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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: menace1978 on January 25, 2009, 11:25:22 am

Title: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 25, 2009, 11:25:22 am: hey guys, i am starting a frame off on my '78 silverado. this is my 1st project like this and i'm a little nervous!LOL i am going to remove the bed 1st and go from there.

my question is how are you guys preping the frame and rear end? i have been looking at sandblasters. is this the right way to go? and what type of paint are you using?

i'm doing this in my 2 car garage and mostly by myself. this truck means A LOT to me and i wanna do it right. any help or insight is greatly appreciated. thanks, Dennis
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 1983stepside on January 25, 2009, 01:28:04 pm: Quote from: menace1978 on January 25, 2009, 11:25:22 am
hey guys, i am starting a frame off on my '78 silverado. this is my 1st project like this and i'm a little nervous!LOL i am going to remove the bed 1st and go from there.

my question is how are you guys preping the frame and rear end? i have been looking at sandblasters. is this the right way to go? and what type of paint are you using?

i'm doing this in my 2 car garage and mostly by myself. this truck means A LOT to me and i wanna do it right. any help or insight is greatly appreciated. thanks, Dennis

well im building my 1983 chevy c10 stepside and i took it down to the frame as well i didnt have the money to sandblast the frame or rearend so what i did was wire wheeled the frame and rear end and got the por 15 3 step kit, that has a cleaner, after the scaley rust is gone, then you put a self etching formula on thats in the kit, when that dries it leaves a zinc coating behind for the por15 to adheire better, then you use the por 15, now you can brush it on, or spray it on with a paint gun, if you spray it on all you do is open the can, stir it up, and pour it in the gun, no need to reduce it, i brushed it on my frame, i used a qurt can and that did my entire frame and rear end the only thing i didnt coat was the a arms and leaf spring, because i have to replace them, so to do all of the frame and suspension and rear end id say youll need a qurt and a half, give or take a little and after it dries in a day or so, you can wet sand it with 400 grit and then paint it what ever color you want with any brand of paint hope this helps you and this is just one way you can paint your frame theres others, this is just what i did and it turned out real nice post some pics during the project 8)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 84chevysilverado on January 25, 2009, 04:45:22 pm: I was lucky enough that one of my dads buddies has an industrial sandblaster so thats what I used. I also just sandblasted from the cab back to get all of that rust off. then coated it with that spray on bedlinear. Then I built my own little sandblaster out of an old propane tank lol. for little stuff, works pretty slick if ya ask me
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: cracker0169 on January 26, 2009, 06:10:33 pm: You could always get one of these from Summit. I have got one (just gotta get some media) and plan on doing my 83 2wd with it using either crushed walnut hulls or baking soda (both are eco-friendly since Im going to do it in the yard).

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CLK%2DSB9003&N=700+4294925139+4294923770+4294795390+4294758913+115&autoview=sku (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CLK%2DSB9003&N=700+4294925139+4294923770+4294795390+4294758913+115&autoview=sku)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 26, 2009, 07:09:41 pm: thanks for the input guys! i started on her today... got the bed off, rear bumper, hitch, seat, and carpet out. the frame is really clean. my neighbor helped me lift the bed off and he couldnt believe how clean it was under there and wondered why i'm even doing this. i have been questioning that myself. lol! next to come off is the hood, front clip, and cab. then it's almost blasting time!
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 26, 2009, 07:50:19 pm: (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4016.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4047.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4033.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4041.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4045-1.jpg)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: hotrod24 on January 26, 2009, 11:21:15 pm: what size tires and wheels you have?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on January 27, 2009, 03:11:18 am: Looks real clean man,Welcome from florida.

thanks
pat
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 27, 2009, 09:34:01 am: thank you pat. hotrod the tires are 295/50/15 on a 15x8 wheel.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: lowbucktruck on January 27, 2009, 10:13:43 am: Quote from: menace1978 on January 26, 2009, 07:09:41 pm
thanks for the input guys! i started on her today... got the bed off, rear bumper, hitch, seat, and carpet out. the frame is really clean. my neighbor helped me lift the bed off and he couldnt believe how clean it was under there and wondered why i'm even doing this. i have been questioning that myself. lol! next to come off is the hood, front clip, and cab. then it's almost blasting time!

