I painted my fenders yesterday; used Tremclad gloss black, slightly thinned. Three thin coats, not perfect but acceptable for the time being. Will have to wet sand and likely re-paint , but for now will assemble.

Tips on rear install: Is there a secret to mounting rear fenders, fronts and running boards are in place. Don't want to scratch the rears so will glue rubber strip on the running boards where they meet the fender. Do you come in at an angle with the fender to meet up with the running board? I'm going to try to fasten the fender welt with 3M adhesive, before I install the fender, .

Oh, I can spell, but the "m" key doesnot always work

 

What, no pictures?

I might let those dry about 3 days before you reinstall - - -

 

I don't know if there's a secret for installing the fenders besides taking your time and be careful.

As for the welting, I wouldn't try to glue it in place. I've always mounted the fender loosely then slipped the welting in between the panels. You can adjust the welting for the exact perfect fit while tightening the bolts one at a time around the fender. Cover the fender with masking paper so as not to scuff the paint with the welting while you're installing it. It really goes pretty easy like this. I've done a ton of them.

I do have to question the logic of putting your truck together if your not happy with the finish? I understand the excitement of wanting it together, but why not do it right the first time?

 

I used two floor jacks, one on each end with a small piece of 1x3 scrap to set the fenders on.. gave me lots of incremental adjustment

I did not use welting

Sam

 

I personally never prepaint a big part before assembly. I paint the mating surfaces, spraying paint over the edge, then mount, mask off, scuff the overspray and paint the part while on the truck. I don't like trying to assemble big parts and worry about scratching. On my fenders, both back and front, I loosely bolted them on, painted them and then slipped the welting in between. I precut the welting, punched holes in the proper location and then cut from the side of the holes down to form a "U" cut which slid over the bolts.

 

I was going to try to pre-fit the fender welt before install, maybe need to rethink the adhesive.

As for pre-paint, I figure if I wait until everything is perfect, I'll never drive the beast! I did spot paint the fronts before install, but ended up masking and painting them in situ, as they got scratched bolting them up. I am going to let the paint cure, then install the rears. Sounds like an additional pair of hands might be in order. I'll snap some pics today.

Tom

 

I've never used welting. I find it collects dirt and after a time looks "tacky."

If your parts are straight when you install, and are properly installed, there's no need for it - I don't have a squeak or rattle any where.

Also, if you are going to repaint once the truck is assembled, that welting is going to cause a major pain - unless you plan to paint it too - tacky tacky tacky!

But, if you want to get it on correctly and hold it on, I have found that for holding gaskets and things like that, a series (about 6" apart) of the smallest drops possible (head of pin size) of super glue on the fender, then carefully press the welting into the correct place will work nicely to hold it without making a mess. Also, if you decide to take the fenders off, the welting will stay in place on the fender if you want it to or will easily peel off and not leave a mess if you want it off to repaint.

Your new paint will pull off easily for a few days so extra care and patience will be the key!

 

Right on Bro!!!

Just a heads up on the future possible repaint, not sure if Tremclad is an enamel base but you could have a reaction to certain types of paint, especially lacquer of course.

 

I know what everyone has said about gluing the fender welt on before installing the fenders, but
Glue it on, makes it a lot easier and you can fit it just right.
The holes in the fender are oversize, so put the fender on and loosely bolt it to the bed side. then bolt the running board to the fender. the fender may need to slide forward to meet the running board when you tighten the bolts. After you have the running board bolted, then tighten the bed side bolts. Here is a picture of my rear fender as I was installing the welt.

 

Thanks Don, it makes sense to me that fastening the welt to fender "roughly before bolt up should ake the fitment a lot easier. I realize there will be some adjustment required but if you get it tight to the fender it "should be" minimal. Hey its only time right ? I've done a few things a couple of times to date.

Ray: I'll have to make sure I use Tremclad for final coat, hear ya on the incompatibility of paints ! How's the build going, time for a pic or two ?

Tom

 

Got the rear fenders mounted today; did end up "gluing" welting to fenders before, and I would recommend this method to anyone doing the job alone.

The pass side fender went on without a hitch; did end up scratching paint on the driver fender because the running board was tighter, but I can fill scratches and repaint this spring.



Nice to get the parts off the basement floor. Only got a spare hood left, don't know where I'm going to store that, as I'm re-doing basement over winter.

That's it for main body parts, lots of wiring left.

Tom

 

Looking good Tom!

Hang the hood from the ceiling in the garage. Not only does it make for some nice "wall art" but you can store several small items inside of it.

Bobby

 

Your truck is looking really good there tip49, glad to hear your getting more floor space.

 

I thought you should mount the fenders first then the running boards.