SkippyMack

2 minutes ago, hicrop10 said:

Looks great,the color combination is awesome.

Thank you!  I'm planning a cool white detail on the hood that I think will really pull it all together!

Getting closer and closer!  The white paint has a few places that need some attention.  I think we got an incorrect P sheet and the mix ended up a little thin, so I have a couple of runs, but nothing that can't be leveled out and buffed back. I'm attacking the nose piece next!

On another note: do you have a bed liner or undercoat type paint that you love? Matte black, textured.  I'm going to paint the rocker under the door around the back - stepping up just to the bottom of the three "panels".  The rockers had to be completely reconstructed and there are visible weldments. The lower portion of the back of the cab had been repaired multiple times (for function only).  Since we're putting a custom bed on her, it made sense to not worry about a pristine repair back there, and I think and undercoat paint will be perfect.  

https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

My husband had a delivery to do today and my kiddo was able to play outside with his cousin, so I was solo all day on bodywork - and friends, I gotta say, the final detailing of the cab came out better than I planned!  A quiet day with no other obligations proved to be super productive!  I shot rattle can primer/builder over my work and tonight we got another layer of high build primer sprayed before calling it a night.  Even my husband was impressed. 🤩

So, the cab will be in her top coat tomorrow morning!  

Feelin' like a million bucks!

Most recent pictures load first (except the first two, which were at the beginning of the day today): https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

1 hour ago, Brocky said:

Skippy,

Thank you for keeping us posted with your progress, your family is doing great work, especially the  fine pictures.. I have been following it from the start..

What I am most impressed with is that your truck is a FAMILY project!! That you have motivated your son to be involved shows us the loving your family has in all of its life. You can be sure that he will value this truck as the "family truck" until he becomes an old man..

Brocky,

Thank you for following along and for the support!  Our son has grown up surrounded by cool projects since he was an infant.  His first visit to the shop was at seven days old.  Shortly after, we put a swing in the shop and he would swing for hours and hours observing projects come to life: boats, planes, jet cars, motorcycles, all kinds of things - as soon as he was old enough to help out, he's been on it! He's got a lot of creativity and natural talent in mechanical and engineering ability, so we foster it as much as we can!  Although my Mack has made it to #3 on his list of favorite trucks in our "fleet", I'll be hard pressed to top his obsession with our old GMC dump truck "Dumpy" - that one is his passion!  He is looking forward to riding around in the Mack, though - and he's a good helper!  😄

2 hours ago, tjc transport said:

Streak the primer with rattle can flat black paint. It will help when final sand fo perfect flat surfaces.

Simply long board until the black is gone, and the panel will be perfectly flat.

Oooo!  Cool tip.  Thanks!

18 hours ago, mowerman said:

 Man that’s a beautiful design on those doors yes I will also be painting my truck all apart if I ever get to it God love you for diving on that thing keep up the good work little girl and thanks for keeping us posted also have you ever heard of Power tools??????? Sanding is a breeze with them ha ha Ha... bob

Ha!  Thanks, Bob!  Yes, we have and use power tools (I've gone through countless packages of orbital sander 80 grit disks! But there are some things that require hand work, a sanding block, or a little piece of sand paper, especially on all these curves! 😆

Trust me, I've have my fair share of moments regretting not stripping the paint, but I couldn't see removing the cab and in the order we tackled the project...well it didn't make sense. 

There is a light at the end of this tunnel!

On 3/5/2021 at 12:09 PM, mowerman said:

And yes the color is gorgeous seats will go real good in there still don’t get the blue dashboard ha ha Ha as I mentioned before you’ve done more work on that truck in one week than I have done in 27 years ha ha keep it up and thanks for keeping us posted doors look amazing... bob

Bob,

The interior is more green than blue, in my opinion.  "Verde Green" is the name of the color. It doesn't photograph authentically - different in natural light than in the photos.  I choose it for the hammered finish and because it echoed the vintage vibe of the original green.  The interior door panels will also be that color.  It works for me. ♥️

Update from the Brattleboro Historical Society on the Guildford Paper Co., Inc.

This all makes me happy to give this truck a new lease on life surround with a bit more positive energy than in her former one!

Stay tuned for pictures of the doors with top coat tonight!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!