Wow, that is really clean under the bed! Especially for that old a truck. Might be an easy job.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 27, 2009, 10:33:18 am: hey neighbor! my biggest prob. is going to be replacing the passenger side floor where the rust is. its only rusted through in 2 spots w/ pin sized holes. i'm no body man (yet) but i registered at ARC for body classes that start in march at mather air force base. body work is just about the only thing i'm not comfortable doing. hopefully the night classes will give me some confidence or at least piece of mind.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on January 27, 2009, 11:26:30 am: If there just 2 sized pin holes you can use brass on the holes, a small torch and a brass wire and it`ll fill in the holes w/o having to replace the entire floorpan.Or you can make a small patch and butt weld it, that way you dont got the overlapping piece of metal on the floor.Just some ideas to make your job a bit easier..

thanks
pat
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 27, 2009, 11:32:23 am: thats great to know! i thought i'd have to replace the whole panel so the rust doesnt spread...
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: hotrod24 on January 27, 2009, 01:20:59 pm: thanks i have a 4x4 but i will get me a 2wd some day and i want them tires and wheels on it

thanks
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 84chevysilverado on January 27, 2009, 07:41:22 pm: wish mine looked that clean under the bed. whats with the fire extinguisher? was this truck ever raced?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Captkaos on January 27, 2009, 09:17:06 pm: You could also spot weld the holes shut. I would clean it up and find out how bad it actually is also.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 28, 2009, 09:36:04 am: no its never been raced. my grandpa put that in years ago. thanks captkaos, i'm going to get a wire on it today just to see how fragile it is. hopefully i'll get the front clip off and maybe the cab today also. need to measure it and make sure i have enough room in the garage.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 28, 2009, 09:43:33 am: can i get the front clip off in 1 peice? core support, fenders, ect.? or do i have to take it all apart 1 at a time?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: frogman68 on January 28, 2009, 09:46:33 am: Quote from: menace1978 on January 28, 2009, 09:43:33 am
can i get the front clip off in 1 peice? core support, fenders, ect.? or do i have to take it all apart 1 at a time?

Bolts by the door top and bottom (bottom is underneath)
Then the frame to Rad support

Should then come off.. With some help from some "friends"
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Captkaos on January 28, 2009, 11:59:00 am: I would do it with 4 people for the least trouble and take the tires off. Also, don't forget the inner fenders are bolted to the cab at the back. You have to lift all this over the tire area.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on January 28, 2009, 12:01:09 pm: Also take off the front bumper it makes it that much easier..

thanks
pat
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Blazin on January 28, 2009, 12:11:49 pm: I wouldn't replace the floor either. Even if you make the patch an 1/8" bigger then what you cut out it will be fine.
I run a fire extinguisher in all my cars, and trucks.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 28, 2009, 03:59:55 pm: thanks for the input!

i went shopping around and found a place that will sandblast and powdercoat the entire frame any color for $450. still concidering doing it myself but not sure it's worth it. any ideas? wire wheeling it seems like it would take forever and not sure if a small sandblaster (cabinet type) will do it...

my wifes home so i'm not going to get the front clip off/unbolted until she goes to school tonight.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 1983stepside on January 28, 2009, 05:51:47 pm: i would of had mine powder coated if i found a deal like that one you have, lol wire wheeling realy didnt take as long as you may think, most of the rust i could hit the frame with a hammer and it would fall off and the rest it took about 2 hours or so, your frame is alot nicer looking then when i started so it would probably only need half the time, or even some 80 grit sand paper on a DA and then paint 8)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: crazedhick3 on January 28, 2009, 06:50:22 pm: If I had to do it all over again, I would ditch the blaster. Keep in mind you need alot of air to run a blaster big enough. A small blaster will take you forever. Wire wheels on a 5" electric grinder(flat and cup) and a couple of die grinders would be perfect. I did go a little extreme by taking pretty much everything riveted to the frame off except for 2 cross members. Probably the worst part of the job. But i had seen some rust under the brackets between the frame and I didnt want to go through all of this and have rust creep out. Honestly, as clean as your frame looks, I would get some Simple Green mixed 50/50 in a pump sprayer and spray the frame, then blast with a pressure washer. Then go at it with a wire wheel. Ill try to post some pics.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 84chevysilverado on January 28, 2009, 07:33:08 pm: huh never seen someone run fire extinguishers before. guess its a really good idea with these older trucks might have ta get me one
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 28, 2009, 08:09:22 pm: well the ups man brought me "how to swap ls-series engines into anything" book! been on back order since the 1st. yaaaa!

