ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[WoodsTruck]

Looks great.

Are the lower rocker panels showing rock chips after that many miles?

 

[zmotorsports]

Top notch work as usual Mike! Really impressive as is anything you get your hands on. I believe you're right when you say it looks better than it did rolling off the assembly line.

Thank you.

Wow! That looks fantastic. Cool trick with the razor blade, never would have thought to tape it up like that. Nice work!

Thanks. The tape just helps to keep the razor blade standing proud ever so slightly above the surrounding clear and just allows you to remove the bulk of the run. Once close switch over to around 1200-1500 grit wet sandpaper then some 2000-grit followed by compounding and you shouldn't ever see it.

Wow Mike, she’s gorgeous bud. As always another fine job. As for the battery deal you’d be amazed how much better the higher amperage batteries will make that unit perform. But the trade off is weight and balance which might kill the pleasure of working with it.

Thanks Cam. I'm not necessarily regretting purchasing the Milwaukee cordless polisher but for the initial step I think I'll keep with the corded Buffmaster for the available torque. Plus it just feels right in my hand, like an old friend.

Looks great.

Are the lower rocker panels showing rock chips after that many miles?

Thank you. The rocker panels, as well as the lower doors, are in excellent condition with minimal rock chips.

 

[Finallygotit]

Awesome work Mike!!

 

[MP&C]

Well done Mike, truck is good as new!!

 

[don long]

I know that great feeling of satisfaction that comes with looking at the final shine after killing your arms and shoulders from pushing and pulling those old buffers. your blend looks seamless and the truck looks new again.
Nice job Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys.

Coming from a couple of paint experts, I'm flattered. Blending was never my strong suit.

 

[SilverJimmy]

This is the picture I love! To the average viewer the weatherstrip wear marks proclaim to the world that this beauty is a well loved survivor, OEM paint and with tasteful upgrades! On your B&D buffer, have you had to replace the speed control/trigger switch? B&D made the Snap-On ET-1475 variable speed buffer for years and the switch became NA after B&D was bought out. I actually need to search eBay for a NOS switch for mine because it died when I went to use it on my boat last year! Although I might have a couple stashed in my pile that’s left over from my tool-in….
Beautiful truck!

 

[zmotorsports]

This is the picture I love! To the average viewer the weatherstrip wear marks proclaim to the world that this beauty is a well loved survivor, OEM paint and with tasteful upgrades! On your B&D buffer, have you had to replace the speed control/trigger switch? B&D made the Snap-On ET-1475 variable speed buffer for years and the switch became NA after B&D was bought out. I actually need to search eBay for a NOS switch for mine because it died when I went to use it on my boat last year! Although I might have a couple stashed in my pile that’s left over from my tool-in….
Beautiful truck!

Thanks Jimmy. I agree, I also love that picture as it shows nothing out of the ordinary as far as paint refinishing goes.

I have not had any issues with my Black & Decker Buffmaster at all actually. It's been solid as a tank for all these years and made in the good ole' U.S. of A. It's polished a **** ton of cars, bikes, trucks, ATV's, snowmobiles and even boats (said with tongue in cheek).

When the last battery went dead and the others weren't charged yet I walked over the cabinet and grabbed the B&D, plugged it in and went to town. As soon as I did my son popped his head up from the back of the truck where he was masking the bumper and fender flares from splatter and simply said "I remember that sound". Got a good chuckle out of it, kind of like the old mixing cups with primer caked on the outside.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Thanks guys.

Coming from a couple of paint experts, I'm flattered. Blending was never my strong suit.

You did an excellent job Mike! I tried to get several body shops touch up a door for me and they politely said no. They said it would not blend to their satisfaction. They made it sound like blending cannot be done any more. I guess I need to find a Z trained shop!

 

[zmotorsports]

You did an excellent job Mike! I tried to get several body shops touch up a door for me and they politely said no. They said it would not blend to their satisfaction. They made it sound like blending cannot be done any more. I guess I need to find a Z trained shop!

Thank you. Now granted, I would rather NOT perform an open clear blend and would rather full panel clear but sometimes, especially with today's vehicles, that is not possible or at least much more problematic so knowing how to properly blend clear is definitely a good skill to have in one's toolbox.

