Howdy,

I've been told by the powers that be within my family
that my '68 f250 is not acceptable unless it is painted
(so there). I don't object too much to the looks
since I think the shabby look keeps it from being stolen
and also tends to mask the importance of fixing
any additional dings if I go 4 wheeling with it.
But if I paint it (and maybe put A/C in it and some kind
of step bar), the SO might condescend to ride in it
and accompany me to the local pizza joint in style.
In absolute terms, it's probably at the stage in
which purists would opt for a new cab, but I am
not so concerned at that level at this time.

Right now the paint job appears to be a ~25 year
old red/white/blue "farm boy special" with generous application
of Bondo. The amount of rust showing is considerable.
Although at first glance there seem to be a lot of dents,
It appears that I could squeak by with 1 "new" fender
on pass. side, plus a pass. side door though only if I feel
really industrious.

I've got lots of time (a separate topic) and not much
money.

I'm thinking strip existing
paint, perhaps with chemicals or a wire thingie on
a power drill, then Bondo and/or fiberglass to hide the dents
(or maybe some kind of welding), then some kind
of primer maybe, then a few rattlecan coats in
the old red/white/blue tri-tone pattern.

For the rattlecan stuff, I am looking for something
that inhibits rust as much as possible, sticks to the
metal no matter what as much as possible,
and is as flat (not glossy) as possible.

I wonder if people can advise me on type and brand:
enamel, epoxy, lacquer, other; and
Rustoleum, Krylon, whatever.

Again, not showroom quality, but something that
functions as a basic hide-the-eyesore-for-the-SO-and
-neighborhood and inhibits rust.

Right at the moment, I am being tempted by
Rustoleum 7790 (flat white), 7763
(Carnival Red), and 7727 (Royal Blue). But those
are enamels and I am wondering if epoxy
would hold to metal better when it flexes,
as in if or when someone accidentally steps on
the hood or cab roof.

Thanks,

-Steve
'68 f250 4x4
etc.

 

<br>
Take a look at Zero Rust. It sounds like it's just what you need.

The positives
The stuff is waterproof and stops rust dead. The closer to the metal you get, the better it works. About $50 a gallon or $8 in rattle cans.

The negatives
Two or 3 coats will give you a soft semi-gloss. Exposer to the sun will turn it flat. There is a limited selection of colors available.

I did a buddies truck in ZR black. The plan was to paint the truck later but he never did. He loved the old hot rod primer look.

 

Sounds as if I could do with ~2 cans each of ZR white,
safety red and safety blue.

Is online/direct phone ordering the only way?
I'm in the SF Bay area.

-Steve
'68 f250
etc.

 

<br>
Three cheers for the red, white and blue

I live in a town of about 120,000 people. I have found it in only 2 locations. An auto paint store and a structual steel supply business. I believe their main focus is the industrial field so most likely, you won't find it in places like Home Depot or Pep Boys.

You might try contacting them by email to see it there is a local business in your area so you can avoid shipping costs. If all else fails, I have an URL of a web site where they sell small quantities.

 

ZR responded to my email inquiry in a timely manner
with the name of a local retail paint store ZR distributor
in my town.

As to the red, white, and blue motif, that is a holdover
from the previous owners. I'm just a stickler for tradition
so I decided to follow the existing color scheme

I'm putting this sub-project on hold for a while until
I get a sudden engine oil problem under control
(stay tuned...)

-Steve
'68 f250 4x4
etc.

 

The ZR people have always been real good with me too. Great service and a great product.

Good luck on the oil leak.

 

Thanks.

(BTW I think I discovered the source of the oil problem.
I had left the truck with Circuit City last week to have them
install a radio. On Monday I happened to glance at
my oil gauge and saw I had no pressure. I found I
was a couple quarts low and by mistake replaced it
with 30W instead of 10W40 (this is a FE360 engine).
That and other things had no effect, so last night
I changed both the oil and oil filter, again with no
effect. That led me to suspect the oil sending unit,
where sure enough the wire had been broken
at the terminal at the top of the sending unit.
When I hold the wire to the terminal, presto,
instant oil pressure according to the dash gauge...
So my excuse not to paint the truck is a bit thin
at the moment... )

-Steve
'68 f250 4x4
etc.

 

i painted my 77 f150 with about 20 cans or so of white. i had first done the body work and put good primer on it, it was like that for about a year then one day spray paint was on sale for .99 cents a can!! so i bought 20 cans and went to town, i only got one run on the whole truck, and anytime i went wheelin i jus had to pull out a can and i could touch up all the scratches in no time. if your sanding it all down anyway i would say go all white ... itll hide dents and dings the best.