Now I remember why I hate sandblasting! No, it's not the dirty nasty mess...

It's finding a bunch of hidden things, that are going to need attention, some more than others.

Found out that underneath the cab, towards the rear, looks like swiss cheese! Doesn't look like an "easy" fix, but do-able. Just not sure how far I'll go with it, though. If I get that involved, it's a step closer to "restoration" than a huge "re-do".

On the good side, I received my front cab corners yesterday. Man, they are NICE!! Got them from Northern Classic Trucks. They were recommended on another thread about cab corners. The curves are just right, and look like a very precise fit. Now, when I can afford Reamer's rear cab corners, I'll be set.

Tomorrow, finish blasting the cab, and start on the frame. Took two weeks off, want to get the cab, bed, and frame blasted and in primer, except the frame, which will have chassis saver paint applied.

Some vacation!!

R

 

Now that's progress and a cool vacation to boot, in my opinion. I'm sure the wife isn't thinking the sand being blown around is the same as the ocean breeze sand dunes. lol
Keep up the good work.

 

Hey Roger, I thought you didn't have another restoration in you.

I hate sand blasting. I spent two summers sandblasting trucks, trailers and buses. It seemed if it was above 80º we'd sandblast and if it was below 40º we'd pressure wash the trucks. If I was lucky I'd get to pressure wash the truck then sandblast it, oh what fun! That's why I recommend finding someone to do the bigger jobs like frames and wheels.

I personally think blasting is the best way to find out what needs to be done. If the metal can't hold up to blasting then it needs to be repaired or replaced. I know what you're going through. I know once I get the panel in running order and start tearing it apart to paint I'm going to find a lot of stuff that I can't see now. My F-4 was suppose to be a quickie but once I got into it I just couldn't pass over the problems I found.

Post some pictures if you get a chance, remember, we all like pictures

 

So you are saying that hand sanding, cant find what
the sand blasting can?

 

Blasting will blow all the rust out of every crevice and dimple and if the metal is thin and weak it'll blow holes throught it. You won't be able to find it just by hand sanding. If the metal is thin enough to be blown through it needs to be replaced. Also, by blasting you'll have a good, clean base metal to weld to.

 

Bob - Bob's right...I had wire-wheeled before I blasted. Couldn't see the holes, but as soon as I blasted, looked like a collander! It's primarily under the rear "support" just in front of the rear sheet metal - of course, that's where the water was trapped, or something, that caused the bottom back to rot, baby, rot! Here's a pic of the inside, as found - see the bondo?? See the raised "support" with the hole for the gas tank lines? The rot is under that, coming through underneath...



There's 2 layers there, going to have to replace the underneath layer...here's what I found outside, under 1/2"+ of bondo, and a piece of steel pop-riveted to the back end:







Thus, the saga begins!!



R

 

Man, I thought the grill on that truck was ugly, but not nearly as ugly as that mess!!

 

Yeah, was some quicky-quicky work, by someone along the way. You wanted pictures, I got pictures!! You can see some of them here:

Roger's Bodywork

Bob - here's a few pics of the holes I found:







They're pretty well confined to that area. Not an easy fix, but I've done worse!!

R

 

Hey, Bob!!! I finally found a picture, you might like!! Someone actually took a '51 and made it look like a '48/'50!!!



Nice, eh?? Just can't beat them stripes, can you?? Sorta looks like





R

 

Roger, it looks like water got inside the cross cab box structure. I would consider drilling/cutting the lower metal away from the upper part of the box stucture, sandblasting that inside the box area and then at least priming the inside with weld thru primer prior to replacing the sheet metal on the bottom all in one piect if possible. It will mean having to do a bunch of plug welds to re establish the box. All good fun!
I replaced my front cab corners (mounts) with the pieces that I believe you bought. They were a decent fit. I was glad to be able to get them. They did not have them years ago when I first contemplated doing the floor.

 

Well that's better than a Fool Sandblasting!!...LoL
Rodger, If you get to the point where you think you might want to remove that rear cab beam, the one across the back of the cab?, you should be able to get it made up locally...again, alot of plug-welding, ..I think we know where your going with this project now...LoL!

 

Roger,

Looks like you hit the jack pot of rust!

What are you trying to achieve? Show, daily driver or in between? If the rest of the area is strong you could clean it up as best you can and then coat it with something like POR-15. I think we talked about Frame Saver, I'm sure it would do the same. If you want better I see a lot of work ahead for you.

 

That the only 51 I ever saw that would look better with buck teeth!

 

Looks like you are coming aong great on your truck. I tried Soda Blasting for the first time the other day and loved it. Scott

 

Scott - I like it, but it works out to be pretty expensive, for the handy homeowner, over regular media. But, I keep some, just for throwing in the sandblast booth, when I want to remove just the paint - i.e. the cowl vent, door panels, etc. Did you get a "set-up", or just try it a little bit?

I haven't really gotten into looking at how exactly I'm going to do it - don't know if the beam has to come out, or not. I checked with the only other guy who lives in our small town - he can't make it, so "locally" is out of the question (ha!). It's actually a pretty complex piece, and has a lot going on with it - the seat bolts are there, as well as some pretty curved pieces around the tank hole. I may cut it back, and see just how bad it is inside, although I suspect pretty darn bad. It will be just a good-looking driver, so I can "box" in the tank hole, instead of duplicating the original. I really don't want to get into the cab mounts, if I can help it. I didn't have these plans for the truck, and have to decide how far I want to go with it. If I can stabilize it, prevent further rusting, etc, I might just do that. It would take some sheet metal work, and fabricating, but would be a lot easier than "restoring" the back end! As it is, it only has to out-live me! I don't plan on winning any shows with it.

I think I'm going to jump to the frame, while I ponder what to do. Figure I'll at least get it to the point I can prime most of what I've got cleaned off, so I don't start rusting in OTHER places, and when I get the frame in "Chassis Saver", get the bed blasted and in primer, THEN contemplate repairs to the cab. The worst of it is, I passed on a cab that was totally, and I mean TOTALLY shot, except for the back end. If I had seen what I found then, I would have gotten the cab. Hindsight and foresight...

My biggest problem is that I do every thing 100% alone. NO help whatsoever. So it's always a bit more difficult. In one of the photos, you can see the little "dolly" I made - I pick up the front and roll it around like a wheelbarrow. But, after moving it 15 or 20 times yesterday, to clean up sand, today I can feel every muscle in my arms, legs and back, except the ones that have no feeling left!

Thanks all, I'll keep the list posted...

R