 

[bigdave_185]

That m12 polisher is on my long list of things to get. Mainly for roloc discs. Have also wanted to try it for headlight restoration. Since I know you have experience with the 3m kit, how do you think the m12 would do for headlights?

If you know anyone with a bigger battery I would try that. I have a bunch of m18 power hungry tools, chainsaw, hole hawg, mud mixer, 9" cut off saw, and the list goes on. My 5.0 batteries are noticeably less power and less run time then my 9.0 and 12.0s. Another thing I learned when doing that pinion nut is batteries get weaker over time. I had a 5.0 on my high torque impact and it wasnt doing anything. Put one of my newer 12.0 on and it crushed it no problem. Bigger batteries are very expensive so I'd hate to buy one and hope for better results but if you know someone that has a bigger battery and can borrow it for a day to see.

Iv had two dewalt cordless paint correction tools in the past. While the battery lasts longer the added weight of the bigger battery kills your arms after a few hour stint of polishing. The dewalt I’m sure is different then the Red club but the same principle applies. One reason I aways go back to rupes is the balance of the machine. It balances the weight and pressure you are putting on the pads

Just my .02

 

[lilscorpion]

Gorgeous paint Mike. I keep saying it but someday, when I get that bigger shop, I plan to practice more paint. Being able to touch up/fix would be amazing. Your son is lucky.

Personally, I don't think my son thinks much of it as it's all he knows, we just tear into things. He doesn't know the contrary so unfortunately he will probably never fully appreciate his upbringing.

I know this is an old comment now but it captured my eye given I’ve been thinking about this lately. Andrew used to love working in the shop and now he hates it. Though it’s been disappointing, and I miss the time spent there together, I have had similar thoughts as you. Will he really appreciate what he's been exposed to? I think unfortunately it requires maturity that they may not have until their parents of their own and have developed wisdom they just don't have until then. A funnier way to think about it is they'll probably will probably grow to appreciate it right about the time they realize how smart we are.

For whatever reason, I want to see my son have the appreciation. When I think about it, like right now, it seems silly. I know I need to be patient. As I get older however, I'm starting to realize time is limited and the necessary patience required to let him get their on his own seems thin. Maybe I'm not done maturing myself.

Many know that I am not over the top on cordless tools and have a hard time justifying something that requires batteries, however, I got to thinking about the cord management that I've dealt with for all those years when polishing a vehicle. I generally throw the cord over my shoulder much similar to when I'm painting and throw the air hose over my shoulder to keep from coming in contact with the body of whatever I'm working on.

I will be giving these a full test over the weekend so I hope I am not disappointed.

I've mostly converted now to cordless tools just for convenience sake. I have noticed the things you mentioned - many lack the balance and trigger control as compared to their pneumatic counterparts. That said, weighing the pros and cons I still think cordless is more convenient (and much much quieter). In situations where you need control tho...may never be worth switching

 

[PugetDude]

I have the M12 polisher but seldom use it. But the M12 Right Angle Die grinder gets used almost everyday. It's the best of the M12 line in my opinion.

Incredible paint work, Mike.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have the M12 polisher but seldom use it. But the M12 Right Angle Die grinder gets used almost everyday. It's the best of the M12 line in my opinion.

Incredible paint work, Mike.

Thanks Scott.


My son stopped by last night to show me the finished product after he installed the new grille that arrived a few days ago as well as the newer style (2003-2007) tail lights and the third brake light. Those few items finished off the truck perfectly. Evidently his neighbor stopped by while he was replacing the tail lights on Tuesday night in his home garage and was going on and on about how clean his truck is for its age then about **** when my son told him it had nearly 300k miles on it.

 

[zmotorsports]

I want to add a table lift to my hydraulic press, will you post a picture of the rest of the mechanism? I'm curious about what keeps the cable from free wheeling. I'm thinking about using a boat winch because there cheap and have a built in ratcheting mechanism.

@gorilla, I'm sorry it took me so long to get the pictures of the mechanism for the table. To be honest I completely forgot until I used it last night.

Here are a couple of pictures of the crank and starwheel/lever assembly that are on my Nugier 20-ton hydraulic press.




I apologize it took me so long to get the pictures.

