Painting One Panel at a Time in the Driveway

[sclor]

Thought I would get this started to see if we have any other do it yourself body work/painters. Truck is a 1966 1000 series fenderside that I bought in 2005 a few months before Hurricane Katrina. Maiden voyage was to deposit remains of my refrigerator when I got back from the storm in a nearby dumpster (no license, no insurance, etc., but we were in storm conditions, Officer). First picture is the diamond in the rough so you get some perspective.

Paint is urethane single stage Speed Blue and GM Truck white purchased online here:
http://www.tcpglobal.com/RestorationShop/
Very reasonable prices and product has been terrific from my newby perspective. Painting has been weekend projects to strip, cut out rust, weld in new metal, body work, prime and paint one panel at a time in my driveway. Colors aren't original, but close picks that I made from Restoration Shop's color chart.

Cut out rust and welded in new cab corners, rockers, fender bottoms, door skin, patch on hood, etc. Second picture gives you a glimpse of progress.

So Steve, you bought the truck in 2005 and it's not done? Well, you see the seven year old in the first picture? He is 15 now and his passion is high school lacrosse, so weekends during lacrosse season are spoken for and the GMC gets done when it can. I am sure you understand. Last picture is where she is currently. Have kept her driveable throughout which has been a pleasure. I have great respect for guys that do frame off resto, but it just was too much for me on my first attempt.

That's my story. Hope you folks enjoy.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[Corts60]

Wow that looks great Steve! I hope my homemade paint job turns out that nice when I'm done.

[sclor]

Cort:
Thanks. I like these websites if you would like to start reading up on it before you dive in:
http://autobodystore.com/forum/forum.php
http://autobody101.com/forums/
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/body-exterior/

Let me know when you are ready to get started and I can give you some ideas on products/materials to use.

Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[GVDobler]

Original color or not, that is very nice work.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

yeah it is! I like that color combo more than just about any other. I'm considering that for mine if I don't decide to go with a "patina" look

is your boy showing any interest in the truck?

[sclor]

GV Dobler:
Thanks for the compliment.

Fetch:
He is 15 now and rides with me in it often. On the body and mechanical work, he has not taken a great interest. As I mentioned above, his big interest is playing lacrosse. He has his learners' permit, so I want to show him how to drive a standard so he can chauffeur me in it.

Here's a few more pictures since you seem to have some interest. Can you say cornerectomy?
Regards,
Steve

[FetchMeAPepsi]

good work on the corner. Do you have any in between? ive got to bang out my pass door and it will be my first bodywork that wasnt just a simple dent pull with a suction cup. I'm lookin for tips and tricks from someone that has been down this road and got good results like that.

[sclor]

Fetch:
Unfortunately, I don't take a lot of pictures. I don't have any in between the two on the left corner. Two on the right corner are similar to these. Best advice I have is to read over the Classroom section of this website:
http://www.autobodystore.com/martinsr.shtml

Brian Martin who wrote these up is a real bodyman with an interest in sharing the trade. The autobodystore forum is great about answering questions as well. The forum responses are searchable and contain a wealth of info and all is free.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[sclor]

I hadn't posted in a while, but sprayed some more paint last weekend. Thought I would give you a few pictures of progress.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[jbgroby]

Steve's truck gave me the idea for mine. Our colors are so close its hard to tell.