thank you hick3. i'm going to finish stripping her down and try the simple green and pressure washer and see how it looks. then try a wire wheel. if it turns out good i may just start applying the por-15.

how much better is powdercoating compared to the por-15?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: eventhorizon66 on January 28, 2009, 08:14:21 pm: Quote from: Blazin on January 28, 2009, 12:11:49 pm
I wouldn't replace the floor either. Even if you make the patch an 1/8" bigger then what you cut out it will be fine.
I run a fire extinguisher in all my cars, and trucks.

That's really smart. Sure beats watching helplessly while your truck burns to a crisp.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 29, 2009, 04:52:41 pm: all right guys... i got the front clip off in 1 piece i'm greasy as heck so ill post pics later tonight.

i need some advice on getting the cab off. everything is unbolted and i cannot believe how heavy it is! do i need to take off the doors and all the glass? or should i get 4 or 5 guys to help?? and wheres the best place to grab it from? thanks again, Dennis
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: crazedhick3 on January 29, 2009, 04:59:28 pm: 4 guys, grab it where you can and walk it forward. it is heaviest towards the windshield. it can be done with one person, a chainfall, a 10ft strap, and an 8ft 4x4. But I dont recommend it......
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: frogman68 on January 29, 2009, 05:24:35 pm: Quote from: menace1978 on January 29, 2009, 04:52:41 pm
all right guys... i got the front clip off in 1 piece i'm greasy as heck so ill post pics later tonight.

i need some advice on getting the cab off. everything is unbolted and i cannot believe how heavy it is! do i need to take off the doors and all the glass? or should i get 4 or 5 guys to help?? and wheres the best place to grab it from? thanks again, Dennis

I would take the doors and glass out for the weight and also a safety measure
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Antti on January 30, 2009, 04:57:18 pm: And also, the doors weigh pretty much compared to the weight of the whole cab.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Blazin on January 30, 2009, 09:08:12 pm: As far as cleaning the frame up Castrol Super Clean works awesome. Wear rubber gloves though, the stuff is pretty potent.
A chain fall and 6x6 with the doors on. I pull them and the seat. Then a 4x4 will cut it.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 31, 2009, 09:34:14 am: sweet! thank you... yesterday i picked a cabinet sand blaster off craigslist for $80 and played with that cleaning bolts and stuff. did get the driver door off. kind of a pain w/ all the wiring. i'll get the pass. door off today and start cleaning up/removing the mess around the motor... wiring, vaccum lines, brake master, and whatever else i threw on top of there to get the clip and cab off.

pardon my ignorance but what is a chain fall...
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 31, 2009, 09:53:12 am: (http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4054.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4055.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4067.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4056.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4066.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4065.jpg)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: JRConnieK10 on January 31, 2009, 10:03:42 am: Nice progress. Good find on the cabinet also I've been looking for one but I want the bigger one. Does it work pretty good?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 31, 2009, 10:15:41 am: thanks buddy, i wanted a bigger one also but i figure i'll save anything that wont fit for last and use some cheap home depot sand and do them outside the box and i'm kinda short on room especially when i get the cab, motor and trans out.

