Project Big Red

[laserjock]

That's not a bad idea. I've got frame saver stuff with a really long nozzle. Might try that too.

 

[freebird01]

On new paint I'll run the tape across my pant leg to remove some stickyness to avoid pulling paint off with the tape

That's great advice....how was it painting with no pants...these trucks are so damn big that I'm sure you had no pants by the end of it!

 

[laserjock]

Got the rear section in.

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Ground the welds down and painted the inside to put the side section in and discovered that I had warped the crap out of the corner piece. After a session with a 2x4 and a 4lb sledge hammer, I got it back in shape. Got the other big piece tacked on and it looks pretty good.

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Did a little tweaking to get the lines decent then tacked it up good. Gaps around the panel ended up slightly larger than I wanted but it's manageable. I'm about out of welding gas and my heart just wasn't in it so I called it a night early.

 

[junk]

Looks good to me man!

 

[catbird7]

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[F350camper]

keep after it man, its coming together and you are gonna win!

 

[laserjock]

I finally got that panel welded in last night. Have a couple pin holes to deal with, but I'll get it smoothed up enough for the filler. I pulled the spec sheet on the short strand 3M filler last night and it was mostly unhelpful. I'll probably go ahead and strip that corner all the way to metal and then start the filler work on it getting rid of all the old filler. I know it's going to have it's share of filler but hopefully it's a little better off than it was.

Pics to come.

In the mean time, I'm nursing my index and middle finger on my left hand. Apparently someone had taken up residence in my welding glove and was pissed that my finger was in his space. I have at least 5 what look like spider bites on my middle finger and it is pretty uncomfortable. Don't think it will require amputation but it is always something.

 

[IDIoit]

OUCH!
my shop is like a halfway house for black widows!
now, when i store my gloves i put them under a piece of 3/8" steel plate to smash them and wont let any freeloaters in!

i have a 2" circular scar from a recluse bite i got one day, things get gnarly!

 

[laserjock]

If it had been a nasty type of spider, I figure I probably wouldn't have a finger by now. Its itchy and a little swollen but ice takes it right down. Just another in a long line of annoyances..... I hope....

 

[laserjock]

Well, finger didn't rot off so I got a little more done.

So this is the part that I had to cut off the repair panel to get it to fit at the door gap. I made a few cuts in it so I could contour it to the door post.

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I held it up and marked it by looking through the notches.

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After a little trimming, I got it welded in and ground down. It looks decent.

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And the finished product.

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Ready for filler... Probably a lot of filler on this side. I'll strip all the old filler off and get it down to metal before putting the glass reinforced filler on first and then the other stuff. I want to be done with repairs this weekend but who am I kidding. I'll be lucky if I'm ready for paint when the weather breaks at the speed I'm moving.

 

[IDIoit]

speed is not the result youre looking for.
youre doing a damn good job on this, keep it slow and steady!
itll be a new truck once youre done!

 

[direwulf23]

I want to be done with repairs this weekend but who am I kidding. I'll be lucky if I'm ready for paint when the weather breaks at the speed I'm moving.

Hey, for what it's worth, I'm building a house that is starting out at an old single wide trailer covered with a pole barn roof. I am having the same kind of progress and the same feelings about it, and the same kind of hopeful projections that have devolved into a hope and a shrug. However, I've passed a major point and now it seems like I'm really getting somewhere. Just have to keep plugging away, man.
You're doing GREAT, seriously.

 

[F350camper]

... but who am I kidding. I'll be lucky if I'm ready for paint when the weather breaks at the speed I'm moving.

Naw man you are doing a great job, and making awesome progress. It takes the time it takes, not much anybody can do about that...

 

[laserjock]

Little progress tonight. With everyone in the family getting healthy, it's been a challenge to get anything done but I got a little time tonight.

Ground the rust out of the bottom of the drivers door.

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The inside looks decent.

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So I think I'll hit it with some metal prep inside and out and then pour some POR 15 in the seam all the way across and call it good.

I stripped it down all but the latch. I'll probably yank the latch before I'm ready to paint so I will have a good clean path. Cut down on the masking.

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Pulled the mirror and the window and wing window. The frame around the glass is toast on the window that was there. The one from my parts truck isn't rusty but the bracket that holds it to the inner door shell is ripped off. The one I just took off this truck had the same problem though. I'll probably pick up a qt of gloss black implement paint and shoot those frames before I put it back. I'll do the same thing to the passenger door.

In the mean time I'm working at getting the garage reconfigured for paint work.

 

[laserjock]

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It doesn't look like much but 2.5 hrs later, I got the window sealer goo off the back window Channel and removed the stripe from the door and cab on the drivers side. Sheesh. What a crappy job. Pecking at it it trying to get ready for paint.