I am repainting my flatty for a spring invitational show. The paint I used last time only lasted 1500 miles and is discolored and flaking. I am going to paint it red again, and would like some opinions on the best paint to use. I prefer to use spray can, but could fire up the gun if necessary.

Randy:-X11

 

When I painted mine 10K ago I used Eastwood's engine paint (Ford Light blue) in rattle cans. Paint is holding up well, but is oil streaked as you'd expect.

I think the surface prep is the secret to whatever paint you use. Got a gallon of Castrol's Super Clean at NAPA and brushed it on full strength, hosed it off and let it dry. Paint is sticking tight. Painted the heads using their HI-TEMP air dry paint in silver. Discoloration due to dirt and grease, but paint is sticking there too.

Good luck,
Tim

 

Randy, congrats on the invite to the show. I will be there in the swap meet. Will make sure I get inside to see your truck.

 

Just got the gallery going yesterday. Put some pics of my '50 on it if you care to check it out.

Randy

 

Randy,
Great looking ride you have there! You have something you can be proud of. I only have a before picture in my gallery. Have been too busy driving and finishing odds and ends to get the finished pics scanned. One of these days, I promise.
One question about your bench seat. Is that recovered stock or did you find a substitute?
Tim

 

Are you sure that is a 48? Front grill resembles a 51 or 52????? Although one might be able to swap grills with a bit of work...never really thought of that. jim
http://www.48f-1.com

 

That is the stock seat that I had repadded and recovered at a local shop. It's not top quality work, but the price was reasonable. About $200 if memory serves me.

Randy

 

Good eye! It really is a '48 - vin 88RC****** It had been wrecked at some point in its life and it arrived wearing a whole 52 deluxe front end. I swapped it for a perfect 49 F3 so the style is now correct even if the wheel openings are a little too big. I'm running 16" wheels with 215-85-16 radials, so that helps to fill it out.

The front ends swap complete, but not in pieces. The parting lines and joints for the lower fender are different on the 51/52 models and the lower valance is a different width. The grill panel itself should interchange, but you'd likely have to redrill some bolt holes.

Tim

And no, I don't have the 52 front end anymore. Had to sell it to help finance the frame-up rebuild.

 

Some hybrid! 48 this...51 one that.....You have a conversation piece just by showing up. I suspected much about replacing grills since the truck itself is pretty basic. Ford spent little money in actually changing the truck dimensions until 53 so it wouldnt surprise me that you could swap grills. Just never really thought about it. I have a 48 but admire the 51-52 grills...kind of tougher looking.jim
http://www.48f-1.com