 

[mmsheb]

Mike - I probably missed you telling us, but how do you clean and/or protect the weatherstripping? It looks so good.
Mike in WI

 

[lilscorpion]

Just ordered a Macnaught grease gun based on your post. Was gonna ask how you store yours but now I do t need to…

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[zmotorsports]

Sorry for the late response Mike as I've been away for a bit.

Most of the time when we wash our vehicles we simply run a water sprite (synthetic chamois) over the inside of the door jambs and clean the paint as well as the gaskets but once or twice a year we will treat with some 303 Protectant on a rag and lightly wipe over the rubber gaskets. It keeps them soft and pliable for a long, long time.

 

[zmotorsports]

The wife and I got away last week for some much needed R&R.

We loaded up the coach, hooked up the Jeep and landed in Worland, WY for 5 days to explore the Absoroka and Big Horn Mountains.

Pulling the coach out of the shop and getting ready to hook the Jeep up. I decided to carry just a little extra fuel seeing as how I wasn't sure what to expect. Looking back I didn't need to carry the extra Rotopax containers of fuel.


Jeep hooked up with rock guards in place and ready to hit the road.


We stopped at a wide spot in the road at Farson, WY. I was telling my wife about when I was younger (10-12 years old approx.) my BIL and sister had a cabin in Pinedale, WY and I would be able to go with them once or twice a year when they needed help with something and we would stop off in Farson for an ice cream cone. As we were driving past the crossroads at Farson, my wife shouted, "there is the Farson Mercantile, Home of the Big Cone" so we had to stop and get one. I text a picture of it to my sister to rub it in.


Our campsite in Worland, WY for the five days we were there. I think the owners gave us the nicest spot in the campground to be honest. It was an older RV park/campground and there weren't a lot of people but the campground was very nice and clean. We'll definitely be going back there again. On Wednesday night, the night before our departure, a thunderstorm rolled through the area and many of us in the campground sat outside and watched the amazing lightning show just to the north of us as it moved through the valley.


During one of our drives up into the Big Horns we found a trail that lead up to an overlook above Meadowlark Lake. Also appeared to be a setting for weddings as there were rough cut timbers for seating and an aisle leading to the overlook.


One of our lunch spots overlooking a little valley.


On another day we drove up into the Absaroka Mountains in search of Kirwin, WY which is an old ghost town/mining town. The views were spectacular and supposedly one the hot spots for paranormal activity. Ghost Hunters actually did an episode of the town of Kirwin a few years back.


Driving to Kirwin consisted of several miles of trail that were actually the river as well as the trail. Crossing it and driving with it for quite a distance.


Getting nearer to the town of Kirwin. Just about the top of this hill we came across a couple in a Jeep CJ7 that was having issues. I think he was vapor locking as the altitude and weather were working against them. I towed them to the top of the grade where he let it sit for a bit then coasted down the other side and he was able to get it started. While the wife and I were sitting at the town of Kirwin eating out lunch he and his wife pulled in about 15 minutes behind us.


More water crossings.


Many more pictures to follow......

 

[zmotorsports]

Continuing on.


The town of Kirwin, Wyoming.




A couple of ore cars sitting alongside the trail.


Looking across the valley into the town.


As we were leaving we came across this little waterfall crossing under the trail.


Another water crossing. This one was a bit deeper than the others.


River/trail.


Oh look, another water crossing. I love trails like this.


Just before hitting pavement we had to wait for some wildlife to cross and get out of the way. They took their sweet time and went with the trail rather than across it.


More pictures to follow.....

 

[zmotorsports]

On another day we headed west towards another ghost town, this one was called Gebo which was a coal mining town just northwest of Thermopolis, WY.



Remnants of the columns that supported the cable system.




This was the residential area of the town and I was impressed at how well built these buildings were. The wood was all that was deteriorated, all other materials were very well intact.






As we were heading towards Thermopolis we ran across a Bison heard alongside the highway.


A few of them were very, very large. I told my wife we should stop and wait for the Californians to come by and we'd have a front row show. In Yellowstone this year the Bison are winning by leaps and bounds vs. Californians.


