C
CMS829
So I have finally begun attacking my replacement bed. Looking back - I should have just spent the extra money on two new bed sides or just put an aluminum flat bed on her. But I am enjoying the learning process. I sprayed two coats of epoxy on the backs of these patch panels. The inner wheelhouses were rather rusty and without a blaster I took off as much rust as possible and put on two good coats of zero rust. Didn't want to risk adhesion issues after treating with ospho and spraying epoxy. Hopefully they last. I cut access inside the bed itself to planish the welds. I believe I am going to weld these panels back in then drill a few 1/2" holes so that every so often I can spray some cavity wax or something in there to prevent rust.
Anyway - The welding is going well given the thin thin sheet dodge uses. This is off a 2004 dodge ram. I have the other side done I just need to do some more hammer/dolly work (learning that as well) before I put down my epoxy. I am doing better on this second side and keeping the warping to a minimum. This is not a show truck by any means. I am perfectly fine using filler (Rage gold) to straighten out these panels after i do my best with the hammer and dolly. Given this is my first time, I will be extremely happy if it at least looks "ok".
So thats where I am at. A few other spots to use a puller to work out a few smaller dents and I'll be able to shoot my two coats of epoxy. My question relates to after I do my filler..... Given they will need a lot of work I will be sanding through the epoxy to metal, and then have to add more filler to touch up spots. Is the right thing to do would be to apply first coat of filler....sand....spot prime the spots I went through with 2 coats of epoxy....then do my filler again.... and if i go through again then spot it again? and then go with my 3-4 coats of 2k?
Also - I am using black epoxy. What is SAFE and COMPATIBLE to use as a guide coat on the epoxy? Is there some type of aerosol I can use as a guide coat? The only thing labeled as "guide coat" I can find is black. And obviously that wont work.
Thanks in advance guys!
Anyway - The welding is going well given the thin thin sheet dodge uses. This is off a 2004 dodge ram. I have the other side done I just need to do some more hammer/dolly work (learning that as well) before I put down my epoxy. I am doing better on this second side and keeping the warping to a minimum. This is not a show truck by any means. I am perfectly fine using filler (Rage gold) to straighten out these panels after i do my best with the hammer and dolly. Given this is my first time, I will be extremely happy if it at least looks "ok".
So thats where I am at. A few other spots to use a puller to work out a few smaller dents and I'll be able to shoot my two coats of epoxy. My question relates to after I do my filler..... Given they will need a lot of work I will be sanding through the epoxy to metal, and then have to add more filler to touch up spots. Is the right thing to do would be to apply first coat of filler....sand....spot prime the spots I went through with 2 coats of epoxy....then do my filler again.... and if i go through again then spot it again? and then go with my 3-4 coats of 2k?
Also - I am using black epoxy. What is SAFE and COMPATIBLE to use as a guide coat on the epoxy? Is there some type of aerosol I can use as a guide coat? The only thing labeled as "guide coat" I can find is black. And obviously that wont work.
Thanks in advance guys!
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