Project "What was I Thinking" 68 SWB

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by mx289

Keith,I know you were looking for a tailgate,there is a nice used one listed on the parts board.I believe Homebuilt Hotrods is selling it.

Tom

Thanks Tom, I will check it out.

[Bennett68C10]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys and I apologize for complaining so much. I feel like that is all I have done the past 10 pages or so of my thread. I won't lie, painting this truck definitely scares me because as you guys know I have never painted anything and this truck will be my first adventure into it. I just want it to come out nice as that is what this truck deserves but I'm afraid I'll do a poor job. Oh well we will see what happens

I do know that I have decided that the only color it should be is red. No matter what colors I flirt with I know down the road I will always want it to be red. So no point doing anything else. I see mcbassin jumping for joy right now I also decided to keep things simple due to this being my first paint job I'm going to do Solid Red, no white grill or anything else. Should look similar to my picture below. I'm going to concentrate on getting the body as straight as possible and hopefully it turns out decent. Stayed tuned guys as I finally nailed down my plan.

[Rusbuilt]

The body work is the hardest part! You're going to do fine my friend!

[CC69Rat]

Keith - I know, I know, .. it's so tempting to put them together in primer and just drive them for a little while.. BUT. IMO, it's one of the worst things you can do. I think you have Epoxy primer on most of this truck as I remember but, just saying..

With Epoxy primer and high build in places .. just a final slick coat of primer yes it will look cool but think about all the crap from the road slinging up along side of it. All the moisture that the high build could possibly absorb, contaminants, bird crap, Tire Shine from the dude next to you at the show..

Not trying to talk you out of it just saying .. this is why I am going to try and refrain from driving mine until it's completely painted. I want the base substrate to be as clean as possible and sealed away. With a solid Epoxy base and quality materials you'll probably be ok but just my luck there will be some Armor All specks in the primer I miss then .. f1$h eyes!!! ..

It's not that difficult to paint, it's the bodywork under it that's the labor intensive stuff. Just remember the paint is only going to be as good as what's underneath it.

.. my .02

[jmking9]

I was in the same frame of mind before I painted mine. I was so nervous about it not living up to my expectations. But trust me, put in the time with the prep work, and you will amaze yourself. Look at it this way, no matter how frustrating the whole restoration process can be, you are going to have one killer truck when you're finished. One that you will always be able to say that YOU built! My .02

Oh, and you may have already said, but are you going with base/clear or single stage?

[mcbassin]

It's not that difficult to paint, it's the bodywork under it that's the labor intensive stuff. Just remember the paint is only going to be as good as what's underneath it.

Painting is the little bonus at the end of all the hard work it took to get there. You can physically paint a truck in one or two hard days. Hell, in a couple hours if it's single stage
I dig that rendering....RED!

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

The body work is the hardest part! You're going to do fine my friend!

The funny thing is the bodywork doesn't scare me at all, I guess it's because I have done it before.

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Keith - I know, I know, .. it's so tempting to put them together in primer and just drive them for a little while.. BUT. IMO, it's one of the worst things you can do. I think you have Epoxy primer on most of this truck as I remember but, just saying..

With Epoxy primer and high build in places .. just a final slick coat of primer yes it will look cool but think about all the crap from the road slinging up along side of it. All the moisture that the high build could possibly absorb, contaminants, bird crap, Tire Shine from the dude next to you at the show..

Not trying to talk you out of it just saying .. this is why I am going to try and refrain from driving mine until it's completely painted. I want the base substrate to be as clean as possible and sealed away. With a solid Epoxy base and quality materials you'll probably be ok but just my luck there will be some Armor All specks in the primer I miss then .. f1$h eyes!!! ..

It's not that difficult to paint, it's the bodywork under it that's the labor intensive stuff. Just remember the paint is only going to be as good as what's underneath it.

.. my .02

Thanks Chad I think I'm on the right track now, I'll try not to let my crazy brain derail it.

Originally Posted by jmking9

I was in the same frame of mind before I painted mine. I was so nervous about it not living up to my expectations. But trust me, put in the time with the prep work, and you will amaze yourself. Look at it this way, no matter how frustrating the whole restoration process can be, you are going to have one killer truck when you're finished. One that you will always be able to say that YOU built! My .02

Oh, and you may have already said, but are you going with base/clear or single stage?

Thanks, I have your thread saved as I often look to them for inspiration. I know you were in a similar boat as me with paint experience and yours turned out awesome. I'm going to go with a BC/CC as many of the guys on here directed me too.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Painting is the little bonus at the end of all the hard work it took to get there. You can physically paint a truck in one or two hard days. Hell, in a couple hours if it's single stage
I dig that rendering....RED!

Thanks Mike I knew you would like it.

[jeh]

Keith, I'm liking the red idea also. As far as the paint, I would do base coat/ clear coat instead of single stage. The clear is a whole lot easier to fix any imperfections you might have. You can always cut and buff to achieve a nice looking shine and your paint will lay smooth with no orange peel. If you get any dust or runs in the clear they can be buffed out also. You won't have any trouble with the base coat especially since it won't be a pearl or metallic color.
( that's just my opinion, and you know the old saying)

[jmking9]

I used bc/cc on my truck because everyone told me it was much easier to work with. And also because the med gold has a bit of metallic in it. While it does have its advantages, I just finished my CJ7 with single stage, and found it to be easier. I was able to cut and buff the jeep to a mirror finish that is slightly better than my truck. I will probably be using single stage for solid, non metallic colors on future projects. Now keep in mind that I am truely a novice, and don't have a fraction of the knowledge that others on this forum do. Im just sharing my personal experience. Maybe paint a couple test panels with each, and see what works best for you. Again, this is just my .02. Im not trying to tell anyone that they are wrong.

