B-73 Restoration

[mowerman]

You learn something new every day I wouldn’t of thought of that nice neat job bud … Bob

[mattb73lt]

This is the problem with this type of quick fix, continued rust. This repair was about to fail and get real ugly. If you overlook it, it’s going to ruin your work. The dark area was entrapped rust under the patch. Fix it right and it’s permanently gone. Both fenders were done this way.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Matt, I'm due for some more updates.  I need a "fix"!

[mattb73lt]

Ok, here you go!! Toiling away on this breath taking work, kinda like watching paint rust. Sanding, sanding and more primer. This part sucks and I hate the mess, but about to turn the corner and throw down some color in a week or so!!

Today’s grind and some black epoxy primer to lay down later today! Lots of pieces just about ready!

[mattb73lt]

And the cab is raring to go, too!! It’s just sitting there waiting for it’s rebuilt home!

[doubleclutchinweasel]

That cab is nothing less than gorgeous.

[Vladislav]

On 2/21/2022 at 12:34 AM, tjc transport said:

Vlad, the trick is small spot welds, and stagger the weld. one side, than go to the other side. do not come back to the first side until it has cooled off. 

by making a LOT of small welds, the metal has time to cool off and will not heat warp. 

Thanks for the tip. I count me as a puppy welder so far. Only play 3 or 4 years with a wire welder. And from time to time, way far from a everyday job. Trucks have thicker skins than cars so easier to put body seams with no overlap. And you can also be 'braver' with a hammer. Green Mercedes in the photos is 1mm steel. Macks go smoother.

And sorry to load up the thread with off-topic stuff. Subject related though.

Edited February 23, 2022 by Vladislav

[mattb73lt]

doubleclutchinweasel, this should whet your appetite for progress a little more! Epoxy primer I just laid down.

Enjoy!! 😂🤣😂

[Mark T]

37 minutes ago, mattb73lt said:

doubleclutchinweasel, this should wet your appetite for progress a little more! Epoxy primer I just laid down.

Enjoy!! 😂🤣😂

Primer ?  That could easily pass for topcoat in the pictures.

[mattb73lt]

1 hour ago, Mark T said:

Primer ?  That could easily pass for topcoat in the pictures.

It was still a little wet when I took those pics, it'll flatten out a little when it cures up. Once wet sanded it makes a really good base for color.

[mattb73lt]

The good news is those horrific patches are invisible, now.

[mattb73lt]

4 hours ago, Vladislav said:

Thanks for the tip. I count me as a puppy welder so far. Only play 3 or 4 years with a wire welder. And from time to time, way far from a everyday job. Trucks have thicker skins than cars so easier to put body seams with no overlap. And you can also be 'braver' with a hammer. Green Mercedes in the photos is 1mm steel. Macks go smoother.

And sorry to load up the thread with off-topic stuff. Subject related though.

Try to leave a little more of a gap in spacing the pieces together, don't butt the edges together before you tack them. It helps with alignment, expansion and will give you a better/flatter weld.

[HarryS]

2 hours ago, Mark T said:

Primer ?  That could easily pass for topcoat in the pictures.

That's what I was about to say. Beautiful.

[mowerman]

Holy cow those fenders look amazing… Bob

[Vladislav]

On 2/24/2022 at 2:39 AM, mattb73lt said:

The good news is those horrific patches are invisible, now.

Time will tell

[Mark T]

On 2/23/2022 at 6:39 PM, mattb73lt said:

The good news is those horrific patches are invisible, now.

If I had the ability and talent to make a patch like those ?? I'd be proud if someone saw them.  Looks like the fenders are worthy of being with the cab 😍

[mowerman]

Hell they look like they’re brand new out of the box ……Bob

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Lovin’ it! Great work. 

[mowerman]

Last time I saw  work that precise 50 years ago a buddy of mine spliced two fenders together to make one 57 Chevy Belair he put 14 coats of black lacquer on the car and I couldn’t tell where he spliced it..: Bob

[Vladislav]

3 hours ago, mowerman said:

Hell they look like they’re brand new out of the box ……Bob

Definitely better!

[mattb73lt]

Forgot to mention I added mud flaps to the new fenders and added a stainless strip I made to the top of them, that I buffed out later. The original fenders had them but they were just plain flaps. I wanted to add them back to protect the fuel tanks from damage.

[mattb73lt]

A tip 'o the hat to harrybarbon and my wife(who actually suggested it!!), but I actually brought my fenders into the dining room to cure up due to the winter temps. I shot the underside with Lizard Skip for a few reasons and rather than heat the barn they came into the house.

[harrybarbon]

Clean guests are always welcome😂

Matt you will notice the LS effect on road noise plus the corrosion protection, including stones etc. Our Kermit's underside fenders, the LS is same as when we applied it 6 yrs ago and we have done many klms to put it to the test.

And do the hood underside, it all helps.

[harrybarbon]

Matt your timber floor is pretty good too, reflection of your appreciation of quality!

[mattb73lt]

1 hour ago, harrybarbon said:

Clean guests are always welcome😂

Matt you will notice the LS effect on road noise plus the corrosion protection, including stones etc. Our Kermit's underside fenders, the LS is same as when we applied it 6 yrs ago and we have done many klms to put it to the test.

And do the hood underside, it all helps.

One of the big considerations was stone damage. With my current truck, I've had some stone dings from rocks coming out of the grooves in the tires as you come up to speed on the highway.