Starting of Body Work

[86gmc23]

Well just came to the conclusion that I dont want to build my trucks 305, but instead wait to find a good 350. So for now I think I will start on the body/interior. Going to be needing to weld in some patch panels but dont have a welder yet. So I was wondering if I should get a product like Por15 on the bad spots now so they dont get worse?

This is my "new" baby, and also my first project I call "Project Resume" lol, so maybe one day I'll get into a custom shop =)

Also by the looks of this door do you think it would be better to replace or fix metal? (under tape is a rust hole)

[VileZambonie]

Replace it.

[86gmc23]

Thats really what I was thinking. Will the cab corner patch panels work on this?

[Swims350]

cab corners will work perfect on that, cut out the rust, like an inch above the rust, and put in the new patch panel. As for the door yea, find another or buy a shell. I would coat the inside of things with something like por15. Like when you cut out the rusted cab corner, do the inside in it and maybe the backside of it just to help prevent further rust. The new piece does have edp primer and it helps alot itself.

[86gmc23]

Was looking at the po15 website and they have alot of stuff. Which product would I use for that.

[Swims350]

the regular por15. topcoat is only for areas where sun can hit, they have the metal ready and something else marine clean or something for prep to do before you put it on.

There's alot of other products maybe cheaper that are about the same, like zero rust and miracle paint.

I personally have used por15 by itself no prep stuff, and zero rust same way, I think the por15 went further, I done the entier floor in my monte carlo with it and done the back frame of dad's 84 with zero rust and didn't have enough.

[86gmc23]

Thats good. I'm still kinda lost on this project, just not knowing where to start. So me and my boy pulled bench seat out and the carpet to check for rust and it looks pretty solid. See some small patched spots on floor board but dont think its to bad.

[86gmc23]

Is this the regular stuff your talking about?

http://www.por15.com/POR-15/productinfo/1GB/

[Swims350]

yea that's the stuff used in step 3 and it's what I used, man the price raised, I bought mine for like $35 a quart. Good to see you got help, I got started on a 76 truck with my dad back when I was 13, been at it ever since. SO almost 13 years for me and I've moved to me doing it all and him lending a hand or watching.

[86gmc23]

Always wanted my dad to be into this stuff but never was. So soon as I came across this truck at this price I couldnt hold up. Plus my son loves working on my wifes mustang with me so now we have a real project to start together. He's 4 now so if this works out he'll have a good record lol

[86gmc23]

If you were in my shoes with a tight budget starting a project where would you start? Engine deal isn't what I want so not worried about starting that until I find a good 350. I've been welding for last 5+ years and just got in a Firestone as a tech. Would like to start welding new metal in but dont have a welder yet so that will have to wait. Was thinking of stopping all rust from spreading any more, already removed bench seat so maybe clean inside to seal/sound proof. 

[86gmc23]

Has anyone installed this (or similar) Power Window Kit, Power Lock Kit, and/or Keyless remote?

How about ordering from  ? Do they send detailed instructions with kits like these?

[Swims350]

I know all about a tight budget I can't afford to buy parts right now LOL. I'd start on the metal work for getting the body done, but if there's anything you want done inside do it now. I would clean, sand prime, paint, undercoat, whatever you are going to do inside before I laid down any carpet, padding, or sound deadening that ay it's done. Like stereo upgrades, wiring, guages, seats anything like that. I think I'd rather have the motor in before paint to avoid scratches and hand prints and such, but you can work around those with fender covers and such.

I usually try to get it running and driving first, then customize it. Alot of the times body work is right in with it because here to get one legal has to pass visual inspection, so no rust holes.

[jaredts]

I guess everyone's different, but the rust holes just drive me nuts, so I concentrated on getting a decent welder up and going first.  Is there any reason you couldn't just start looking around for a welder?  Trying to stop the rust from spreading without cutting it out and fixing it right seems to me to be a waste of time.  Not only will you probably fail to keep it from spreading, you'll be spending valuable time on metal that really just needs cut out.

[86gmc23]

Would love to cut it out right now, if I had a welder. Maybe I'll look into a decent welder and start there. Anyone have any setups they like for doing body/chassis work? Would like a 110 setup since I'm renting and dont want to put money into electric to accommodate a 220.

Now Swims350, I have ZERO experience with painting. So when you say sand prime, do you mean after I clean surface, prime it and sand it smooth, then put down like a por15 product before sound deadening?