Thermopolis, WY hot springs. This was quite interesting as the various colors were made by different bacteria growth that takes place at different temperatures, very similar to many of the hot pots and springs in Yellowstone NP.


Another lunch spot as we found another trail leading us away from the highway and civilization.



More pictures to follow......

 

[zmotorsports]

After leaving from our lunch spot I saw a lesser trail leading up into the trees but in the general direction of the highway so we set off to explore.


We came across this large rock formation and the trail went completely around it and dumped us back to where we started. Although we didn't get any closer to the highway, it was a cool little trail none the less.


I was surprised at the number of young trees along this trail. It appeared there may have been a fire years ago that thinned the older trees out and now the younger ones were flourishing.


On Thursday we packed up camp in Worland and headed to Afton, WY for a couple of days. As we were driving over Togwotee Pass we opted to stop and fix us a sandwich for lunch and stretch our legs a bit. Had to take advantage of the photo opp.






After leaving Dubois, WY and here we are dropping down into Teton NP.


Here we just turned at Moran Junction in Teton NP and heading south towards Afton, WY.


A side trail that lead us away from the pavement again but a great shot of the Teton Mountains. Just after taking this picture we had a small heard of elk cross the trail directly in front of us.


There were a few sections of this trail that got a bit narrow but very scenic.


That is all of the pictures from the trip.

Thanks for looking.

 

[zmotorsports]

Upon arriving home I commenced the yard work followed by a detailing of the coach.


Washed and dried and ready to back into the shop.


Thanks for looking.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Mike, great pictures, that side of Wyoming is my favorite! So much natural beauty!

My dad actually helped with the construction of a lot of the highways around Pinedale back in the late 60s. Some of the pictures I have shared of him, are from his time in that area.

We used to haul equipment through Thermopolist on the regular, always loved those trips.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mr.zippy]

Heck Mike, you were in my hometown and I didn’t even see the entourage! Been living in Thermopolis for several decades! Soaked in the stinky water many times, and the kids learned to ride dirt bikes at Gebo! Nice to see very familiar pics. Hope we treated you well!

 

[lugnut71]

Yeah real close to me also, i am in lovell, let me know next time your in wyoming

 

[Mr.zippy]

sorry….. had to add this just for Mike!

 

[mmsheb]

Sorry for the late response Mike as I've been away for a bit.

Most of the time when we wash our vehicles we simply run a water sprite (synthetic chamois) over the inside of the door jambs and clean the paint as well as the gaskets but once or twice a year we will treat with some 303 Protectant on a rag and lightly wipe over the rubber gaskets. It keeps them soft and pliable for a long, long time.

Thanks for this. I was away too but happy to see this information today.
Your trip brought back some memories of when I visited family a couple of times southwest of Columbus, Montana and spent some time in the Absaroka Range in Montana.
Those are some great pictures of your trip.
Mike

 

[steves_001]

Simply amazing scenery. Things I would likely never see, thanks so much for sharing your adventures. That part of the country is really beautiful.

 

[74cj5]

Mike,
Thanks for sharing the photos. Some very amazing scenery there! I would love to explore those ghost towns and trails!

 

[gearhead1960]

Mike,
Great photos of some awesome scenery. I can understand your love of this area and the desire to return.

Good on you to help out the couple having mechanical issues. Hopefully, they showed you some appreciation. I try to stop and help people when I know it's within my capability. I'm not looking to be rewarded, but do it because it's the right thing to do and it gives me a good feeling I helped someone out. It is annoying when you get no thanks or acknowledgement that you help them. Last time I stopped, it was for a woman who had a flat. It was obvious that she did not know what she was doing and was improperly equipt to change the flat. I stopped and was able to use my jack (4,000lbs old Craftsman scissor jack) and tools to get her on the way. The most aggravating thing about helping her was she couldn't get herself off her phone the entire time I was helping her. In addition, she didn't even care enough to offer me thanks or compensation (buy you a beer) or anything. Not that I was looking for any compensation, but a little appreciation would have been nice....

 

[zmotorsports]

Heck Mike, you were in my hometown and I didn’t even see the entourage! Been living in Thermopolis for several decades! Soaked in the stinky water many times, and the kids learned to ride dirt bikes at Gebo! Nice to see very familiar pics. Hope we treated you well!

