Hey all! Need some thoughts on this. That and I am bored at work right now! I am restoring my 78 F-150, and I am just trying to put all my steps in order and thinking this through.

I have the truck torn completely down right now, getting ready in the next couple of weeks to start putting it all back together! So far I am up to this point in my thoughts/notes.

Clean and painted frame, axles, suspension. Drive train put back in. Brake/fuel lines and some wiring mounted back to the frame. So then I come to the cab. Or am I missing some steps in here? Feels like I am missing something!

I am planning on sandblasting the cab and line-x the underside and the firewall, then line-x the interior floor boards and the inside firewall. Then mount it to the frame.

The question I have remains, painting the interior.

Should I wait until I am ready to have the rest of the truck painted?
Do prep and paint the entire cab now, and wait on the rest of the body?
What about the dash?

I would like to continue installing the cab, getting the dash installed steering wheel, no instruments, rest of my internal wiring, doors, get the front clip and fenders and bed installed, then have the entire body painted. Then put the other pieces back in, such as glass, carpet, door panels, tires, lights, bumpers and wheels.

Need some straitening out here. Am I on the right track or am I jumping the gun a little? Thanks!

Rompin 78'

 

I am close to painting my interior and had the same thoughts. I plan to shoot the entire interior and then when 'dry', completely seal the cab with paper from the inside...then do the final sanding on the exterior and shoot it.

My concern is whether to re-hang the doors or not before painting the inside cab?

 

I would paint it all at the same time. Put the doors on so the hinges are in the right spot them take the doors off the hinges. This way the bolts get paint like the factory. You want the cab to be painted at the sametime as the rest of the body panels as differences in ambient conditions can affect the paint finish. Also, since painting is an art every artist is slightly different.

I had the door and top of my truck touched up (repainted) using the same mix and painter two days later and in dusk light conditions you can tell a difference. Most people can't notice it but I can.

 

Thanks guys. I think I will do what you are doing Huntsman. From the inside of the cab, I don't think I will mind if the paint is a little lighter or darker. Just so long as its even! Then do the outside by a pro. Thanks again!

Rompin 78