1964 Chevy C10

[BrianC]

It's been a little while since my last update - haven't made a lot of visual progress and have been spending time on my 68 too. But we've mounted the ECM and fuse block, installed more of the Vintage Air system, completed the wiring at the back half of the truck, installed the bed wood and wheel tubs, and test fit the wheels off my 68 for sizing. Turns out that the wheel and tire setup on my 68 is almost spot on in terms of sizing/backspacing, so wheels are on order.

Next weekend we hope to get the tailgate and rear bumper on and continue wiring.

View attachment 6342View attachment 6343View attachment 6344

Beautiful work!

 

[MDPotter]

Not a big update - but a huge difference in appearance. We've got the rear window installed, bed is 100% complete, rear bumper is on, wheels and tires are on, and it's on the ground. We've got the Vintage Air system 90% complete, brake pedal assembly and master cylinder mated together, now just a bunch of wiring to sort out between the Speartech engine harness and the American Autowire harness. We're leaving the front outer fenders, hood, cowl, etc. off until we're done working in the engine bay and have it running. I will admit, I was not that excited with my dad's choice for the wheels, but they actually look pretty good and we've got the perfect backspace and width for the rear tubs.

Even though I know where all of the imperfections are in the paint, it's still a huge accomplishment for me. This is the most in-depth bodywork I've ever done and I can't wait to see it in the sun - my dad is almost scared to drive it because it's come out so nice. We've learned a lot on this project and there are lessons learned that I'll carry to my 68 project. We're hoping to have it running in the next couple months and start on my 68 in the spring.

 

[MDPotter]

It has been quite some time since my last post - I had no idea how long the disassembly would take. I painted the last parts in September and it's now finally driveable. We only have one day a week to work on it and the wiring, body panel fitment, and reassembly in general was very time-consuming (especially for a couple guys without any restoration experience). But it's been a great bonding experience for me and my dad and it's something he's wanted to do for almost 20 years. Here's a picture of it on the trailer after getting a windshield, exhaust, and alignment. What's left now is the grille, headlights, a few interior items, and a few bugs to work out.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the body work and the way the clear laid out. I had hardly any trash, only a couple runs, and one big sag. But I'm disappointed with the color mismatch between panels. I can't remember exactly, but I think I opened the second gallon of base to paint the doors and hood and it shows. I don't know if the paint shop didn't go a good job mixing the two gallons, or if I didn't shake them well enough, but the difference is pretty noticeable in the light. Lesson learned: I should have combined the two gallons and then divide back into gallons or even quarts. What is the best way to correct this? We're not going to repaint it anytime soon-just going to enjoy it, drive it, and restore my 68 and then maybe we'll repaint it.

 

[MDPotter]

Last weekend we put the grille and headlights in and a few other details and gave it a wash. Also took it for a few laps around the block-it was a great feeling to drive the truck that we started on over 10 years ago. The LS with the exhaust and intake sounds even better than I imagined.

Time to start on my 68 GMC now!

 

[EddieF]

Congrats on completion & test drive must've felt great!

The color mismatch- when i was doing my medium garnet red caddy, i had to get 1 more qt. Opened it to mix & it didn't look right. Stirred it, still not right, looked at code- wrong. Brought it back, they ate it, thanked me for noticing before shooting it & gave me proper. They've been there over 30yrs.
Do u remember if your darker panels were new can or bottom of other?
You'll block it all down & reshoot one day. The hard part's done.
Enjoy it.

 

[sprint_9]

Sounds like a good time.

Make sure you post updates on your 68, I'd be interested in following along on that one too.

 

[MDPotter]

Congrats on completion & test drive must've felt great!

The color mismatch- when i was doing my medium garnet red caddy, i had to get 1 more qt. Opened it to mix & it didn't look right. Stirred it, still not right, looked at code- wrong. Brought it back, they ate it, thanked me for noticing before shooting it & gave me proper. They've been there over 30yrs.
Do u remember if your darker panels were new can or bottom of other?
You'll block it all down & reshoot one day. The hard part's done.
Enjoy it.

Here is the paint sequence: Day 1-Bed and outer cowls. Day 2-Tailgate and fenders. Day 3-Hood. Day 4-Cab. Day 5-Doors. Maybe I was into the bottom of the 1st can with the hood and bottom of the 2nd can with the doors. If that is the case, maybe the paint shop did mix it correctly? How do you avoid the issue with the bottom of the cans? And would that happen with a solid color (no metallic) too?

I'm definitely the harshest critic of my paint jobs and I'm sure no one cares as much as I do, but I hate thinking about other people seeing it and knowing the defects. I'm by no means a well-known painter, but I still want a good reputation. This is a hobby of mine but I learn from each job and always want the next one to be better. I'll probably start a new post and ask for advice as to how to fix it without a total repaint. It can probably be blended, but I've never done any blending.

 

[MDPotter]

Sounds like a good time.

Make sure you post updates on your 68, I'd be interested in following along on that one too.

I will for sure. I've been going back and forth on color ideas, but right now my favorite is Voodoo Blue from the new Tacoma and Tundra TRD Pros. I like your grabber blue too - the voodoo blue grabs your eye as well but it's darker. I've been watching for updates on your build, did you get your bed done?

Voodoo Blue:

 

[sprint_9]

Here is the paint sequence: Day 1-Bed and outer cowls. Day 2-Tailgate and fenders. Day 3-Hood. Day 4-Cab. Day 5-Doors. Maybe I was into the bottom of the 1st can with the hood and bottom of the 2nd can with the doors. If that is the case, maybe the paint shop did mix it correctly? How do you avoid the issue with the bottom of the cans? And would that happen with a solid color (no metallic) too?

There are alot of variables that can be hard to pin point.

What I did with mine was stir both gallons very well, and then intermix 2 gallons back and forth several times, from there I put into quart cans. When mixing into quart cans I put 1/2 in from one gallon and 1/2 from the other gallon, and then I labeled them based on how far down the can I was. So for an example quart 2 was toward the top, quart 8 was the bottom. When spraying I planned on trying to stay close on numbers for the top coat, on the first coat or two of base I could use the bottom, quart 8, just to get the color heading the right direction from gray sealer.

Even with all that I have some very small variations wtih my doors too, which could also come down to weather, spray technique, or gun setup. I personally lean toward weather in my case as I went through some large swings throughout what Ive done so far. Probably not a big deal but like you I am a very harsh critic of my own work.

I will for sure. I've been going back and forth on color ideas, but right now my favorite is Voodoo Blue from the new Tacoma and Tundra TRD Pros. I like your grabber blue too - the voodoo blue grabs your eye as well but it's darker. I've been watching for updates on your build, did you get your bed done?

Voodoo Blue:

Funny you mention those Toyota's, I saw one yesterday in the sun and it does stand out. I really liked it, had I seen that a couple years ago I would have had a harder choice to make between that and grabber blue.

Ive been meaning to do an update but have been busy, big snow storm coming in the next couple days so that should lead to some time to update.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I paint cars in pieces all the time both metallic and solid colors. Never had a mismatch like what you have.
My guesses are in order as follows:
1. They didn't mix the paint well enough each time before spraying.
2 They changed something in the process (i.e. primer color, number of coats applied, gun settings, etc.)
3. The second gallon wasn't tinted properly by the jobber.

 

[metalman]

Mixing all the color together is an old trick that even house painters used.