learning about paint, body work, and rust

Gretsch · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 10:53 AM

Good morning guys, Can you take a gander at this ebay listing and tell me your thoughts? I'm still learning what to look for and when to raise the red flag of "this will cost a fortune to repair"

Let's look at the example below - I love the body style of the '40 trucks but I'm seeing quite a bit of rust -- looks like the cancer could be under quite a bit of the paint. Looks as if there is a hole in the roof patched with bondo too. What do your much more experienced eyes see and question? Remedies?

Ford : Other Pickups:eBay Motors (item 110444244456 end time Oct-17-09 09:14:59 PDT)

Appreciate it,
Andy

Gretsch · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 12:54 PM

Hope I'm not crossing some imaginary line by asking about a specific truck.

rusthunter · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 01:28 PM

why spend the time covering up these problems. The paint bubble is from rust coming thru.If these are such obvious probelms why spend the time to paint and what else is cover up. The running boards look to be pitted signs lead to a half a$$ job what else is half way done. Patch panel are expensive to install in time and labor.I think if you cannot inspect first I would pass on this one.

Gretsch · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 01:38 PM

thanks rusthunter, this is for my education only, I'm not interested in purchasing this truck because of my lack of experience.

This truck just caught my eye for the body style and upon closer inspection of the paint/rust issues it looks like the rust could be under most of the paint! I would love to learn more concerning what could be lurking out of sight and require major $$$ repairs.

So for my education... what would be the answer to 'fixing' this? A complete sand blast? You really don't know how deep the rust is or how much there is until one removes the paint correct? Can paint still stick to a rusty under surface and bubble up only later?

The roof looks like a bondoed hole, correct?

rusthunter · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 02:10 PM

I think going to the areas and sanding down w/ a palm sander to see how bad it really is. This one look like it is being eaten from the inside out water inside the door bad glass seal or no primer or paint has been slosh inside the door.I could not relly tell a lot from the roof pic will go back look again. thanks Andrew

COMPLIT1107 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 06:39 PM

$ 0.02 MORE

Roof looks like something ate thru paint and primer, never fixed and rust is result.

Yeah, Rusthunter is correct, The doors are rusting inside out. The line of bubbles is where the bottom door skin attaches to the door's inner box. Water lays in the bottom and rusts. After a while, it eats through the door skin. Lots of blasting and welding to fix correctly. Front fender shows the same as moisture lays in the "curl" under the fender edge and rots from inside to outside. (More blasting and welding).

Just say the truck is worth ~ $20K really tight. You'll have at least $6-8K time and $ getting right just what you can see.

P.S. But some of us idiots don't count labor, as we work for free (and aren't building it to sell to the highest bidder).

mprsox · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 10:22 AM

hi,
I agree with the last post. the truck is worth a few thousand just in parts, if it runs, worth a few thousand more, so 6k seems ok. if you need to contract out the bodywork to a shop it will cost another 4-6k. If you can do it yourself, alot of labor and less than $1,000 for sure, so its not a bad deal.

depends on what you want, a decent driver that you can learn on and experiment, ok.

to get it in top shape would be 15,000 more, but still would be a very unique ride. or just but it, drive it as is and fix it up as time goes by........

would definitely ask to have it inspected as a simple precaution, just to be sure the brakes and lights work!

good luck!

Gretsch · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009, 09:03 PM

Thank you so much for the responses guys! Very good information.

Chaosracing · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 10:51 PM

Here is my $.02 Do plenty of research if you have never done body work or dont know of anyone that has. One idea is to go to car/truck shows and find stuff that you like. Then ask the owner if they did the work or hired someone (or bought it that way). Most people are glad to help others out and answer questions. Another thing you should do is if you decide on a certain vehicle (say 40's style Ford truck) try and find some sources for parts (even before you buy one). I have a 47 one ton, so some parts are very few and far between, while others are real easy to come by. If you pick a 32 Ford coupe, well the possibilities are endless as some companies are reproducing the whole body.

Another thing to remember when looking to buy something, just because its all shiney and nice looking, doesnt mean that someone didnt just slap some bondo on and a new paint job. I prefer to find stuff that I definatly know needs work, and it shows.

e-tek · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 08:26 PM

Some good info here. Not a bad ride for the price. If you had it mechanically inspected and the engine, running gear, electrical was good, I'd buy it and drive it. If you want to learn body work, looks like a good one to start on!

I'm guessing it has fibreglass running boards. I like them for longevity.