Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

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Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by FORDification »

I decided to hit the shop early today to get in as much truck time as possible, so I was there a little before 9AM this morning. On today's agenda was to get started stripping and touching up the front fenders. Each fender took about an hour to get down to bare metal, and then I spent some time blocking it, to get it as smooth as possible. Here's a shot of one of the stripped and blocked fenders:

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Each fender had a few minor dings and dents, so I spent some time tapping them out as much as possible, before finishing them off with a thin layer or two of filler. Here's a shot of the fenders after applying the filler but before the sanding:

Image

Most of the areas you see with filler are dings which are too small to even see with the eye...but you can just barely feel them. However, since the truck will mostly likely be painted black, they needed to be addressed, since they'd be much more obvious after painting if left alone. I'd estimate that 98%-99% of the filler in each of these spots was removed during sanding. The first trip through the sanding process was a learning experience. I tried using a hard rubber sanding block at first but found that it was still too flexible and it tended to try to conform to the dent and I sanded off TOO much, so I ended up going back over some of these with another thin layer of filler.

In between applications (while it was drying) I was getting started stripping down the rest of the '68 parts truck. When I first put the truck in the shop several weeks ago I tried removing one of the top header bolts, and could see the head of the bolt start to turn but the other end wasn't. :eek: It's been in the shop for a couple weeks now, and I've been religiously spraying the header bolts with PB Blaster and letting it do it's job, so I wouldn't break any off during removal. Today I tried removing them...with great results. Most came right out with a wrench. (That PB Blaster comes through again....man, that's some good stuff!) I got them all out except one, but only because I couldn't get to it! I'm going to have to just leave that header on when I remove the engine and then try to remove that last bolt.

Anyway, I got sidetracked with the parts truck and didn't get around to sanding off the final layer of filler on the fenders, so that'll have to wait until next time. But I only have maybe another 30 minutes worth of sanding before they're ready for paint. :D

Not sure when I'll get another shop day, because my wife has to work all next weekend. However, depending on things at work, I might take Friday off....and get started on the doors.

I'll get another project update page posted within the next day or two...I'm too tired right now to mess with it. :zz:
____| \__
-O-----O- Keith
'67 F-100 2WD SWB ~ '69 F-100 4WD SWB w/7" chop ~ 1975 F-250 Ranger XLT Supercab Camper Special
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re: Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by hardtailjohn »

Great looking job, Keith! I'm glad to see ya taking as much out before the filler as ya can.. sure makes a nicer job in the end!!
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Post by dcbullet »

Those fenders look fresh as a baby's bottom! Who would know they are almost 40 years old?
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Post by marz68 »

Nice job Keith those fenders are looking good.
Good luck on getting that other bolt out with out braking it.
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Post by stockr »

damn that looks nice....
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re: Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by Fordfool »

Hey, what tools did you use to get that down to bare metal? I am thinking of buying a 4" angle grinder and wire buffer wheel to do mine. Thos look really really nice!
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re: Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by FORDification »

For the most part all I used was a 4-1/2" angle grinder and a 3M composite stripping wheel. Those things work great...not only for stripping paint, but rust too. I was able to do both fenders with one wheel, which is good, considering they cost $17 each at the local farm supply store. The only other place in town which stocks those wants $5 more each.

They are fairly agressive though, so you definitely need to keep the wheel moving to avoid digging into the metal, and to keep from heating the metal up which could cause warpage.

The 3M wheel won't reach into the corners though, so I then switched to the knotted wire wheel attachment for those areas. Just a little slower, but still a LOT faster than doing it by hand. I was pretty happy with how quickly it all went. Here's a picture of my paint-stripping tools:

Image
____| \__
-O-----O- Keith
'67 F-100 2WD SWB ~ '69 F-100 4WD SWB w/7" chop ~ 1975 F-250 Ranger XLT Supercab Camper Special
ImageImageImage
My '67 restoration video
-> Posting and you! <-a MUST watch for all!!
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re: Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by xxxtina63 »

I tried the grinder with a flap-style sanding disk a while back. Does an excellent job but it's so easy to end up with divots. Nice job Keith.
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re: Stripped the fenders today [LG. PICS]

Post by 460 crew »

Nice work :clap: I'll be calling you to set an appointment for you to strip my 68 cab :D BYOT. :P
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Post by Big D's 69 »

THat is a nice set of fenders right there. I have seen repos that needed more body filler than that. Nice.
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