Both the step side and the Cameo box were in poor shape. The metal on the Cameo box was so rotten that it could not be used. So, all of the pictures here are from the step side. I cut out and replaced all of the rusted areas. I had to cut out and replace a 3-inch section out where the sides met the floor. I welded up all of the fender mounting holes, and used the Cameo as a pattern to drill new holes for the retractors, the retractor boxes, and new fender mounts for the Cameo fenders. If I was going to do it now, I would have also welded up the stake holes, because they are not necessary because I don’t haul any loads in this truck anymore. The fiberglass fenders were cracked. Broken, and missing parts of them. Fiberglass is a whole different animal then working with metal. I found that Bondo hair was the best product for rebuilding the damaged areas. I used flashing metal because it was easy to form and screwed it to the fender as a backer and put wax paper on it so that it would be easy to get it to release from the fiberglass. After the flashing was removed the screw holes were filled and the excess material was trimmed to the proper shape. All bodywork that you do with especially fiberglass you want to do by hand using a longboard sander. All of the work on my truck was done this way because using power tools you tend to over sand and can’t get a feel for if before its too late. Bodywork is all about practice makes perfect. Everybody learns this way, its more of an art. When you think it’s ready, it will take at least 4 more trips around each panel to make it ready for paint. I would go around with a fluorescent light to see any imperfections and mark them with small pieces of tape, fix them, and then do it again and again until you couldn’t find anymore. I just felt that with the expense and time spent, I might as well do the best that I could.
