E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

After many - MANY - hours of sanding, she's finally ready (almost?) for a last coat of primer! I say almost, because there's always something....some little nick or ripple or dent to repair...of which I found a few inside the box...
But after I clean that up I'll spray a few final coats of 2K, then let it sit a week to dry and shrink, then block-wetsand it with 400. After that it'll go to the paint shop where they'll spray a sealer, then color coat it. I am thinking I'll take it there as is and they car disassemble it for paint as it's held together with few bolts. We'll see.

 

[MP&C]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Almost ready for the next one!

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Almost ready for the next one!

Ya - after 50-100 hours of re-assembly! And since I didn't strip this one, youknow how that'll go!!! Oh well, they pay me to THINK too I guess!

 

[thomfr]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Ya - after 50-100 hours of re-assembly! And since I didn't strip this one, youknow how that'll go!!! Oh well, they pay me to THINK too I guess!

Just to be sure (because you did not strip it), are ALL parts to be painted and fitted/adjusted available? Just ask, because at my last project after double checking still found a few small items missing and/or rotten AFTER the painting.

(my fault, I know, but I know the frustration damn well and my painter also..).

Thom

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Just to be sure (because you did not strip it), are ALL parts to be painted and fitted/adjusted available? Just ask, because at my last project after double checking still found a few small items missing and/or rotten AFTER the painting.

(my fault, I know, but I know the frustration damn well and my painter also..).

Thom

You know, although I knew that, I will make SURE now to seek everything out in detail because of your comment. Thanks.

 

[Motown 454]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Its looking good. How long is it best to wait to block sand is 1-2 weeks good or the longer the better?

 

[sdetweil]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

You know, although I knew that, I will make SURE now to seek everything out in detail because of your comment. Thanks.

and make sure you have some small alignment holes (1/8th drill bit) so you can put the pieces back where you have them set now.

I did this on my 55ford truck and am glad I did, getting the doors lined up again was a pain.

Sam

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Its looking good. How long is it best to wait to block sand is 1-2 weeks good or the longer the better?

1-2 weeks is plenty. Plus - for todays base/clears - the finer you do a final sand the better. I just spoke to one of the top painters in my area and told him I'd be wetsanding in 400 then 600 to finish and he said to go over it with 1000 grit at the end. Just to minimize and sand marks - which especially will show on dark colors
.

and make sure you have some small alignment holes (1/8th drill bit) so you can put the pieces back where you have them set now.

I did this on my 55ford truck and am glad I did, getting the doors lined up again was a pain.

Sam

I know that is a great idea and do it where I can, but on some doors - epecially this type, I'm not sure where to drill the holes.

 

[4StarCstms]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Looking sharp. I dont remember what color is it going to be?? Back original or something different?

 

[MalibuLX3]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I anxiously await your updates in this thread. I can't wait to see the truck after paint. I bet it will fly going back together now that you have all the hard work out of the way.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Looking sharp. I dont remember what color is it going to be?? Back original or something different?

Original. Seafoam Green Exterior with Gray Interior.....Stained wood bed with SS strips.

 

[roofster]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

e-tek, great documentation and detail. Read the 15 pages yesterday & today. I'm slowly restoring my '57 3100 driver and found this just awesomely inspiring. Somewhat scary too for all the time it really takes. Looking forward to seeing this one after paint.

My door needs a similar fix where you welded the puller on, so that was real helpful.

Wondering how do you avoid having sandblasted parts flash rust before paint?

Have you tried Ospho? It’s a Phosphoric Acid solution.

A 3100 is the American 1/2 ton, 3200 is 3/4 ton and 3600 is 1 ton. Pretty sure the 1300 is Canadian version of the 3100.

 

[MP&C]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Roofster, the only thing I would caution with using any ospho type product, is to be sure it is compatible with the primer you plan on using, otherwise you may run into paint issues (lifting, bubbling, etc) down the road, which normally show up a few months after all the paint goes on and your vehicle has had some "sun" time.