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by jeh

Keith, I'm liking the red idea also. As far as the paint, I would do base coat/ clear coat instead of single stage. The clear is a whole lot easier to fix any imperfections you might have. You can always cut and buff to achieve a nice looking shine and your paint will lay smooth with no orange peel. If you get any dust or runs in the clear they can be buffed out also. You won't have any trouble with the base coat especially since it won't be a pearl or metallic color.
( that's just my opinion, and you know the old saying)

Thanks Jason I definitely appreciate your opinion, I just hope my paint can be half as nice as yours is.

Originally Posted by jmking9

I used bc/cc on my truck because everyone told me it was much easier to work with. And also because the med gold has a bit of metallic in it. While it does have its advantages, I just finished my CJ7 with single stage, and found it to be easier. I was able to cut and buff the jeep to a mirror finish that is slightly better than my truck. I will probably be using single stage for solid, non metallic colors on future projects. Now keep in mind that I am truely a novice, and don't have a fraction of the knowledge that others on this forum do. Im just sharing my personal experience. Maybe paint a couple test panels with each, and see what works best for you. Again, this is just my .02. Im not trying to tell anyone that they are wrong.

Your jeep looks great, I might give your suggestion a try to see how it works.

[slowcpe]

That rendering is nearly identical to my idea for my last truck. Clean, simple and red. I'm sticking with the red on my stepper but going with white trim instead of chrome. Definitely RED!!!

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

That rendering is nearly identical to my idea for my last truck. Clean, simple and red. I'm sticking with the red on my stepper but going with white trim instead of chrome. Definitely RED!!!

Thanks man I like your plans with the white bumpers and trim. Red just looks so good on these trucks or any vehicle for that matter, I guess that's why it's called resale red

[SeTx67]

I finished reading your build thread today and you weren't kidding about changing your mind . Your truck looks great and you're on the home stretch now. I agree with most the others and say go with the trim. All you you guys with these complete frame off builds makes me want to go back and do mine right or build a chassis and swap everything over.

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by SeTx67

I finished reading your build thread today and you weren't kidding about changing your mind . Your truck looks great and you're on the home stretch now. I agree with most the others and say go with the trim. All you you guys with these complete frame off builds makes me want to go back and do mine right or build a chassis and swap everything over.

Thanks man, I tried to warn you as you read me say before, I will never do another frame off. If I was you, build another chassis and then swap your body and drivetrain on to it when your ready. This way your truck is on the road the whole time and you can still enjoy it. I have been without my truck for so long that it is almost becoming pointless now. It would be fine if I had another hotrod to take out on the weekends and do some shows and cruises.

[knomadd]

Only if you don't tear the other hotrod apart at the same time... Ask me how I know.

It will all be worth it in the end. Just stick with it and you'll get there. It's looking good so far!

[C10_ustacould]

crawdadfox gave me the same advice. I have an extra swb frame but I can't bring myself to build it and then swap my sheet metal over to it. I just think that if you can keep the cab, frame, and SPID numbers matching the truck is worth more valuable.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

crawdadfox gave me the same advice. I have an extra swb frame but I can't bring myself to build it and then swap my sheet metal over to it. I just think that if you can keep the cab, frame, and SPID numbers matching the truck is worth more valuable.

I would have to disagree a little here. IF the project's end result would consist of the frame being uncut, unmolested, and in original form... then I would agree that it could have more value with its original frame. BUT... once you cut the frame, that value disappears.

The true value in building a frame then swapping sheetmetal comes from all the time saved, and the ability to enjoy the truck without having it torn down and out of commission for an extended period of time... especially with a substantial suspension overhaul.

I would build the spare frame and then swap the body over.... that's just me.

Nate

[C10_ustacould]

Dang you Nate Porter!! Must be my MILD case of OCD...

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Bucks68

Dang you Nate Porter!! Must be my MILD case of OCD...

I suffer from a bit of OCD and even more of HyperFocus..... trust me when I tell you that building the spare frame and swapping it over will be much more therapeutic and enjoyable. If you already have the spare frame, then there's no excuse.

Nate

[Gus350]

To me by doing the spare frame and swapping sheetmetal you always have the original matching frame to go back to if you ever wanted to

[SeTx67]

A spare for me wouldn't be anything close to stock anyway. It would have a few cuts and welds and hopefully coilovers on all four corners

[knomadd]

I would love the spare frame idea, that way I could go back to stock if I wanted with the original frame.

Some words of caution though... I've heard stories (read: may not be true) about guys who couldn't register their vehicle without the original frame (numbers had to match the cab and frame). I can't remember which state that was and I've never run into this myself but you might want to look into your local rules before spending a ton of money on a spare frame. You know, just in case.

[Bennett68C10]

Well I haven't got much done over the past 2 weeks but I have been collecting some parts. I picked up captain fabs booster bracket along with the hydroboost plate. I decided that I'm going to run hydroboost so that I don't have any problems with my camshaft not producing enough vacuum for my brakes. I thought about just running manual brakes but decided the hydroboost would be the best option for me.

[mx289]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Well I haven't got much done over the past 2 weeks but I have been collecting some parts. I picked up captain fabs booster bracket along with the hydroboost plate. I decided that I'm going to run hydroboost so that I don't have any problems with my camshaft not producing enough vacuum for my brakes. I thought about just running manual brakes but decided the hydroboost would be the best option for me.

I agree with you there keith.

Hope to do a hydroboost in my c10 soon.

[67ctener]

Please post details and specs on your hydroboost set up when you get going on it. I've been kicking around the idea also between manual/hydroboost