picked her up from the painter today...finally time for final assembly
any tips on how not to scratch it.

 

Beautiful!

I'd be tempted to let it sit for a couple weeks and really harden up before working on it any more!

 

omg thats beautiful!

 

Ditto! sit back and admire it for awhile, and grab a bunch of blankets and socks for protection later on.

 

I agree. That is beautiful. And yes I would also wait a few days.

 

So Awesome!!!! Can't wait to see it all together. Don't be in a hurry, Which i'm sure at this point will be very hard

 

Looking Bad *** Keith. I scratched mine up like crazy because I was too anxious to wait for a helping hand sometimes. Take your time, and use plenty of padding.

 

yes, help is the biggest thing. I had a team of 4 help me put mine back together (main parts)..

I put the front clip together separately, then installed that as one unit, then set the hood on .

looks great tho..!!

Sam

 

Just lurking in this section and ran across this thread and WOW! This is a magazine cover truck if I ever saw one.
As for the question on assembly, use 3M automotive tape on all edges that you will be attaching parts. I prefer the 2" just for more coverage. The 3M tape will not pull the paint or leave any sticky when you pull it off.
Look forward to seeing the truck in the magazines soon.

 

Very nice!

 

Glad to see it in paint...did you change your wheel choice? I thought the other set had orange spokes in them?

 

I used a lot of poster paper to cover a larger area. It is cheap and you can easily cut out contours to cover parts. Like the man said use only 3M tape. Good luck and you truck looks very good.

 

Keith that look sweeeet, did you change from the powered hood? I can't see any lines or did you do that good of a job.

 

Try hard to take your time, you certainly don't want to scratch that baby. It's going to look good on the front cover of the lineup of magizines that will want you. Congratulations Keith.

 

The best proportioned stretched cab I've seen to date.
Some tips: You can use the plastic from old milk jugs to make a protector shaped much like a wrench which will allow you to tighten bolts/nuts with a socket/wrench without scratching the paint. Another is to use the pressure sensitive tape (like what is used to transfer vinyl decals to metal) to protect the surfaces. I've seen it in 2 & 3 foot wide widths which will allow you to cover entire fenders, hoods etc. It will not harm properly applied and cured paint when removed. I believe 3M makes it.

http://www.shop3m.com/70006444395.html
try ths link. Not sure if this is the same as we use in my aerospace application but same princeable. Cut off large sections and cover entire fender, door etc.