Chopped 55 f100

[MP&C]

Chris can really work magic with sheet metal... Nice you got one of his piece's

 

[Duke55]

Entire car is sanded and now I am priming everything again - should be the last time priming for the vast majority of the components.

Did a bunch of components today. Should get the body and the rest of the components primed sometime this week.






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[Duke55]

Sprayed the first batch of sedan parts yesterday. First black car I have done and I am just having too much fun with reflections.

Hood


Hood


Door




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[johno]

I'm impressed

 

[MP&C]

Awesome!

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

I'm really impressed! I've followed a BMW E30 built once that had similar reflections on the black paint and there were months and months of prework that went into that. It's really impressive!

 

[GodSpeed]

Those louvers are Rad.

 

[R-Savage]

Love it! Great Work. I will love to see the finished project.

 

[Duke55]

Next batch through the booth. Was a little painful since the owner did not want the motor or body pulled.





Too bad he doesn't want a highboy in pieces, I would be almost done.


Single stage is definitely making a mess in the booth.

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[Wanna Ride]

Wow. Just wow. Spent the last couple hours reading through this. Excellent work, sir.

 

[Duke55]

Haven't had too much time to work on the car. Got some assembly work done then pulled out of the booth so I can get the fenders painted.

Also had a friend at work ask if his son could shoot some pictures of my truck. I said sure anytime. He showed up with a ton of equipment and really surpassed my expectations. Here are the first few shots he has sent. Gonna have to make some cool prints for the basement.










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[JoniH]

Just wow, awesome work and cars, really like the look of the F100.

 

[HOTFR8]

Well some great photos and I hope you have more to share with us.

 

[Duke55]

One more picture showed up today




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[Duke55]

Day jobs been keeping away from the sedan for a couple weeks but I finally got the next batch sprayed.

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[csp]

With all this talent you have for metal work and painting, I'm curious, what is the day job?

 

[yaidunno]

I've often passed over this thread for no particular reason. Boy, do I feel like an idiot. To restate the obvious, your work is certainly first rate and something to be proud of. I like the desolate and mountainous backdrops of the outdoor shots. Really brings out the detail in your work.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[white6589]

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Judging the reflection it looks like you have a real nice back door view!

I enjoy the thread.

Steve

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Greetings Duke55
Would you share what type of gun and clear your using?
Very nice work!
Thank you.
Greg

 

[Duke55]

With all this talent you have for metal work and painting, I'm curious, what is the day job?

Chief Engineer for an Aerospace and Defense company. Early in my career I designed and got my hands dirty fabricating all kinds of cool defense products but the longer I am there the less hands on work I do and the more meetings I support. So my backyard shop is now how I stay sane. Funny because the same shop drives my wife insane.


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[Duke55]

Greetings Duke55

Would you share what type of gun and clear your using?

Very nice work!

Thank you.

Greg

Nothing special here. For this I used about a 20 year old conventional Sata. As far as paint the first two coats are PPG 9300 single stage and the next two coats are the 9300 mixed 50/50 with 2021 clear. Adding the clear in makes all the difference for how well this stuff flows out.


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[Duke55]

Put all the sheet meta on the car.




First attempt at a scratch built headliner. Took me all day but honestly turned out better than I expected.


Put a servo motor on my dads old machine to slow it down to my beginner pace.




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[MP&C]

Royce, beautiful work!

 

[Toolfool]

Wow, you do some beautiful work.

 

[C_F]

I don't know how I've missed this thread until today, but WOW, was I missing out! And it only took me a little over 4 hours to get to the temporary end.

I absolutely love everything about the '55 build, even the hammer shifter. It's really cool that it's been in the family for three generations (so far), and that you've finally been able to finish it. I really need to see it in person next time you take it to a local car show.

You're one talented dude, just in case nobody has told you. Looking forward to future installments!

 

[gearheads78]

Wow just went though this whole thread. Incredible work especially your paint. The only small critique I have is your choice of tires and wheels on the 55. Its such a nice high end build and wheels are something you throw on an EBAY flip car. Its screaming for some mirror polished Halibrands or custom billets.

I am looking forward to seeing more of your future work.

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for all the replies! As for the 55 wheels I don't disagree. This is a result of building the truck on the fly and developed the vision as I went. The wheels were ordered near the start so I could get everything fit right. It was on my list to change wheels this last summer. But when I took on this latest project I have been too busy to get the truck out to many show so it went down on priority. Also debating on a couple different wheel options. Next year I plan to go to a couple cool shows so hopefully I'll get them done before that.


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[Duke55]

Little more progress. Learning as I go and keep finding that in hindsight I would do in a different order but I guess that is the typical way I learn.

More work on headliner, overhead console that is hinged in the front. Wind lace around doors and panels above door.





Rear corners. Soaked in water then ran through my slip roller a couple times to loosen up the material. Then clamped to these profile gauges. Hoping it will hold shape when it dries. If not I'll attach the gauges permanently to hold shape.





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[Budman01]

Great looking truck. Your dad would be very proud I'm sure, and 100 extra points for NOT putting a sbc in it. Mike

I'll add another hundred, for a super-great-pure bloodline, the truck and you...following dad, grandad.
You done good!
I've finally reached the last page and am mesmerized by your handy work.

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for all the great compliments! I really appreciate it.

The rear corners held shape perfectly and felt just like new as far as stiffness/strength. Picture below shows the profile gauges removed and the gradual radius on the top edge and the much tighter radius on the bottom edge.



Finished all the upper panels





Pulled the car out to clean the shop









Really need to pick up some carpet before I can go too much further.


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[C_F]

That car is turning out fantastic!
Is the rest of the interior going to be white also, or just the upper portion?

 

[MP&C]

Talk about paint a mile deep! Is it single stage or perhaps some kandy in the mix?

 

[Duke55]

The lower interior and seats will be pleated white. Carpet will be grey or charcoal.

The first two coats are ppg 9300 single stage and the last three coats are the 9300 mixed 50/50 with 2021 clear.

Adding the clear in changes everything. No way I will shoot plain single stage again.


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[Kevin54]

Damn....that reflection on that paint is unreal!!!!

 

[Duke55]

Did the first door panel today. Took me all day. Amazing how long it is taking me but I guess I am glad it worked out considering. In hindsight I should of started/learned on the rear panels since they are much less visible.






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[Duke55]

Finally finished my work on the car.







Will post finished pictures once the owner installs the wheels/tires, headlights and seats.


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[C_F]

Looks absolutely fantastic!

I was hoping you were going to say that tires & wheels are coming soon, because what's currently on it, just ain't making it.

 

[Duke55]

Dropped off the 32 yesterday and picked up the 51 merc and one load of parts. Need to go back and get the front clip and the rest of the parts next weekend.



I will start another build thread for this one shortly.


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[Duck]

Oh boy I can hardly wait to see this one!
My now deceased brother (who would be 74) had owned a '48 Merc ragtop since he was about 15 years old.
Duck

 

[MP&C]

Got skirts with it? Nice Merc!