About to start stripping paint/rust from cab, cab is removed. Going to use wirebrushes, air sander and maybe some stripper (Don't have sand blaster)to remove paint and rust. Thinking of using epoxy primer after to cover and then work on dent removal etc. Just looking for feed back or information on any dos or don't or additional steps. Thanks

 

First off....welcome to the forum.

If your cab is in good shape, without rust holes and giant dents, you're probably on the right track.

I did have a car body blasted with plastic media a few years ago...it had at least 5 coats of paint. I think it was around $1200 to blast it...with no body damage since the guy knew his business, and used plastic media....then put on a coat of epoxy primer before any flash rust showed up on the bare steel.

At the time, I wanted to move the project along a litte, so it was worth it to have the blasting done. Factor in what a few gallons of paint remover and sanding disks will cost & it wasn't a bad deal.

Careful with wire wheels on your angle grinder...even good wheels send off a few loose wires, so gloves, an apron, and safety glasses are required.

Dan

 

water blasting could be an option. check this thread for info https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-my-frame.html

 

I have been doing the same to mine for the last couple of weeks when time permitted. I sheeted a pallet with plywood and put casters on it, then mounted the cab to it so I could move it in and out of the shop. Worked well and was cheap.

If found that some 180 grit sandpaper on my Porter Cable 6" random orbital sander ripped through the paint really well. I started with a wire wheel on the grinder, but the sander was much smoother and faster. I used the sander on everything I could get to and then went by hand on the places it wouldn't fit. I haven't tried chemical stripper before, so I can't comment on that.

I did, however, use the wire wheel/grinder on the bottom of the cab. I just brushed it clean and then used Rustoleum bedliner material ($44/gal at Walmart) and rolled/brushed it on for undercoating - worked well).

Did some filler and just hit it with primer last weekend to see where I am at. Did a guide coat today and refreshed my memory as to how much I have to learn about body work. I use UPOL primer, so I don't know anything about the epoxy primer. Had a friend that used it and wasn't happy with the results, but I know many people swear by it, so check around.

 

I removed all the paint on my truck body this year. I hired someone else to sandblast the box and did the cab, fenders, hood, etc. myself. I used aircraft stripper on the majority of it. I used 2 gal. at about $35 each. You need to be careful about the fumes. A proper mask and good ventilation is important. My DA sander got used plenty but not the grinder with a wire brush. I used that on the frame and a few small areas, but not on the sheet metal. For some small spots my air die grinder with a wire brush worked out pretty good. As I finished the various pieces I washed them with Simple Green using a 3M pad, dried them with a leaf blower, wiped them down with wax and grease remover, and sprayed on a coat of ppg epoxy primer. I had more time than money and it worked out good without spending a bunch. Hope this helps.

Grant

 

Thanks Grant,

Sounds like we are thinking along the same lines.