causing me a bunch of extra labor now that I am finally starting the paint prep. Rustoleum satin black seems to plug up the sandpaper really quick. I went through an entire roll of paper this weekend, but I'm almost ready to start smoothing it out. Just have one rear fender to strip tonight, then I can start switching out to finer grades of paper.

[ChevDog1]

I also bought a new tool on Saturday. Picked up a HF stud gun. It came with a slide hammer and studs. Used it to pull about a dozen small dents and dings. In many cases, I won't even need filler! Great little tool - I highly recommend these if you have any dents to pull in areas that you cannot get to the backside of.

[ChevDog1]

And the passenger fender...

[InitialBoss]

Looking like good progress! Keep it up!

[ChevDog1]

More pics from tonight. Tailgate

[ChevDog1]

Rear fender

[ChevDog1]

Another rear fender

[ChevDog1]

Drivers door

[Low Elco]

Who'd you try online?

[ChevDog1]

I would prefer to not say until I am sure that the issue is settled. My account with them still shows my order as "pending" despite the fact that I have reversed the charges, and sent them two separate emails cancelling my order. They have not responded to any of my communications about the cancellation yet, and I would rather not muddy the waters while this matter is still pending.

Once I am confident that this is behind me, I will gladly tell you guys who I was dealing with.

[Tx Firefighter]

I had poor luck with my ordering online from TCB Global. I know that far and wide people use them daily for paint and body supplies, but I had to get ugly with them to get my stuff. It took three weeks to get a simple, in stock order (gallon of wax and grease remover and a roll of 80 grit PSA paper).

Everything else for my paint and body I ordered from Summit. Nuff said, it's Summit. Place your order and you'll have a tracking number within a few hours. 20 years I've ordered from them about 1-2 times per month average. Perfect service every single time. I got everything from my epoxy primer, abrasives, body fillers, polyester primer, to the paint. All from them.

[ChevDog1]

I've heard great things about Summit, but they don't offer the color I wanted.

Sorry to hear about your trouble with TCP. I had considered them, but opted for another supplier due to price.

After all of the hassle, I went to my local Industrial Finishes, which is just a few blocks from my office. They were friendly and very helpful. In this instance, I was much better off working with a conventional Brick & Mortar store. I highly recommend them to anyone shopping paint.

The "other guys".... not so much.

[ChevDog1]

Unbelievable....

I was out in my shop this morning finishing up the prep work, and my wife came out to tell me that there was a package for me on the front porch. My paint must have arrived last night.

Now that I have received the product and cancelled my dispute with the credit card, I can tell you guys who it was. The name of the website is Paintforcars.com. - also known as Trinity 1945. This has been the worst online buying experience I have ever had. They absolutely refuse to communicate with their customers. My order status online still shows "pending", and I have not yet received a shipping notification or tracking number that they promise.

I'm going to go ahead and return the PPG primers that I bought this week and use the supplies that I received last night. I'm sure that they will not be of the same quality as PPG, but my total cost for materials will be $420, instead of $800. Still trying to keep this low buck.

Hopefully I will have some pics of the truck in primer by tomorrow night!

[ChevDog1]

It is in primer! Took an awful long time to get here, but it feels good to have it all one color again. More pics to follow.

[ChevDog1]

More pics

[ChevDog1]

Interior

[ChevDog1]

Inside bed

[73Super8]

Looking good.

[ChevDog1]

Got some more done last night. Sanded and primed the fuel filler door, glovebox door, and both steps. I also sanded the primer inside the cab and doorjambs, so I should be ready to shoot the interior by Wed night.

[Low Elco]

Looks straight and solid. Have you looked into Southern Polyurethanes? Good prices and lotsa guys have had good luck with them on here.