Body Fabrication
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Richlands, NC
Body Fabrication
Hey guys.
I'm pretty new here, and some of you have seen some of my other topics posted around here.
Well, I obviously am not a top notch mechanic or anything. Actually, my 1985 F150 is my first truck. I bought her in March for $500. She's in really good shape for her year and all.
I'm 16, and where I live we have to do a "Graduation Project" to graduate high school. So, over this summer, i'm going to redo the body of the truck.
Sand, bondo, sand, prime, paint, etc.
I'm going to do the exterior (and see's Em's Extreme makeover will probably do the interior as well) of the truck.
What tips can you give me from start to finish?
It's got some rust spots and lots of paint chips and what not. I want to have her look good. Still debating what color, though.
But, could you guys give me some tips? It seems when FTE collaborates, you can get the job done.
I have to do this all by myself! And i'm 16, so I can't afford thousands of dollars.
So, like I said, any tips?
Thanks!
I'm pretty new here, and some of you have seen some of my other topics posted around here.
Well, I obviously am not a top notch mechanic or anything. Actually, my 1985 F150 is my first truck. I bought her in March for $500. She's in really good shape for her year and all.
I'm 16, and where I live we have to do a "Graduation Project" to graduate high school. So, over this summer, i'm going to redo the body of the truck.
Sand, bondo, sand, prime, paint, etc.
I'm going to do the exterior (and see's Em's Extreme makeover will probably do the interior as well) of the truck.
What tips can you give me from start to finish?
It's got some rust spots and lots of paint chips and what not. I want to have her look good. Still debating what color, though.
But, could you guys give me some tips? It seems when FTE collaborates, you can get the job done.
I have to do this all by myself! And i'm 16, so I can't afford thousands of dollars.
So, like I said, any tips?
Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Illernois
I think thats very neat your school has everyone do a graduation project! An its very cool you choose to do your truck for it.
Well until you get any specific questions i'll give you alittle display of body work since that seems to be your main goal at the moment.
Too save yourself in the later years, if you have any areas that are rusted out or are in very bad condition you need to replace them with metal. Otherwise for minor dents and dings you should learn to hammer them out as good as possible (search for articles on hammering out dents). Than you will learn to use bondo for your small inperfections.
Remember to always work slowly and pay attention to minor details or it will show later on. How good your paint looks is all determined on how well you do you body work.
I've found that it helps too focus and work on one section at a time.
Also any showing metal make sure you get covered with primer or it will start to rust!
Hope this helps some, and if you have any specific questions just ask away.
Well until you get any specific questions i'll give you alittle display of body work since that seems to be your main goal at the moment.
Too save yourself in the later years, if you have any areas that are rusted out or are in very bad condition you need to replace them with metal. Otherwise for minor dents and dings you should learn to hammer them out as good as possible (search for articles on hammering out dents). Than you will learn to use bondo for your small inperfections.
Remember to always work slowly and pay attention to minor details or it will show later on. How good your paint looks is all determined on how well you do you body work.
I've found that it helps too focus and work on one section at a time.
Also any showing metal make sure you get covered with primer or it will start to rust!
Hope this helps some, and if you have any specific questions just ask away.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I agree with FordNFishinLover, start with that and then get to more specific questions, and from the picture it looks like your truck was an original Red truck, I would personally go with that color. but thats just me, I did my truck with a little help from my uncle and in the span of a year, so good luck to you buddy! Although you are 16, so by my estimates that would put you with atleast a year before you graduate? but like FFL said ask away with any questions.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
oh and for just some general knowledge heres some pictures of my restoration, not really alot of pictures but i was the one taking them so yeah haha. ( be sure to take note of what the guys replies where, even though i did do what he said i didnt do haha) 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7663726
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7663726
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Put your television to good use....there's a bunch of car building shows on Saturday and Sunday mornings on Speed Channel and Spike that give a lot of information for general automotive repairs, including body work. If you have Direct TV's High Def package, there's a British import show on HD Theatre called Wheeler Dealers where these two guys go around buying beaten up cars, doing small backyard-garage type repairs, and selling them for a profit. There's ton of info on that show about doing the types of smaller scale body and mechanical repair you're talking about, including metal replacement. And then we're still here for vehicle specific questions....
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The body looks pretty straight and solid, so you've got a good start.
Small rust spots that are not fully eaten thru the metal can be ground down and filled with bondo.
Small rust holes can be ground down to bare metal, and patched with fiberglass, then smoothed with bondo.
Any rust holes bigger than about 1" really should be cut out or ground back and a metal patch welded into place, then smoothed over with a thin coat of bondo.
The main things to remember about using bondo: Thinner is better, never exceed 1/4" thickness. Never try to fill a hole with bondo, use FG or metal to patch the hole first, then smooth it over with a thin coat.
Also, use light coats of filler, you may need to add 2-3 additional coats of filler before you're done, but thinned coats cure better, and don't tend to start cracking after a couple years. What's the point in doing it, if you're not gonna make it last.
I also agree that red would be a good color choice, since the interior is already red. You could even do a red/white (or other color) combo to really make it stand out.
Small rust spots that are not fully eaten thru the metal can be ground down and filled with bondo.
Small rust holes can be ground down to bare metal, and patched with fiberglass, then smoothed with bondo.
Any rust holes bigger than about 1" really should be cut out or ground back and a metal patch welded into place, then smoothed over with a thin coat of bondo.
The main things to remember about using bondo: Thinner is better, never exceed 1/4" thickness. Never try to fill a hole with bondo, use FG or metal to patch the hole first, then smooth it over with a thin coat.
Also, use light coats of filler, you may need to add 2-3 additional coats of filler before you're done, but thinned coats cure better, and don't tend to start cracking after a couple years. What's the point in doing it, if you're not gonna make it last.
I also agree that red would be a good color choice, since the interior is already red. You could even do a red/white (or other color) combo to really make it stand out.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
From 21 years in the body business I can give you a few pointers. Would like to see more pics from other angles, it has been painted before, that may or may not cause problems, depending on the quality of the paint job. Now for color, light colors tend to be more forgiving than dark colors so choose accordingly. Keep us informed
okiepc1
okiepc1
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
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From: Richlands, NC
Honestly, I was thinking of doing a deep blue. You know, dark blue. Then redoing the inside blue and black (just like ems truck) and doing the dashboard and the door panels, etc.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Richlands, NC
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 872
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From: South Carolina
Young Padawan... you can find many many things to help you on your journey here...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
If you're going for a color change,make sure you get the door jambs,inside the cab,and the firewall(at least what you can see of it),it'll make it look more professional.Don't be afraid of pulling the interior out,I've done it three times now,it's a cakewalk once you get used to it.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The Paint & Bodywork forum here has some really good information and some good people in it:
Paint & Bodywork - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Paint & Bodywork - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
One color i've always loved on these trucks is a 2 tone tan and brown. But since you have a red interior, gonna look at weird. lol
If you wanna keep your red interior (witch personally I would) paint the truck black! That will be a sharp looker!
If you wanna keep your red interior (witch personally I would) paint the truck black! That will be a sharp looker!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I agree.I would actually go for a two tone White and Red,I think it would look good with your interior.