The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Cab Stripping

02/10/06 I picked up my cab and other parts from American Metal Cleaning today. Not sure that I could have been happier.

Photos - click here.

The cab looks great and only two surprises. Two additional holes
I was not expecting. Looks like there was very little filler used on it during it's many paint jobs over the years. It's pretty cool - the bolts that were froze tight are all loose now. If I ever do this again, the first step would be sending it in to get "cleaned" before battling the rusted bolts.
I'll be getting the patch panels from "metalman" installed and the entire thing primed in the next couple weeks.
As you can see in the photos below, I also had the steering & brake components done as well as the bell housing, valve cover and rear cab panel. All turned out great!!! Just look at the 01/01/06 entry on the brakes to see what a difference this makes!!!

Lookin great Tim!

Now I am getting impatient to start the body work!

It probably said, but was looking at pictures instead...you had it dipped or media blasted or both?

I had it dipped.

Nice pics, and great website Tim, cant wait to start on my 50 half ton, lots a work ahead, did the M-K bed kit work out allright? I need the front bed panel for sure, hope to get on it this spring. Mike

I know it is not polite to ask...but what did it cost you to get the cab dipped? I like what I see!

I think the cab was $950. The whole works was $1300. I know media blasting would have been cheaper but I wanted to make sure every nook & cranny was cleaned. Now i'm debating if I should have the frame dipped ($400) or go the more inexpensive route and have it blasted.

Have you thought about getting the frame galvanized? My Chassis came out nice and they got to every hidded place on it and i didn't need to paint it after. Nice job on the cab!

Interesting thought. If you don;t mind me asking what does it cost to get a frame galvanized. I have considered e-coating and powder coating but I will likely just use zero rust.

I'm no expert when it comes to galvanizing a truck frame but I am in the steel business and we have a large quantity of steel galvanized everyday. The steel is dipped into the molten zinc at a temperature over 850 degrees. If not handled properly there could be considerable warping. When we have fabricated frames or trusses there are special ways of dipping them.
Good luck. Typically galvanizing can cost anywhere from $.13 to $.25 per lb.
Brian

I checked with the local galvanizers on weather it would effect the chassis. he assured me that it would be ok (and it was) and showed me a 4WD chassis which had just come out of the process.
I liked the idea that i didn't have to paint the chassis and it wouldn't rust in the hidden places while i had to leave it outside until my cab was finished. it cost me about AUS$300, which i thought was worth it.
Brendon

That cab looked great Tim! I wonder if there is a place close to upstate South Carolina to have that done? I'd like to strip the cab and start with the good solid metal. What was the parts coated with afterward?

Truckwhisperer, not in upstate SC but if you don't mind the drive there's Unpaint in Atlanta GA. May be something else closer to you.

Truckwhisperer, I'm located in the upstate to. Are you close by?? Drop me a private message.

look under "metal cleaning" ni the yellow pages or in Google Local.

Check Hemming's motor news, have seen some ads for stripping companies in there.