Removing the bed, part 1
Date/Time: Sun 20 Nov 2005 02:32:21 AM PST
We needed to remove the bed to do work on the cab, and the easy way for us was to raise it with ratcheting straps and hooks in the ceiling, then roll the truck on wheel dollies out from under it. If we had a stand for the bed, we would have just lifted it off and set it on there.
Truck, on wheel dollies
Date/Time: Sun 20 Nov 2005 02:32:50 AM PST
Lots of parts removed here, so we can service the cab corners, rocker panels, and other various spots that have deteriorated since the last paint job in summer 1994.
Truck under sealer
Date/Time: Fri 20 Apr 2007 11:09:18 AM PDT
Here the truck is under sealer (PPG NCS2004) and is being prepared for "trimout" where the edges and backs / insides of parts are painted. We painted and clearcoated all of the trimout areas first, which made painting the body easier.
Trimout!
Date/Time: Fri 20 Apr 2007 10:21:12 PM PDT
Here the truck's door edges, etc. have been painted and clearcoated. This is the first hint of the new color.
Masking for paint
Date/Time: Sat 21 Apr 2007 01:36:58 PM PDT
Here we're masking the truck for paint. The windows are masked with plastic trash bags. We've used some very good masking papers, but trash bags work pretty well. Paint does not dry to dust on them, to end up as trash in the finish later; rather, paint seems to stick to the plastic where it stays.
Spraying the red basecoat
Date/Time: Sat 21 Apr 2007 05:54:32 PM PDT
Here we're spraying the red basecoat (PPG's Deltron 2000 DBC basecoat). It's a two-tone paint job, so that's why we didn't bother spraying red all the way to the bottom of the rocker panels.
Spraying the black basecoat
Date/Time: Sat 21 Apr 2007 08:53:29 PM PDT
Here we're spraying the second color, Pearl Black. The gun (Binks M1-G) is an HVLP gun so overspray is minimized; this lets us get away with so little masking for spraying the second color.
Painting complete -- ready for clear
Date/Time: Sat 21 Apr 2007 09:37:21 PM PDT
Here the basecoat has been completely applied, and we're ready for clear (PPG Concept 2002 clear, with SuperCharger catalyst).
Masking for clear
Date/Time: Sun 22 Apr 2007 10:14:31 AM PDT
Here we're masking again, this time for spraying the PPG Concept 2002 clearcoat, with SuperCharger catalyst. 2 coats of clear, followed by sanding a least 12 hours later, then another two coats before sanding and buffing. Lots of work!
First coats of clear applied
Date/Time: Sun 22 Apr 2007 04:00:46 PM PDT
Here the clear has been applied, and is drying. This is not a good photo for showing the finished product. Once the clear is buffed and the truck is reassembled, I'll take some more photos to attempt to show the color.
First coats of clear applied, part 2
Date/Time: Sun 22 Apr 2007 04:01:02 PM PDT
Here the clear has been applied, and is drying. This is not a good photo for showing the finished product. Once the clear is buffed and the truck is reassembled, I'll take some more photos to attempt to show the color.
Truck, painted and buffed
Date/Time: Sun 20 May 2007 11:57:51 AM PDT
A photo of the truck, after buffing. It has not yet been waxed. That comes after the body side molding is installed.
Truck, painted and buffed (front view)
Date/Time: Sun 20 May 2007 11:58:03 AM PDT
Another shot of the truck, after buffing but not yet polished or waxed.
Close-up shot of the paint
Date: 05/29/2007
Here is a close-up shot that does a decent job showing the color and reflection, even though in this shot it has not been polished or waxed. Unfortunately the black pearl doesn't show up very well in the photo, and that's true in reality too. The pearl is there, but it's so close to the ground that it gets lost.
