The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Paint prep

Hi folks. I have a 53 3100. I'm doing a frame off restoration. I plan on doing my own metal work. Should I just prime the sheet metal and let the painter do the filler work for warranty reasons? I plan on having a "show" paint job on it. Also do I need to prep new sheet metal such as bed sides before priming them. If I do the filler work does it need to go on bare metal or over primer? I am way out of my league here so any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

If your planning "Show" quality and you have no experience you are better off leaving the prep to the pros. JMO🛠

Do some reading http://spiuserforum.com/index.php?forums/tech-tips.20/ if your really interested.

I repaired all of my sheet metal to the best of my limited abilities, including replacing rusty areas with new metal and working out dents, stopping before I made the panels worse .
Then I had my parts media blasted and epoxy primed. After this point, you can either apply body filler and work your panels, or take your parts to a professional to do the final body work. If you want a Show Quality paint job and you do not have any body work experience, you should let the professional do your body work.
Every panel on these trucks have compound curves which are the most challenging to get right for professionals, let alone amateurs.
I hope that you have deep pockets. There is no such thing as an inexpensive show quality paint job, unless $10,000 is walking around, folding money to you.
Carl

A man has to know his limitations. Think I'll do the metal work and let the painter take it from there. Thanks for the tips.

I've been waiting a long time to do this truck. Just ordered an engine for 25 to 30k so 10k on a nice paint job seems like money well spent. Thanks.

Mick53, Alright you go me really curious, but what motor are you running that cost $25-30K? We are all probably guilty on spendin a little more than we should on these old trucks at times, I know I am, but I've never heard of a motor running that kind of cost. I got the same line of thinking as Carl on trying to do as much as the body work as I can and then sending it off to have a professional finish and paint it.

Mick53, If you are going for a show quality paint job, don't bother touching any panel as most shops will not want to work on it if someone has started it because it's their name and warranty that's in jeopardy and all you've done is create more work for them to do.

Secondly, you will not get a show truck paint job for $10,000. A show truck paint job should be at minimum $30,000. Have you had anyone provide a quote yet? If not, I recommend that before you go much deeper. A common mistake that folks make is that paint jobs are cheap. Hopefully you haven't underestimated the cost.

Dang Darcy! Those Loonies must have really lost their value up there. I got a really nice show quality paint job on my '49 for just over $10,000 US. I did all of the metal work though. If I hadn't, the price would have doubled.
Carl

Hey Carl, You've got a great line of great work for sure!
As far as Loonies go, there's no difference when it comes to price tags... a cup of coffee is 2.50 if you're in Canada, The Netherlands or USA...
Cheers

We like pics... post some?

Hi guys, Gearte racing engines/ topp motersports is building me a supercharged 292 custom from the billet crank to the cnc crossflow head. Running roots weiand 142 and 3 Roch. 2 bbl carbs. Serpentine belt accessories, alternator and A/C. Electric P/S. With all that length will have to move it into the cab a little bit I think. Was going to do the serious fab work myself. Most of the body panels will be new. Thanks for all the advice. Will leave the paint and body work to the pros. I didn't think they would want to paint over my body work.