The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed refurbishing bedsides

Working on the bed sides for my 1953 chevy one ton, nine foot bed. I'm stymied on how to clean up and paint the bed rolls and stake pockets. So far I've managed to sort of clean the bed rolls by using a wad of steel wool on the end of my stovepipe cleaning rods, sort of like swabbing out a gun barrel. But I can't figure out how to get the insides painted. Same for the stake pockets. I assume someone knows how to do this, but I haven't a clue. I've thought about painting the insides of the rolls by pulling a rag thru while pouring paint down inside, and letting the rag spread it on the insides, but that would get pretty messy. Open to suggestions if anyone has any.

Tim

I don't believe the inside of the bed rolls were even painted at the factory, other than what could be sprayed in from the ends.
Your plan of swabbing with a rag would get it painted, although you might use something like a sponge, which would get more paint where it needs to go and not all over the place.

Eastwood makes or rather sells an under-coating system that has an attachment that shoots paint out to the sides. It's intended to get material on enclosed sections. Has a long tube to get deep into frame rails and in this case truck bed. Used it on my chevelle and will be using it for your purpose on my truck.