1969 Chevy C10
- Thread starter '68 Coronet R/T
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'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Still waiting for a sample of the dark blue paint.
Decided to start prepping the cab by removing the old door seal adhesive:
Couldn't do the inside because the dash pad was in the way so ended up dismantling the dash. The steering column appears to already be the darker blue color:
The circuit film for the gauge cluster was de-laminated and you can see where two circuits had come loose and are shorted out.
There is years worth of dirt and grime under the dash and then I saw how they had secured the clutch lever with a piece of wire:
On a positive note, I was able to get the outside of the door prepped and applied a coat of reduced epoxy as a sealer. It is gray from mixing white with black epoxy.
Decided to start prepping the cab by removing the old door seal adhesive:
Couldn't do the inside because the dash pad was in the way so ended up dismantling the dash. The steering column appears to already be the darker blue color:
The circuit film for the gauge cluster was de-laminated and you can see where two circuits had come loose and are shorted out.
There is years worth of dirt and grime under the dash and then I saw how they had secured the clutch lever with a piece of wire:
On a positive note, I was able to get the outside of the door prepped and applied a coat of reduced epoxy as a sealer. It is gray from mixing white with black epoxy.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Okay, the dark blue arrived this afternoon so sprayed 3 coats over the light blue after wet sanding with 600 grit. It wasn't what I was expecting as it is a metallic paint and not quite as dark as I imagined.
Here's the original blue followed by the dark blue.
I grabbed the very slow reducer by mistake so it is still flashing off a bit in this picture.
Owner likes the darker blue.
Here's the original blue followed by the dark blue.
I grabbed the very slow reducer by mistake so it is still flashing off a bit in this picture.
Owner likes the darker blue.
Last edited:
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
3 coats of Euro Clear:
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Working on the other fender now. Media blasted and two coats of epoxy:
Shot two coats of polyester primer, applied guide coat and block sanded with 80 grit.
Circled problem areas with a pencil. Hammer and dolly work to bring them close.
Filler applied and then block sanded with 80 grit. Sorry didn't take a picture of that step.
Shot 3 coats of regular 2k build primer using 2.0 tip.
Guide coat and blocked with 150 grit. Shot two more coats of 2k build primer and then guide coat and blocked with 320 grit, followed by wet sanding with 600 on a soft block.
Here it is still wet from being rinsed off. When it's wet like this you can glance down the panel and check for any problem areas.
The paint arrived today so I need to start focusing on getting the cab prepped and painted. Still debating whether to go ahead and paint this fender and the drivers door or just seal them with epoxy and wait. Leaning towards painting them since I will be out of town for a few days and then can sit and cure.
Shot two coats of polyester primer, applied guide coat and block sanded with 80 grit.
Circled problem areas with a pencil. Hammer and dolly work to bring them close.
Filler applied and then block sanded with 80 grit. Sorry didn't take a picture of that step.
Shot 3 coats of regular 2k build primer using 2.0 tip.
Guide coat and blocked with 150 grit. Shot two more coats of 2k build primer and then guide coat and blocked with 320 grit, followed by wet sanding with 600 on a soft block.
Here it is still wet from being rinsed off. When it's wet like this you can glance down the panel and check for any problem areas.
The paint arrived today so I need to start focusing on getting the cab prepped and painted. Still debating whether to go ahead and paint this fender and the drivers door or just seal them with epoxy and wait. Leaning towards painting them since I will be out of town for a few days and then can sit and cure.
RosharonRooster
Promoted Users
I like both colors. I like the light blue more. Powder blue. What if you incorporate both blues on the interior some how. A 2 tone steering wheel maybe
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Unfortunately it is not my decision to make. Owner loves that dark blue.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Had the windshield and rear glass removed from the cab.
Thought this was rust on the upper dash:
Turned out to be dirt for the most part:
It seemed like every time I bumped the vehicle or closed a door, dirt fell from under the dash area. Decided to try and clean it up a bit.
The heater box really showed just how dirty things are when I started washing it.
Couldn't figure out what this black rectangle insert on the left above the ignition switch was until I took it out:
Decided to try and paint the letters white.
Needs a little clean up once it dries but for a GM product not too bad.
Thought this was rust on the upper dash:
Turned out to be dirt for the most part:
It seemed like every time I bumped the vehicle or closed a door, dirt fell from under the dash area. Decided to try and clean it up a bit.
The heater box really showed just how dirty things are when I started washing it.
