'51 F4 project
#2221
What to do...
Today, I was looking at my to-do list for Betsy and prioritizing the remaining items on my list.
I've kept a log of what I've done to the truck since I got it 4 1/2 years ago. I'm not sure I recorded everything, but there are 116 items listed. Some of those are "duplicates" as I learned how to do things right.
But here's what I have left that I intend to do with Betsy. Let me know if you think I have something in the wrong order.
Repair the passenger side floor. (the reason I bought a welder)
Body work and paint preparation
Remove all glass
Paint
Install all new rubber, windshield, rear window, door glass
Install sound dampener/heat shield
Install headliner kit and visors
Install firewall cover
Install floor mat (no carpet for Betsy)
Install bed wood
Build and install stakes
Repair steering wheel cracks
Recover bench seat
If I paint her myself, I think I can finish these things for under $4,000.
I've kept a log of what I've done to the truck since I got it 4 1/2 years ago. I'm not sure I recorded everything, but there are 116 items listed. Some of those are "duplicates" as I learned how to do things right.
But here's what I have left that I intend to do with Betsy. Let me know if you think I have something in the wrong order.
Repair the passenger side floor. (the reason I bought a welder)
Body work and paint preparation
Remove all glass
Paint
Install all new rubber, windshield, rear window, door glass
Install sound dampener/heat shield
Install headliner kit and visors
Install firewall cover
Install floor mat (no carpet for Betsy)
Install bed wood
Build and install stakes
Repair steering wheel cracks
Recover bench seat
If I paint her myself, I think I can finish these things for under $4,000.
#2222
Hey Joe,
Good List - Motivating me to do the same. I've got a mental list
of items - might make more progress if I organized my thoughts like you.
I've always been intrigued by the tractor paint I've seen members use for their trucks.
It's appropriate for these old trucks. Your budget number can be consumed by just paint if you don't watch it.
Looking good in California!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Good List - Motivating me to do the same. I've got a mental list
of items - might make more progress if I organized my thoughts like you.
I've always been intrigued by the tractor paint I've seen members use for their trucks.
It's appropriate for these old trucks. Your budget number can be consumed by just paint if you don't watch it.
Looking good in California!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
#2223
Hey Joe,
Good List - Motivating me to do the same. I've got a mental list
of items - might make more progress if I organized my thoughts like you.
I've always been intrigued by the tractor paint I've seen members use for their trucks.
It's appropriate for these old trucks. Your budget number can be consumed by just paint if you don't watch it.
Looking good in California!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Good List - Motivating me to do the same. I've got a mental list
of items - might make more progress if I organized my thoughts like you.
I've always been intrigued by the tractor paint I've seen members use for their trucks.
It's appropriate for these old trucks. Your budget number can be consumed by just paint if you don't watch it.
Looking good in California!
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
#2224
#2225
Joe, you have approached each item on your truck with care and dilegence, and imho, I don't think paint and body work would be any different for you. Mine isn't perfect, but I am happy with how it came out and the fact that I did it myself, makes any flaws acceptable The guys here that do it for a living were more than happy to answer any specific questions that I had, which helped me so much. So I agree with ed.
#2226
#2227
Your truck looks great! Did you paint it in a booth or garage or outside?
#2228
Joe, you have approached each item on your truck with care and dilegence, and imho, I don't think paint and body work would be any different for you. Mine isn't perfect, but I am happy with how it came out and the fact that I did it myself, makes any flaws acceptable The guys here that do it for a living were more than happy to answer any specific questions that I had, which helped me so much. So I agree with ed.
I know that the preparation is at least as important as the paint, and probably more important. I think I only have a couple of areas left for body work; a small dent in the left fender and some work on the roof.
But I have never disassembled a vehicle before, and really don't have room to do it here. I want to install all new rubber, and some of the original is missing altogether. And I'm thinking I may have to remove the bed again to paint the back of the cab.
It's things like this that keep the new paint on the back burner. I enjoy driving the truck now, and really am not ready to take it out of commission yet.
#2229
Thanks Bobby. I'm an adequate rattle can painter, but I've never attempted painting a vehicle. I get what you're saying about the non-metallic paint, and I have been having an internal fight over what color to go with, like so many others on FTE. Betsy was originally Silvertone Gray, and I've seen some others' trucks repainted in that color and they looked good. But I really like blue or red trucks, so the jury's still out on the color.
#2231
I'll have to look into that VW paint to see what you mean.
#2232
Joe, you have approached each item on your truck with care and dilegence, and imho, I don't think paint and body work would be any different for you. Mine isn't perfect, but I am happy with how it came out and the fact that I did it myself, makes any flaws acceptable The guys here that do it for a living were more than happy to answer any specific questions that I had, which helped me so much. So I agree with ed.
But first things first, I bought a welder to replace the rotted out section of the passenger floor. I'm not going to start on that until after the Salute to Veterans Parade coming at the end of April.
This year my passenger in the parade will be a very dear friend, 96 year old Pearl Harbor Survivor, Roger Marron, whom I met through the Boy Scouts when I took Wood Badge training in 1989. Here he is in 1940, fresh out of boot camp.
#2234
#2235
I just spent the last week and a half reading through the whole thread.
Joe you have done an excellent job so far. I'm also happy to see the truck is still being used. Nothing sadder than a truck that doesnt "work" anymore.
My dad had one like that when I was a young buck in SLO. It got stolen though in 79 or 80. He still has the title somewhere incase it is ever found. His was used for taking crops to the farmers market back then.
Joe you have done an excellent job so far. I'm also happy to see the truck is still being used. Nothing sadder than a truck that doesnt "work" anymore.
My dad had one like that when I was a young buck in SLO. It got stolen though in 79 or 80. He still has the title somewhere incase it is ever found. His was used for taking crops to the farmers market back then.