Ok guys,I'm wanting to start the bodywork on my '76 f100 in the near future.It has alot of surface rust on the exterior of the body especially on top of the cab.What is the best method of removing this short of going 400 miles for an acid dip.I don't want to spend mondo amounts of money and time just to have the rust come back in a couple years.Any input would be appreciated.

 

I'm restoring a 76 also, and rust is a huge problem, especially of having the misfortune of living on the east coast. I've had to replace the bed due to the front of it having rusted away, and I've had to replace the hood because of rust holes. I still have some surface rust in all the usual areas, the roof, on top of the rear fenders, etc. What I plan on doing is sanding it down with a power sander and 800 grit paper and then primering it before I take her to paint in the spring

 

Thanks for the reply.I thought of sanding it down the best I could myself as you stated.I also thought of trying to be really careful with a sand blaster.I've just seen too many nice paint jobs that in 2 years you can see rust coming thru.Mine is a Ranger xlt as well.I was going to remove alot of the trim but that will depend on how well my bodywork skills turn out to be.If you can post some pics of your truck,I'd like to see it.

 

Sand it down the best you can, then use a rust converter on it like rasonill. Check out autobodystore.com, they have a great discussion board and also sell products at great prices. The discussion section is in the classroom link. I am not affiliated with them but found them to be very helpfull with bodywork and painting. They also have one of the best painting videos I have come across. They are also developing a bodywork video. I highly recommend this site to anyone planning on bodywork and painting. Don't get me wrong this site we are on right now is also a great source of info, however the other site I mentioned is frequented by many proffesional bodymen and painters who are more than happy to give up there welth of knowledge.

 

Hey thanks alot,I'll check it out in a few minutes.

 

motorhead, I went out to take some pictures of my truck today, and it just decides to start raining, and since I didn't feel like buying my grandpa a new digital camera, i went inside. when i did finally get back out, it was slightly dark so the pics aren't great, so I'll try again later.

 

cool,look forward to seeing them.I've got a '78 f100 that I'm trying to get in dependable condition so I can refurbish my '76.What big plans do you have for yours?I love talking about all the kickin' stuff I'd do if I had the cash.

 

check out my gallery, I decided to post them anyway. my truck looks better in the dark! haha

 

I like the pics,so what are your plans?Noticed you have the same door panels I have.Have you seen any place to get the deluxe panelsfrom?Mine are real bad but all I've seen are standard for sale.

 

did you notice the screws keeping them from rattling? haha, you can get them from JCWhitney, but they're kind of expensive. When I re-do my interior I think I'm just going to spray them the color as everthing else with some vinyl acrylic. In the spring I'm getting her painted, a nice shade of blue, so I'm also re-doing the interior so it won't clash with the outside. I'm getting a set of flowtech headers soon, and they will be coupled to a set of flowtech Purple Hornies header mufflers. after that comes an aluminum dual plane intake to sit my rebuilt holley 650 on.(fuel mileage sucks already, so why not add some horses?) Then all the usual dress up features so that it doesn't look like shiny in between *****, some chrome valve covers, new plug wires (still has the originals) and a chrome air cleaner with a K&N.