New/old 2500

[QinVB]

Fixing up a 98 GMC with a 6.5 TD I got from a local city surplus auction. Many new parts and upgrades. Just cosmetically challenged.

 

[Will L.]

Welcome. Paint just needs a lil love.

 

[QinVB]

Yeh, no holes or rust underneath, but we don't get much snow here. Just surface rust, dings, and scrapes. No bondo needed, just some red body putty.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Ed HD]

Welcome!! Could maybe try one of the DIY roll-in bedliner kits on the inside of the bed?

 

[QinVB]

I'm going to use Rust Doctor on the diamond plate bed and the 2&1/2 inch piece at the bottom that goes around the edge. The bed was covered with pine straw that was keeping it wet for may years and it was rough. The sides above that had surface rust but are in good shape. They are going to get Rustoleum red primer and flat black paint so it's easy to touch up. I've removed the yellow strobe, back up alarm, pipe vice, and moved the license plate bracket and light down so it doesn't interfere with the tailgate chain, and filled all the holes. Wire brushed the inside of the back with a grinder and large round cup brush - wore that thing out. Truck's outside so I'm waiting for clear forecasts - it's rained a lot - and lower heat and humidity so I can paint.
I seriously considered a DIY bedliner kit, but I read every review of every roll on bedliner and I am underwhelmed by it. There are a couple good DIY spray in products - not spray cans. But, I'm just going with paint. I spent my money on preventive items like the new harmonic balancer and pulley, all new filters and fluids, thermostats, and had to replace the destroyed factory third brake and bed light with an LED unit. I have oil cooler lines to replace, vacuum pump to remove and install a turbo master waste gate controller, and power steering hoses, front brake pads, and transfer pump to replace. So I'm just going to paint the back. I already have the paint left from another project.

I can tell you all that stickers, like the ones in the pictures, that have been on a truck for 18 years are incredibly hard to get off! And, 3M adhesive solvent did NOT make it easier.
.

 

[Will L.]

Sounds like you are making all the right moves to me.

On old stickers that wont come off, i have used aircraft paint stripper. But you spray the center area of the sticker, not near the edges. That way no chance of taking paint off. Just spray the center area of the sticker and let it bubble. Its better put the on 2-3 coats instead of the heavy coat.

Have a garden hose ready so when you are getting the sticker off, you can hose off the excess that gets onthe paint.

 

[btfarm]

Welcome to The Truck Stop! Truck looks good

 

[QinVB]

Sounds like you are making all the right moves to me.

On old stickers that wont come off, i have used aircraft paint stripper. But you spray the center area of the sticker, not near the edges. That way no chance of taking paint off. Just spray the center area of the sticker and let it bubble. Its better put the on 2-3 coats instead of the heavy coat.

Have a garden hose ready so when you are getting the sticker off, you can hose off the excess that gets onthe paint.

Thanks Will. I didn't even think of paint remover, but I will try it.

 

[QinVB]

Welcome to The Truck Stop! Truck looks good

Thanks I hope it looks much better when I get done!

 

[NVW]

Welcome to TTS, the truck looks pretty good.

 

[QinVB]

Thanks. I didn't know what to expect when I went to preview it, but was happy with the condition. It needs all the BS stuff, much of which I already got gone, like the door hinge pins had worn nearly all the way through the hinge - the door wouldn't close unless you lifted it over an inch. The driver evidently was lifting it with the arm rest/handle and it's torn out of the door. The third brake light cover was sitting down on the frame between the bed and the cab, and the seat looks like a bear had it for lunch. But the expensive items have been done by the city maintenance dept. I'm getting frustrated with our weather here. Storm after storm, every week. Last night was really bad with lots of HUGE lightning strikes all around us. I have to get the painting done - I want to get it inspected (tail lights are removed and license off) and drive it!!!!!!!!

 

[QinVB]

Sounds like you are making all the right moves to me.

On old stickers that wont come off, i have used aircraft paint stripper. But you spray the center area of the sticker, not near the edges. That way no chance of taking paint off. Just spray the center area of the sticker and let it bubble. Its better put the on 2-3 coats instead of the heavy coat.

Have a garden hose ready so when you are getting the sticker off, you can hose off the excess that gets onthe paint.

Will L.: I just wanted to let you know the paint stripper did the trick. I didn't have aircraft grade, just some of the thick stuff. Took a lot longer and had to add lots of elbow grease, but the darn things are gone. Thanks for the tip, I wouldn't have thought to try that - appreciate it.

 

[Will L.]

Cool.

 

[BIGR]

Welcome