That was my first time to Thermopolis and although we just stopped by the hot springs for a photo opp we really didn't spend much time in your little town. I was impressed with how well manicured the grounds were around the hot springs state park. We actually pulled up to a picnic table under a large shade tree and ate our lunch it was so nice.

sorry….. had to add this just for Mike!

I had showed my wife this exact meme after we arrived back at camp so she would understand why I said what I did when we passed the herd of Bison. She laughed her *** off.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
Great photos of some awesome scenery. I can understand your love of this area and the desire to return.

Good on you to help out the couple having mechanical issues. Hopefully, they showed you some appreciation. I try to stop and help people when I know it's within my capability. I'm not looking to be rewarded, but do it because it's the right thing to do and it gives me a good feeling I helped someone out. It is annoying when you get no thanks or acknowledgement that you help them. Last time I stopped, it was for a woman who had a flat. It was obvious that she did not know what she was doing and was improperly equipt to change the flat. I stopped and was able to use my jack (4,000lbs old Craftsman scissor jack) and tools to get her on the way. The most aggravating thing about helping her was she couldn't get herself off her phone the entire time I was helping her. In addition, she didn't even care enough to offer me thanks or compensation (buy you a beer) or anything. Not that I was looking for any compensation, but a little appreciation would have been nice....

To be honest Mark, I had to give him a tow, he was blocking the trail.

I think they appreciated it but I could tell the guy was frustrated, as I would be too. I think he was shocked when I jumped out, reached under my rear seat and grabbed the clevis hook and tow strap. Although he was pulling his winch cable out to hook to me when I was negotiating the trail to get in front of him, I explained to him that he didn't want to use his winch in that manner as it is hard on the brake/clutch setup in the winch. I explained they are designed to pull from the drum and not to be yanked on from a tow vehicle. I hope he appreciated my unwillingness to damage his winch but he really didn't say much.

 

[zmotorsports]

Just ordered a Macnaught grease gun based on your post. Was gonna ask how you store yours but now I do t need to…

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Well it goes both ways Matt. I arrived home to find my stainless steel protractor that I ordered from Trick Tools after seeing yours had been delivered while we were away last week. Thank you. I think I will like this much better than my plastic General one. This feels like a nice quality tool.

 

[gearhead1960]

To be honest Mark, I had to give him a tow, he was blocking the trail.

I think they appreciated it but I could tell the guy was frustrated, as I would be too. I think he was shocked when I jumped out, reached under my rear seat and grabbed the clevis hook and tow strap. Although he was pulling his winch cable out to hook to me when I was negotiating the trail to get in front of him, I explained to him that he didn't want to use his winch in that manner as it is hard on the brake/clutch setup in the winch. I explained they are designed to pull from the drum and not to be yanked on from a tow vehicle. I hope he appreciated my unwillingness to damage his winch but he really didn't say much.

Sadly, he probably didn't understand your explanation why you wouldn't want to use something it was not designed for.....

 

[zmotorsports]

Sadly, he probably didn't understand your explanation why you wouldn't want to use something it was not designed for.....

Yeah, I thought I did a good job of explaining why I didn't want to connect to his winch and wanted to use my tow strap but he either didn't understand or the mindset he was in wouldn't allow him to at the time. When I got back in the Jeep my wife asked why I didn't just connect to his winch and I told her that I didn't want to damage it. She said "I don't think he cared". Well maybe not, but I did. It's not in my nature to damage things or use things in a manner in which they were not designed, whether they're mine or not I just can't do it.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Trail Karma; you've got some on your side.

 

[Jayman17]

Mike thanks for posting more photos from another of your trips. Awesome looking scenery and some big open country! I really enjoy your trip photos.

Jay

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike thanks for posting more photos from another of your trips. Awesome looking scenery and some big open country! I really enjoy your trip photos.

Jay

Thanks Jay. I'm not sure how many people want to see vacation photos compared to shop or project photos so I appreciate the comments.

 

[Seagoon]

Thanks Jay. I'm not sure how many people want to see vacation photos compared to shop or project photos so I appreciate the comments.

I definitely enjoy your vacation photos. The landscapes you show are so different to anything we have here in Britain that it's always interesting.