Couldn't figure out what this black rectangle insert on the left above the ignition switch was until I took it out:
Decided to try and paint the letters white.
Needs a little clean up once it dries but for a GM product not too bad.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Painted the driver's door and left fender today. The door is at a slight angle leaning away from me at the top. It is resting on the edge of the table and leaning against a 12v Battery in a in plastic box. Nothing but the best for this hack. LOL
Tried both the 3M Green and Purple tapes.
The jury is still out on which one I like best. The purple tape stretches a bit but the green seemed to create a slightly cleaner line. Of course this critique coming from a first time user doesn't mean much.
Tried both the 3M Green and Purple tapes.
The jury is still out on which one I like best. The purple tape stretches a bit but the green seemed to create a slightly cleaner line. Of course this critique coming from a first time user doesn't mean much.
crashtech
Combo Man & Mod
The painted panels look good! I'm always interested in the order of operations, and it looks like much of the truck is far behind these completed panels. This observation is not meant as a critique, but it would be interesting to learn what the plan is to get the rest of the truck into final finish.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Since these panels needed extensive work and I was waiting for a decision on the color I went a head and repaired and painted them.
Now, that the color has been decided on and the paint has arrived I will remove the bed and concentrate on the cab. Once that is painted, I will work on the bed and get it painted and reinstalled.
The tailgate is a mess and the hood is banged up as well, so those will probably be the last two things I work on. I believe I will need the exterior trim and emblems installed on the fenders and doors before reinstalling them. Don't see how I could reach the backside any other way.
Now, that the color has been decided on and the paint has arrived I will remove the bed and concentrate on the cab. Once that is painted, I will work on the bed and get it painted and reinstalled.
The tailgate is a mess and the hood is banged up as well, so those will probably be the last two things I work on. I believe I will need the exterior trim and emblems installed on the fenders and doors before reinstalling them. Don't see how I could reach the backside any other way.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Separated the bed from the cab.
No small task for a one man operation. Everything has to be planned and executed carefully.
I may enlist some help and move the bed outside for media blasting. Haven't made up my mind on that yet.
Now to finish dismantling, cleaning and prepping the cab for epoxy primer.
No small task for a one man operation. Everything has to be planned and executed carefully.
I may enlist some help and move the bed outside for media blasting. Haven't made up my mind on that yet.
Now to finish dismantling, cleaning and prepping the cab for epoxy primer.
H
Hay Burner
I just happened on to this post by accident, so I registered today. It is like I am looking at my truck, an exact replica of what my truck used to be, two tone powder blue/white 4 speed stick shift with a 307 CID. My patch panel for the passenger side will be much like yours and the A pillar has the same rust. Thinking the rust is from the hole for the antenna wire going through the cowl/firewall. My cowl air boxes had years of hay and dirt in them which plugged the drain and allowed them to rust through. I remember as a kid when the floor was muddy it got the hose, which rotted the floor pan. Luckily my damage to the floor was not as extensive as yours, mostly next to the kick panels. If you have anymore pictures of your rocker panels during the install I love to see them. Is there a way to PM them and not to clutter up your post? I am having a difficult time getting my rocker panels to match the original body curve and seeing what you had to do would help I'm sure. Hoping my work looks 1/2 as good as yours!
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
The reproduction panels rarely fit perfectly. I clamp them into place and then try to determine what needs to be done to get them to fit properly.
The left side required nothing other than making some long wedged shaped cuts to remove enough metal to get the correct contour at the A-pillar.
The right side required more modification. It had to be widened nearly 3/8" toward the front and then welded and worked into shape.
Take your time and it's always better to check and double check the fit before modifying the panel.
The left side required nothing other than making some long wedged shaped cuts to remove enough metal to get the correct contour at the A-pillar.
The right side required more modification. It had to be widened nearly 3/8" toward the front and then welded and worked into shape.
Take your time and it's always better to check and double check the fit before modifying the panel.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Touched up the black radiator support and headlight areas.
The Heater box had white caulking on it so took care of that as well.
Began removing old seam sealer from roof drip edge:
The Heater box had white caulking on it so took care of that as well.
Began removing old seam sealer from roof drip edge:
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
Majority of Seam sealer removed:
Starting the clean up process on the tight areas of the door jams, window channels and cab seams.
Didn't want to media blast these areas because the cab isn't completely stripped under the dash and the media would surely collect there.
Starting the clean up process on the tight areas of the door jams, window channels and cab seams.
Didn't want to media blast these areas because the cab isn't completely stripped under the dash and the media would surely collect there.