MY 78 s/w project

[Grover 1]

My 78 Silverado is in the body shop.  It's getting a complete tear down.  I'm going to have it done in Butternut Yellow, a Chevy color from the late 60's.  I'm going to use this for my daily driver so it's going to be done in Valspar primer.  you can get the primer in any color you want.  I'm gong for the rat rod look.  I never liked that look, but after seeing some finished vehicles, I'm kinda diggin' it.  Under the hood and the interior will be done more in a show quality.  I'm just going with the primer, steel wheels, dog dish caps, ect.  Here are some starting pics.  By next week I'll have the bed off, glass out and be rebuilding the doors, new rubber and window motors.

[SUX2BU99]

Always exciting to have a new coat on the truck! Is the topcoat just going to be primer though? Why not topcoat in a satin or flat finish single-stage paint? I've always known primers to not be suitable as topcoats because they can absorb moisture and have poor UV protection. Maybe modern primers are better now.

[Grover 1]

Yes this primer is made to be the end result if need be.  I may eventually cover over it but this will be good for now.  The price is about 1/3 the cost of a "real" paint job considering the less prep work needed and the cost of materials.  As this is going to be my driver, i don't want to invest 6,000 on a paint job.

[VileZambonie]

Looks good. Here's a suggestion though. Put the door seals in and close the doors to get a good fitment if you want clean lines (which are the biggest flaw with these trucks)

[Grover 1]

Vile, do you mean put the seals in and close the doors before trying for good fitment?

[VileZambonie]

Yeah, for fender alignment, rocker and cab corner etc. The seal makes a big difference when you're trying to get those nice body lines.

[VileZambonie]

Do you have some pics of before it went into the body shop?

[Grover 1]

Here are some before pictures.

[Grover 1]

As you can see, it was a very clean truck before I started.  The only rust it had was under the wheel well trim on the LF fender.  I also chose it because it is a "loaded" truck.  Complete with auto trans, power windows, locks, air conditioning, cruise, tilt, dual tanks ect.  Oddly enough the cruise still works!  Here's a question, keep in mind this is going to be a primered "rat rod" kinda look, should I leave the stainless trim under and around the rear window?  Also, should I leave the slider in the rear or put a piece of flat glass in instead?

[1983stepside]

As you can see, it was a very clean truck before I started.  The only rust it had was under the wheel well trim on the LF fender.  I also chose it because it is a "loaded" truck.  Complete with auto trans, power windows, locks, air conditioning, cruise, tilt, dual tanks ect.  Oddly enough the cruise still works!  Here's a question, keep in mind this is going to be a primered "rat rod" kinda look, should I leave the stainless trim under and around the rear window?  Also, should I leave the slider in the rear or put a piece of flat glass in instead?

thats a nice truck grover 1, and i like how your going with the rat rod look, or shop look, i would leave the slider, and the trim going around the back of the cab but thats just my .2cents 

[VileZambonie]

I would redo it the way you have it in black. I love that truck

[Grover 1]

Thanks guys.  Vile, keeping black vehicles clean in the Northwest where it rains a lot is  chore.  You know my 75 is black so rather than having two black, I decided on the yellow - we'll see though, it's not written in stone, there's always Hugger Orange!

[Grover 1]

Here is a "test' area spray of the color yellow I'm going with.  It's very whitish with  touch of yellow. 

[Lucky73]

Really nice truck,and one fully loaded,SWEET.primer looks great when its fresh,but in my opinion keep it oil and grease free.that stuff is hard to get off.keep us posted.

[VileZambonie]

So what's up with this thing? I still wish you kept it black or just sold it to me!