Chopped 55 f100

[Duke55]

You’re work is incredible!!!!!! Thanks for sharing !!
You and mp&c are inspiring that I need to push myself to make things better when working on my projects. Thanks
On you’re planishing hammer buid in the merc project , did you use just regular box store black (gas) pipe ?

Thank you, I am honored you mentioned me in the same context as MP&C. He inspires me to do better also.

As far as the p-hammer frames they are just black pipe. I get it from my local weld shop and it looks like DOM quality outer finish and not the typical box store rough finish. For the two smaller frames I built the 3/4” schedule 40 black pipe (~1” OD) works good. Anything with a deeper reach really needs bigger diameter pipe if using for shaping. Will work for smoothing.


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[ddawg16]

Holly cow....just found this thread....not sure how I missed it......

Great story....great work.....keep it up bro....

 

[Duke55]

Royce, that's some amazing work! Nice to see a red-headed step-child get some love.

Ha, leave it to me to put lipstick on a pig.


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[jfdestree]

You’re work is incredible!!!!!! Thanks for sharing !!
You and mp&c are inspiring that I need to push myself to make things better when working on my projects. Thanks
On you’re planishing hammer buid in the merc project , did you use just regular box store black (gas) pipe ?

Same here.

Those threads are the only I follow and I re read them regularly.
The kind of info you don't find in any regular bodyshop

 

[Duke55]

Shot the inside of the van yesterday.






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[MP&C]

Beautiful work!

 

[Duke55]

Thanks Robert. For me the inside is one of the most dreaded parts. Just need to get past the color sanding a buffing on the inside then it should get a bunch easier.


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[Duke55]

One more with some sun.




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[Toolfool]

Very nice.

 

[patrickg20]

Just read through your entire thread. Great work! Subscribed and I can't wait to see more of your work.

 

[TimeWarpF100]

Shot the inside of the van yesterday.






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Very very nice! Really looking forward to seeing this project finished . .

 

[Duke55]

More progress






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[don long]

Royce
When are you planning to stop in again???
I could use a little help on the corvette (not the lace though)

Your work is just stunning and I'm proud to say I know that guy.

 

[Toolfool]

Royce
When are you planning to stop in again???
I could use a little help on the corvette (not the lace though)

Your work is just stunning and I'm proud to say I know that guy.

He's mobile ?!/! Put me on the list !!

 

[Duke55]

Royce

When are you planning to stop in again???

I could use a little help on the corvette (not the lace though)



Your work is just stunning and I'm proud to say I know that guy.

Thanks Don that really means a lot coming from you. I am thinking about going to the West Coast Kustoms show in Santa Maria that is the end of May.

Lace has its place and I agree it’s not on your corvette. It’s also addicting so don’t try it if your weak!




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[Duke55]

He's mobile ?!/! Put me on the list !!

If I am passing through I am glad to stop by.


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[Duke55]

Couple up close shots showing the crisp lines on the lace. Love it when they turn out crisp.






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[Toolfool]

If I am passing through I am glad to stop by.


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Any time....

 

[wasfast]

Is the lace adhered to the surface at all when sprayed? Even on low pressure, it seems the air would cause it to lift. Lots of distance perhaps from the tip to work surface? In any case, your work is absolutely fabulous.

 

[Duke55]

Is the lace adhered to the surface at all when sprayed? Even on low pressure, it seems the air would cause it to lift. Lots of distance perhaps from the tip to work surface? In any case, your work is absolutely fabulous.

On this project I have been experimenting with using a Loctite spray adhesive similar to 3M 77. Apply a lite coat, let it sit for a while then apply it. Feels about like a tack rag. Still have to use tape to hold the weight of the lace but the tackiness keeps the lace from moving around. Prior to applying clear or kandy I run a tack rag over it to ensure no residues were left behind. Also run low air pressure and only apply one even coat.

Pretty sure I will be using this method on all lace jobs going forward.


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[C_F]

That lace looks amazing, almost three dimensional!

Thanks for sharing your progress photos, and taking us all along for the ride.

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

Royce, it looks phenominal.

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for following along and the compliments!

Sprayed the final clear on the roof today. Used a Devilbiss Tekna Pro lite gun I picked up for the first time. Will take some more getting used too but feels like cheating compared to my old conventional SATAs.










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[HOTFR8]

WOW. That looks great.

 

[gasgas17]

Nice! How long does that take to dry to the touch?

 

[xtremek]

So sweet. Nuff said

 

[Duke55]

Some more progress









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[TimeWarpF100]

Some more progress









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Looks fantastic! Good to see vans making a comeback . .

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for following and all the comments. Van is just about ready to be buffed. Was sanded to 3500 grit (blocked by hand with 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 then DA for 3500).






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[C_F]

I was expecting more cool patterns below the white sides, but it sounds like you're going to wrap it up? Regardless, it's going to be amazing once you're finished!

 

[Duke55]

I was expecting more cool patterns below the white sides, but it sounds like you're going to wrap it up? Regardless, it's going to be amazing once you're finished!

Thanks. Generally I like being a little unpredictable. I have said many times that roofs IMO are fair game to go crazy. The main body I generally tone down unless I have a statement I want to make. This one I wanted subtle blending of similar colors to give a bit more than ghost panels. To me it’s a nice touch considering the color will be quite dramatic in the sun. I also believe this better fits the likely hand painted sign that will be in the white section.


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[Toolfool]

Sign !?! It already has a big sign that says " LOOK AT ME !!"

 

[C_F]

Thanks. Generally I like being a little unpredictable. I have said many times that roofs IMO are fair game to go crazy. The main body I generally tone down unless I have a statement I want to make. This one I wanted subtle blending of similar colors to give a bit more than ghost panels. To me it’s a nice touch considering the color will be quite dramatic in the sun. I also believe this better fits the likely hand painted sign that will be in the white section.

Makes sense to me!

 

[txvwnut]

What color is the bottom half? It’s looking really good.

 

[Duke55]

What color is the bottom half? It’s looking really good.

It’s pagan gold kandy over a black base. The orange color on the roof and in the lace is pagan gold kandy over gold base.


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[don long]

Royce
That van is over the top
I've never tried the custom stuff with paint. It's hard enough to just lay down a nice paint job. Color sanding is a royal pita and by hand is very time consuming. I've always stopped at 2500 never tried 3500.
Man does that paint look goooood

 

[Duke55]

Royce

That van is over the top

I've never tried the custom stuff with paint. It's hard enough to just lay down a nice paint job. Color sanding is a royal pita and by hand is very time consuming. I've always stopped at 2500 never tried 3500.

Man does that paint look goooood

Thanks Don. I have had good luck stopping at 2000 grit. Only went to 3500 since I could do it with the DA easily since the van has so much flat area.

As far as custom paint it’s another addicting habit I have. I am certain the nicest paint job I have done was that black Tudor sedan and it was by far the fastest and easiest. Funny part is I really like the look of solid color customs and hot rods but when it comes time to paint I have a hard time picking a solid color.

Likely won’t get myself to go solid color on my Merc but the next two after that probably will be.


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[Duke55]

Had a little bit of sun out today so I pulled the van out to see how it looks. The blends are very ghost like. They disappear when your not close to it then they are very obvious when up close.








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[nonhog]

As awesome as it looks in pics, I bet its even better in the sunlight! So cool!

 

[txvwnut]

Yeah I bet that’s one you gotta see in person to appreciate it.

You keeping those wheels on it Royce?