The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Surprise, surprise, look what’s under me fender

A few of you may be familiar with that old red 3604 that I’ve been nit pickin’ at for the last three years. Yep it’ll be three years in September, and by now I thought I’d have her finished up. But I dint figure on the market crashing like it did or all those car shows that I took her to, and of course all the other things that got in the way.

A simple bumper change got me into the soup this time and it looks like I’ll at least get the front clip dressed up this winter. So what’s the surprise? Well I’ve been wondering what I was going to find when I pulled the front fenders and this morning I found out! Undercoating! That’s what I found! I wiped off the mud and found undercoating. Thank god for that undercoating all of the metal under it is in excellent like new condition. Some minor surface rust around the holes is about all I’m finding, I just couldn’t believe my eyes.
Now the dog and cat weren’t all that surprised by it, and my “big ol’ wife” couldn’t care less but I just had to tell someone who would understand. You do understand my elation don’t you guys????
Here’s a few pixs: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/body_work&page=2
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

That's great Denny. By the way, looks like 'ol red used to be 'ol blue.

It's so nice to get good news. I found undercoating on my front fenders as well. Under a nice protection of grease, mud and dirt. Amazing how dirt and grease can keep metal protected.

I have several jalopies that came from the salted road country that were undercoated. They too were protected except for the few spots the undercoating didn't get too and the salt did. I think 50 to 60 year old vehicles that weren't undercoated that drove salted roads are simply beyond repair by now.

The only thing SALT did good for me was preserve the plywood in the back of my panel..... wish I could have said the same for the metal.
Denny, the Stovebolt Gods do shine on us once in awhile. Good for you and I do understand your excitement!

Denny,
That is great news.

You know what I found when I took my fenders off...nothin... no paint, no undercoat, no metal (oh yeah...there was bondo).

It is good to see a positive find!

Rich

See Old Red , is taking care of You ,give her a smile and some new paint .


Pete

Yes, Big Red was Big Blue before the volunteer firemen had the Thursday night meeting and opened up the case of beer and case of red rattle cans. She’s putting on her original dress as soon as I can swing it.

And we’re workin’ on it as we speak Pete. But I gotta quit talking and get to work!!

This is the left front fender support after I washed the mud off. Can't believe this survived 60 years worth of under fender use: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/116683565
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,
I assume your going to do all the prep work, you going to shoot it also ?
Dan

You got lucky on your cowls also Denny. My driver side cowl is all rotted out and I know it's going to be a pain one day to fix. Looks like your entire truck body is in really good condition as far as rot is concerned.

Congrats!

Spot

I'd sure like to Dan. I like doing all the work myself, then when something gets screwed up I got no body but myself to blame.
I know Spot, about 95% of them I've looked at are in need of some sort of rusted panel replacement. The under side of the floor boards even still has the undercoating on it. Under the undercoating on the cowl behind the fenders the original Mariner Blue paint is still all intact.
Believe me, I'm one real happy camper. I though this was a nice one the minute that I saw it. I turned to my wife after a once over and said we're taking this one home with us. And it's turned out much better than I expected.
DG