Newbie in St. Louis Area Looking for Blaster and Powdercoater

[lchall]

Just a little background first. My truck is a 1972 SWB I got a couple of years ago. It was a 3-speed with 350. Right now I am thinking about going with a 383 with 700R4. Probably something around a 4/6 drop with 17-18" wheels. I've been using the site for some time to answer my questions and gather ideas and I must say that this is by far the best resource out there. It has been a tremendous help, just in the disassembly process alone.

I've finally got started (it took a couple of years) and have everything pretty much broken down. I'm looking for someone to Media Blast and Prime my cab/body panels and someone to Powercoat the frame. I've tried the phonebook and Google without too many results. I didn't know if anyone in the STL area would have any ideas or anyone they have used and could recommend.

Any help would be appreciated.

And for your viewing pleasure, I've went from this:



To this:

[mvfd70]

Welcome. Looks like your truck and my truck are in the same shape right now. It's easy to get them apart but it takes sooo long to get them back together. Sorry I can't really help you out too much. I'm not exactly in the STL area. About 90 miles east of you.

[Mudder]

I am west of you about 60 miles but you can try this if you like.
Scego John Auto Body
573 437 2240

[72BlckButy]

First off, to the board from Mid-MO!!!

Secondly, great looking project!

I'm about 140 miles away from you, and I am planning on using Xtreme Paint & Body, and their sister business Xtreme Powder Coating. According the Chris (the owner) they have the largest powdercoating unit in the state, or region (I can't remember). I know that their blaster (Travis) works from sun up to sun down and way into the wee hours. On several occassions he has put in over 100 hrs, and that's just blasting. They have turned out some great trucks, one which is a board members truck, and his board name is lost wages.

Good luck with the decision, and good luck with the build!

On a side note, coming up on September 5-7 is the Midwest All Truck Nat's in Riverside, MO (north KC). There is going to be quite a few board members attending/participating at this show. Check out the Midwest Events part of the board for more info.

[72BlckButy]

Another side note, I love the garage, very clean!

[lolife99]

Welcome from central Missouri also. Is that one of Rokcrln's "tip and flip" cab dollies?

[yad]

Ichall, was that you driving a red car with new buddy buckets in the trunk yesterday??

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Is that one of Rokcrln's "tip and flip" cab dollies?

I was wondering the same thing...

[lchall]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Welcome from central Missouri also. Is that one of Rokcrln's "tip and flip" cab dollies?

It sure is. I purchased the plans for the Tip/Flip Dolly and Cab/Box lift and assembled a few months ago. They both work excellent. Just like advertised you can lift the cab or bed by yourself no problem.

I made a few modifications, but overall sticked with the design. I had a little leftover steel tube and even made a couple of adder rails to modify the cab dolly to be a temporary bed dolly. I painted it with Rust Bullet (just to keep the rust down and to try the product out) and couldn't be happier with it. I haven't used the tip arms yet, but I am sure they will work great too.

[lchall]

Originally Posted by yad

Ichall, was that you driving a red car with new buddy buckets in the trunk yesterday??

I wish that was me. I would love to get ahold of some bucket seats for my truck.

I drive a 2006 Pontiac GTO. That car has a tiny trunk barely big enough to hold much of anything. Then again, I probably didn't buy a car like that for trunk space. HeHeHe!!!

[lchall]

Well, I called Doug Jenkins Hot Rods in St. Louis and they Media Blast for $80/hr + $18/bag for the media. They said they did a complete 68 truck a few weeks ago in 8 hours. I think that sounds fairly reasonable. If I'm wrong please let me know.

As for the Powdercoater - I contacted the one place I could find, but they could only handle items up to 14' long. I still need some help locating a powdercoater in the STL that can handle a frame. If all else fails I could try 72BlckButy's recommendation, but it's over 100 miles from the STL.

Any ideas? Surely someone has had a frame Powercoated in St. Louis.

[72BlckButy]

lchall when you say complete truck do you mean... bed, cab, doors, front end, frame,...??? If so that sounds like one heck of a deal, especially if they can get it done in 8hrs.

Let me know if you decide to call Xtreme.

[lchall]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

lchall when you say complete truck do you mean... bed, cab, doors, front end, frame,...??? If so that sounds like one heck of a deal, especially if they can get it done in 8hrs.

Let me know if you decide to call Xtreme.

I think they meant just the sheetmetal and that did not include the frame. I thought that was pretty quick though even for just the body.

If I don't find anybody I'll let you know about Xtreme. Thanks!

[72BlckButy]

Well good luck with the search... it can be nerve racking when deciding which body shop to use, because with a classic the quote always increases!

Good luck with the build, and hope to meet up sometime. I work across the entire east side of the state, so I'm in St Louis quite a bit.