 

[MilhouseW]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

A 3100 is the American 1/2 ton, 3200 is 3/4 ton and 3600 is 1 ton

Just a slight correction Roofster - the 3100 is the 1/2 ton short bed, 3200 is the 1/2 ton long bed, 3600 is the 3/4 ton, and 3800 is the 1 ton.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

e-tek, great documentation and detail. Read the 15 pages yesterday & today. I'm slowly restoring my '57 3100 driver and found this just awesomely inspiring. Somewhat scary too for all the time it really takes. Looking forward to seeing this one after paint.

My door needs a similar fix where you welded the puller on, so that was real helpful.

Wondering how do you avoid having sandblasted parts flash rust before paint?

Have you tried Ospho? It’s a Phosphoric Acid solution.

A 3100 is the American 1/2 ton, 3200 is 3/4 ton and 3600 is 1 ton. Pretty sure the 1300 is Canadian version of the 3100.

Thanks for the kind words. I enjoy doing (most) of it!

As for avoiding flash rust after sandblasting? It's key to get a good primer on it right afterwards, especially if you're in a humid area. Right after sandblasting, blowing it clean and wiping it down with a wax&grease solvent, you can either put on an etch primer, an epoxy primer, or something like POR15, which I did to this trucks frame and inner panels. On the Challenger I did last year, I opted for etch, then 2K high-build.

As for Phosphoric Acid, I use a lot of it, normally Metal Ready from POR15, but not normally if I've sandblasted all the rust away. I"ll use it if I've grinded/sanded the rust, to kill anything hiding in the pitted metal. After that, I wipe it down a few times with wax and grease remover (reducer or acetone works too) before priming it. I've also used POR15 as a base-primer over rust before some 2K and I've been experimenting with Eastwoods Rust Converter - seems very good as well. If you want some more light reading, check out my website, where I try to post up decent info on stuff I've used.

Just a slight correction Roofster - the 3100 is the 1/2 ton short bed, 3200 is the 1/2 ton long bed, 3600 is the 3/4 ton, and 3800 is the 1 ton.

So I'm guessing this one is a 3200 as it has the 8' box. I love GJ: Learned something in my own thread - thanks!



So, what's happening now you ask.....other than more priming and block-sanding, nothing. I hate it, I'm burned out on it and I have to do it!!! Another 2-3 weeks of it before I can get it to the paint shop....

 

[Juday]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Very cool! I can see now why you were so interesting in my old '51 Dodge! I can't wait to see the outcome. Keep up the good work!

 

[Motown 454]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

e-tek How's the project coming?? I miss your updates.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Hey Motown - Thanks for asking! It sat through January and Febuary, due to me getting BUSY at my "real" job, lots happening at home (sick kid) and other distractions. All it needed was some final sanding and for me to put the FINAL coat of high build primer on it, which I did today. We are now looking for a shop to paint it (in pieces). Once that's done, it can be re-assembled - which is the fun and satisfyng part!

Here's how it looks today, after about 250 hours work on my part, plus what it took the owners to dismantle it...

 

[jktruck150]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Primer never looks soo ****! Lookin good there e-tek!

 

[Motown 454]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

First I hope the health situation is better . I agree with Jason it looks great.

 

[4StarCstms]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

It looks Awesome. To bad your so far away, I'd offer up my Buddy's shop & Paint booth to let ya get it sprayed.

 

[MilhouseW]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E-tek, I'm not sure if you mentioned this before (and I'm sorry if I missed it), but what do you do to prepare and setup your garage before you do any sanding and painting in there? From the pictures it looks like everything is still nice and clean, and without over-spray, even after all this bodywork.

Great job on the truck! I love the updates and it provides great suggestions and motivation to work on my own '55 Chevy truck.

 

[JCQuick]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

this is a very cool thread can't wait to see this thing finished

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E-tek, I'm not sure if you mentioned this before (and I'm sorry if I missed it), but what do you do to prepare and setup your garage before you do any sanding and painting in there? From the pictures it looks like everything is still nice and clean, and without over-spray, even after all this bodywork.

Great job on the truck! I love the updates and it provides great suggestions and motivation to work on my own '55 Chevy truck.