it actually works really good. gives my compressor a heck of a work out but i used it on the drivers gas filler tube and the bed bolts and stuff turns out really good. like new!
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: JRConnieK10 on January 31, 2009, 10:42:01 am: Sounds good. I guess I don't really need it for anything big just never know.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on January 31, 2009, 06:19:26 pm: so i got the passenger door off today and the cab is still pretty heavy. going to have to get a few friends/neighbors over to help me lift it off the frame.

guy down the street came by and said he doesnt think i should use por-15 on the frame because there isnt any rust. he suggested to powder coat it. what do you guys think?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: Blazin on January 31, 2009, 07:28:41 pm: First off I would use Chassis Saver over POR15. Same exact stuff but about half the price. POR and Chassis Saver are design to go over tightly adhered rust or sand blasted metal. As far as over paint I have had it work decent over well sanded paint, or lightly sand blasted paint. It needs a mechanical bond just like any coating would. My suggestion would be use Chassis Saver on the rust, an epoxy primer over the paint and Chassis Saver, then spray it with a quality acrylic enamel.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on February 08, 2009, 05:59:44 pm: UPADTE: got the cab off yesterday and a buddy brought over a cherry picker for the motor and trans. that cab was HEAVY!! anyways, motor/trans next, suspension and anything else bolted to the frame!
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4086.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4085.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4082.jpg)(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4076.jpg)
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on February 08, 2009, 06:08:32 pm: Gotta love craigslist. Doing some nice work there man Did you use the cherry picker to pull the cab off? I used mine to take my old cab off and put my new 1 on pics:

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/cab1.jpg)

(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/ramsportguy/cab3.jpg)

thanks
pat
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on February 08, 2009, 06:17:30 pm: dang! you make it look sooooo easy!! no my dad happened to be over visiting when my buddy came by w/ the cherry picker and i ran over and grabbed my neighbor... so 4 of us. really needed 5 or 6. when i put it back on i'll try that. i am just afraid of breaking/bending/thrashing something.

that frame looks really good from the pics! what did you use on yours??
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 2502 on February 08, 2009, 08:26:00 pm: that looks so clean and easy. i'm getting depressed, mine's still sitting with the cab on the frame and a pile of parts.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: jay6776 on February 08, 2009, 08:36:01 pm: I give it up to u man. That truck is clean if that was mine it would have just been a repaint.
Looks good you going with the same color?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on February 08, 2009, 08:45:18 pm: Thanks for the compliments,
i took the old cab off and put this 1 on myself, i used KBS coatings onthe frame and the front and rear suspension pieces as well as the rearend.It can be applied with a roller or a gun or a brush.I preferred the roller.Just gotta make sure the frame is free of any grease,oil or any contaminates.And use the water soluble etching on the frame, what it does it mixes with hot water, you spray it on bare metal, it etches while its drying and you can either prime it or paint right over it.The frame originally had black lacquer paint and i had to sand all that down and used this stuff and it is working very well.I was going to use it on the bottom of the cab but i`m gonna use the truck bed coating and do the inside of the cab firewall as well.
Still man your doing a heck of a job, keep up the great work and before you know it i`ll be done and looking awesome.

thanks
pat
p.s. you can use either the KBS coatings or POR 15 i got the KBS coating on line.
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on February 08, 2009, 09:46:41 pm: thanks pat!! good info...

so the KBS coatings is basicly the same idea as using por15?
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: 80stepsideguy on February 08, 2009, 10:16:09 pm: Correct the KBS coatings goes on real nice and flows out so well. Here is their web site

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/

thanks
pat
Title: Re: starting on my '78... few ??'s
Post by: menace1978 on February 09, 2009, 06:07:31 am: awesome! thanks.

Quote from: jay6776 on February 08, 2009, 08:36:01 pm
I give it up to u man. That truck is clean if that was mine it would have just been a repaint.
Looks good you going with the same color?

thanks... same color. i'm starting some advanced auto body classes in march so i can get a better idea on how to tackle the body. she is/was a clean truck but there are things i want to change and she can always be better! plus this has been a life long dream to be able to tear her down and rebuild everything w/ my own hands and she'll be dedicated to my grandpa and dad when finished. be kinda cool to giver back to my dad! maybe...LOL