Radiator Support
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 7,684
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
Hopefully it is better quality than a fender I got from them for my '97, less than 20,000 miles on it and it had 9 cracks, found one in a wrecking yard and replaced it.
I also grabbed the core support so I could have a spare.
I also grabbed the core support so I could have a spare.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
It's definitely better than the one that is currently in the truck. 
The hood that I got from them seemed pretty solid. I don't even have 1000 miles on it yet. Again, it is much better than the one that was on the truck.
The hood that I got from them seemed pretty solid. I don't even have 1000 miles on it yet. Again, it is much better than the one that was on the truck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 46
From: New Hampshire
Before you paint - Measure
As I wrote above:
Take pictures of the original with tape measure and of the LMC unit with tape measure as proof.
Otherwise, prep as described.
Make it fun.
"Very important you measure the overall width and height of the LMC unit and that of the OEM support. Take pictures of the hood/fender spacing before you remove the support. Not all aftermarket supports are the same size of the OEM parts. Any difference will show once reassembled in the spacing between the fenders and the hood. Knowing size can help you adjust the position of the support to minimize the difference when it goes back onto the truck.
If the measurements are wrong, send it back. They should pay for return freight. Measure twice to be sure.Take pictures of the original with tape measure and of the LMC unit with tape measure as proof.
Otherwise, prep as described.
Make it fun.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
As I wrote above:
Take pictures of the original with tape measure and of the LMC unit with tape measure as proof.
Otherwise, prep as described.
Make it fun.
"Very important you measure the overall width and height of the LMC unit and that of the OEM support. Take pictures of the hood/fender spacing before you remove the support. Not all aftermarket supports are the same size of the OEM parts. Any difference will show once reassembled in the spacing between the fenders and the hood. Knowing size can help you adjust the position of the support to minimize the difference when it goes back onto the truck.
If the measurements are wrong, send it back. They should pay for return freight. Measure twice to be sure.Take pictures of the original with tape measure and of the LMC unit with tape measure as proof.
Otherwise, prep as described.
Make it fun.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 46
From: New Hampshire
Keep in mind your hands transfer oils to the metal. If you wear latex gloves when sanding you reduce the likelihood of oil transfer from your hands. Oils from your hand cause the paint to fisheye, which is a royal pain to cure. If you don't use gloves, after you sand and rinse/blow off the dust, it might be a good idea to wash the mount a second time with wax and grease remover.
Wear latex gloves once you clean it down. It's the ounce of protection that limits a pound of cure.
Have fun.
Wear latex gloves once you clean it down. It's the ounce of protection that limits a pound of cure.
Have fun.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
I measured the replacement radiator core support and the one in the truck. Everything looks good! Same dimensions everywhere I measured. Width looks good and height looks good. I will make sure to take good pictures of the spacing between the hood and fender and such when I'm closer to ready to go.
I've got plenty of nitrile gloves. I'll make sure to wear them anytime my hands get close to the radiator core support after the first wash. I'll probably go ahead and do the second wash with wax and grease remover, just in case. Nitrile gloves can rip and so forth, so I'll just plan on doing the second wash. I am planning to take it really slow, and, like you say, have fun with it.
I've got plenty of nitrile gloves. I'll make sure to wear them anytime my hands get close to the radiator core support after the first wash. I'll probably go ahead and do the second wash with wax and grease remover, just in case. Nitrile gloves can rip and so forth, so I'll just plan on doing the second wash. I am planning to take it really slow, and, like you say, have fun with it.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,377
Likes: 609
From: evansville in
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Yeah, just okay. Your directions were good, but my ability to execute them was not. The paint looks good overall, but I struggled with the seam sealer. It seemed to cure much more quickly than I thought it might, and smoothing it became nearly impossible as a result. So, most of the seams look pretty rough. It’ll get the job done, though. It probably looks just like you’d expect for the first body part someone had ever painted. That was good advice on wearing a respirator, especially during the clearcoat application. The fumes from the clearcoat were powerful! I’m a little too shy to post pictures of it. Just look at a picture of the LMC support, and imagine it in oxford white with rough looking seams.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 46
From: New Hampshire
Nobody will see the seams once it's all back together.
That clear 2 part coating is tough and will help keep the rust from starting.
AFTER installed and you don't need to touch it again, buy yourself a can or two of Blaster Surface Shield.
Spray that stuff only when you are sure you are done, else you will hate yourself for using it if you have to work on or near the radiator support.
It will keep the water away if you reapply it as instructed. It also will hide your seam issues.
That clear 2 part coating is tough and will help keep the rust from starting.
AFTER installed and you don't need to touch it again, buy yourself a can or two of Blaster Surface Shield.
Spray that stuff only when you are sure you are done, else you will hate yourself for using it if you have to work on or near the radiator support.
It will keep the water away if you reapply it as instructed. It also will hide your seam issues.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Nobody will see the seams once it's all back together.
That clear 2 part coating is tough and will help keep the rust from starting.
AFTER installed and you don't need to touch it again, buy yourself a can or two of Blaster Surface Shield.
Spray that stuff only when you are sure you are done, else you will hate yourself for using it if you have to work on or near the radiator support.
It will keep the water away if you reapply it as instructed. It also will hide your seam issues.
That clear 2 part coating is tough and will help keep the rust from starting.
AFTER installed and you don't need to touch it again, buy yourself a can or two of Blaster Surface Shield.
Spray that stuff only when you are sure you are done, else you will hate yourself for using it if you have to work on or near the radiator support.
It will keep the water away if you reapply it as instructed. It also will hide your seam issues.
I did get a can of Surface Shield, but I am curious to hear your thoughts about it versus Fluid Film.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 46
From: New Hampshire
Personally, I use Woolwax. Same formula as Fluid Film, but without the odor.
Go to https://www.woolwaxusa.com/ and read about the product. Bob Smith is the owner. Call him and ask him why he thinks his product is better. Expect bias, but learn from him what's best for your truck. BTW: he used to work for Fluid Film.
Go to https://www.woolwaxusa.com/ and read about the product. Bob Smith is the owner. Call him and ask him why he thinks his product is better. Expect bias, but learn from him what's best for your truck. BTW: he used to work for Fluid Film.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
That's very cool! It looks like it's a little harder to find than Fluid Film, but the lack of odor would be nice, and it looks from some videos on there that it might lay on a little thicker. It might hold on better.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 46
From: New Hampshire
I bought directly from Woolwax. If you speak with Bob he may give you a discount code, especially if you buy a kit like I did with the gun and an aerosol can, which was vey helpful to get inside door panels and jams.