Sorry I missed this Q Milhouse... I have aircraft wire stretched across the ceiling that I hang 6 mil plastic sheeting from. I weight the bottoms, wet down the floor and have a fan in one wall. I've primed several cars like this and painted my Challenger (base/clear) like that. It works OK, but between the primer, paint and sanding, the place still gets pretty dirty! I do a fair amount of vacuuming and wiping down afterwards!

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Nice I have a '56 3200 Long bed I bought for $400 when I was 17, 16 years ago and between school, starting a family, and bad health for about 6 year period all I have been able to do is get it off the frame.

someday..................


Thanks for sharing

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Nice I have a '56 3200 Long bed I bought for $400 when I was 17, 16 years ago and between school, starting a family, and bad health for about 6 year period all I have been able to do is get it off the frame.

someday..................


Thanks for sharing

Just do a little at a time. I always think: Just move it forward....

 

[Truckrolet]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I've followed your work on these trucks on other sites, you do great work.
This is my first post on this site.
A question when doing the rear cab corners I guess you do the outer first then put the inner in? Can't get a dolly behind with the inner in first. And wow, drilling spot welds is not my idea of fun. I got a nice special spot weld cutter bit to do it.

 

[Motown 454]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

e-tek How you doing? Getting any time on the truck, or is the reno project got you too busy?

 

[Truckrolet]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E-tek, sure wish you would continue with this thread

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I've followed your work on these trucks on other sites, you do great work.
This is my first post on this site.
A question when doing the rear cab corners I guess you do the outer first then put the inner in? Can't get a dolly behind with the inner in first. And wow, drilling spot welds is not my idea of fun. I got a nice special spot weld cutter bit to do it.

E-tek, sure wish you would continue with this thread

OK then! Been waiting for it to GO to paint, but it finally went! Should be back next week or 2. As for the corners, yes, when splicing it's easier to weld in the inner, then drill spot-weld holes to weld the outer onto it. As for spot-weld holes, I like to sand or grind over the area with something flat (block or holding grind disc flat to find them, then mark the centre with a centre-punch and use a 1/2" drill to cut the welds out. Often I then use a cutting chisel to seperate the bits the drill didn't cut.

e-tek How you doing? Getting any time on the truck, or is the reno project got you too busy?

Like I said, the truck finally went to paint, which is giving me time for the reno!

 

[MalibuLX3]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Any updates on the truck yet?

 

[HOTFR8]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Ed has taken a break over Summer so we may not get an update for some time, well at least that is what he told me via email a few days ago.

 

[gustoffur]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

The truck is back at E-Tek's and he has started re assembling it. The engine should be leaving my garage en route to his tomorrow afternoon.

 

[e-tek]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Howdy all!!

After a few weeks at the paint shop, the truck is back in the E-tek compound, ready to be massaged into a complete driver once again. The painter did a decent job on the cab, flow-out is good and the shine is to die for. There's a little sand in the interior paint, but most of that will be hidden by interior pieces. Haven't got the box pieces back yet, but hopefully they look as good!

Now if someone can just tell me where all these parts belong, I'd be able to put this thing together!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I will be!!

 

[54FordPanel]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Glad you're back, Ed. I was wondering if everything was ok....

Truck looks good.

 

[HOTFR8]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Good to see some progress and that your now longer MIA. Enjoy your Summer.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Woooo that turned out nice. I'm thinking it might take more than the summer to put it all back together though?
Unless your a free man.

 

[jktruck150]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Good paint color! Looks like it turned out great from here!

 

[JCQuick]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

that last part green thing with numbers on it goes on the bumper. I hope I helped

 

[wrigh003]

Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Looking good- love that 50s green.

Where on the restoration<-------------->hotrod continuum does this project land? Straight back to stock, minor changes, major mechanical hotrodding, airbags etc? I know a lot of people don’t mind it, but for my part I’d prefer moving the fuel tank out of the cab. I saw that the straps were left in there at one point, but I haven’t been able to tell if the fuel filler was left- which way is that going?

cool old truck- looking better all the time.