3 hours ago, Mark T said:

That lettering will come off and all, and feather in. If you stripped the doors to bare metal ???  certain angles you'd still see it right in the metal.  Most likely old lead based from that era. You won't see it after prepping it as you have.  I'm wondering how the progress on this truck allows time for so many pictures ?? Think I can speak for lots of us here.....keep'm coming 

We're spraying primer on the doors now!  I can't not document...drives my husband nuts, but then he's always grateful I have so many pictures of our projects coming to life!

On 2/26/2021 at 6:47 PM, Rob said:

I was in the Navy with a guy whom worked there a short while and was let go in 1983. His father worked there also and if I remember correctly they were preparing to shut down in that timeframe.

No kidding!  Thanks for the info.

On 2/26/2021 at 4:47 PM, Mark T said:

That door picture is quite a find. I hope that guy does have a picture or two of that truck from when it was in service.  The repair on the bottom where the red putty is exposed would almost suggest that was done late '70s or early '80s (???)   probably lead based paint on the lettering. You could strip that door to bare metal and you'll still see that burned into it.  May want to have a good mask on when sanding 😷

The paint under and over the lettering definitely aged differently - really cracked.  I did get it all off!  Got both doors repaired (glass and Bondo) and did an initial rattle can primer this weekend.  I detailed the lingering scratches with Nitro-Stan and wet sanded with 320.  Doors are surprisingly silky smooth - far beyond my expectations!  Oh, yeah!!  Tomorrow we'll spray the high-build primer and I'll be back to wet sanding on Tuesday.  Wednesday we're spraying top coat.  Things are feeling pretty real!  

Today I also cut aluminum plates to cover the interior holes above the doors that housed the light fixtures (which were no good).  I was able to retrofit some LED license plate lights utilizing the original screw holes and they look pretty darn good.

Things are looking good for my mid-late April timeline.

Most recent pictures load first: https://sjcreativevt.pixieset.com/skippymack/

Just now, Brocky said:

Skippy, Good!!  But try Dave also as he might have pictures of your truck when it was working for the Paper Co and/or more history on it since the Mack museum is still closed.

Thank you!

I heard back from the Brattleboro Historical Society and office of the town Assessor, both confirmed that GUILFORD PAPER CO, INC. was located in Brattleboro in the 1950's through the 1980's.  It appears they closed sometime after being charged with dumping waste into a setback that drained into the Connecticut River.  Mystery solved.

Also...cab is ready for primer!

Friends, 

Back to my air cleaner.  Many of you have provided great feedback on cleaning the unit.  Here's the dilemma: turns out the need for cleaning is not just general dust and dirt, but organic material brought in by mice (at some point) for nesting.  Thoughts?

6 hours ago, Licensed to kill said:

I've been following your progress religiously. It is going to be spectacular when it's done. great job both of you. The seats turned out great. My wife bought an industrial sewing machine to do the interior of her Model A and is still learning and getting accessories and the like that she needs. Her projects are piling up. She did the seat in a little shriners Model T that I am rebuilding for the grandkids as a first project but has the seats to do in 3 B-61's now as well as the seats for my '31 model A delivery and then whole interior for her '28 model A sedan. Oh, a coupe of snowmobile seats as well. She's gonna be busy. Thanks for the regular updates. They are much appreciated. 

Ah!  Thanks so much!  I know it won't look like much until we get the body work done, but for anyone who has engaged in any kind of restoration, I think you can appreciate the hundreds of hours that go into these projects!  I'm still getting my old industrial Juki machine in good working order.  I actually did these seats on my trusty Singer "Heavy Duty" model.  Given the fact that they are mostly straight panels with only those two side panels that have any curves, it was pretty doable.  Sounds like your wife will be well versed in these seats when she's done her current list!  Thank you again for following along, it has made the work extra fun to know others are appreciating the progress, too.  Can't wait to roll her out on the road in the spring and do a full video tour.  Back to my "snow day" escapades! 

Cheers,

SJ

3 hours ago, Freightrain said:

I took my air cleaner to my local motor shop I use and had them hot tank the body.  Crystal clean and was ready for fresh paint.  I recall most manuals show the cleaner being submerged in fuel to wash it out.  

As for oil?  I just use my 15w40 rotella I use in the engine.  Fill to the line on the side of the bottom pan.

Thank you for these ideas!