Hello,

I joined quite a while ago to ask a question about a potential project. What I was told was a 52 GMC turned out to be a 51 Chevy when I looked at it. Being up for a challenge, I took it anyway.

Here's a couple pictures. You can see more at the link below.


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2285825

You are an ambitious guy, that's for sure. Great progress so far, keep up the good work!

Whats the acid treatment your using?

I'm using phosphorioc acid, which is a generally accepted method of removing rust. The unconventional part is that rather than use 'Naval Jelly' or 'Ospho' which are both somewhat expensive, I have found that a tile/shower cleaner sold under the Zep brand name at Home Depot works great, and is only $6.88 a gallon.

After first seeing all that rust I didn't think you'd be able to save much of that. But that dip works great. Do you dilute it or straight? and will it run thru a pump so you can shower a part?

I have diluted it quite a bit. The large tub seen in the radiator support picture is one of the ones I have used, filled mostly with water and experimenting with the amount of acid. I think that is a 30 gallon tub, and I had about 2 gallons of acid in it.

I have also tried using a submersible pump to shower a part, but my pump flow is too great. I need to find a way to reduce the flow. Since I haven't done this long term, I don't know what the effects of running acid through the pump would be. Hopefully it won't be eaten from the inside out!

As for the rust on this truck, the majority of it is actually surface rust only. There is very little that is severe rot. As an example, if you look at the pass side door in the picture above, most of what you see that is brown is actually just stained paint or primer. Only the darker patches are surface rust. This truck had a plate on the front from South Dakota dated 1962!! It has just sat in the weather for many years.

That's amazing how well that works on removing all of that rust!

I have some inner fenders that I had preped by a resto body shop and have just found that under the good looking primer is a layer of rust. So I'll be trying this out real soon.

I have gotten a little more acomplished. I shaved the front bumper...

I also started pounding out the front dr side fender. I wanted to have a clean piece to metal work so now it is soaking in the acid bath, and I will update the progress if you'd like. Right now it is 30 gallon tub with 1.5 gallons of acid. I sanded the exterior and left the inside surface as it was.

Here's a 'before' for comparison.

Lastly, I started work on the dr side cowl. This was a parts truck, and someone had previously cut out this panel for a patch. I drilled out the spot welds and am about ready to start fitting the replacement panel. I just need to repair the hinge mount areas first.

Looks like its coming along well... Keep us posted!:metal:

Not to run this into the ground, but here is one more of the fender above after soaking in the 'bath.' Unfortunately, we had some rain, so everything that wasn't submerged got pretty nasty looking :(

You can see that while this works on the heavier rust, it is better to knock off what you can by sanding to get better results. The solution weakens as the rust is desolved

Also, this tile cleaner stuff does work well, but seems to have some detergent in it as well, because it foams up something aweful. I might be going back to the previous product I was using if I can find it! I'll fill you in when there is more to update!

looks like all i need is a bin big enough for a bed and cab and ii'm all set... maybe the swimming pool would work..

does the acid remove the paint?

In general, if the paint is in good condition, it will not be removed. I cannot say that there wiould not be long term effects though. I plan on removing all paint remaining by sanding off.

If you look at the pictures above, the paint in the recess for the headlight bucket is still intact. The paint that was already failing did come off, as well as the oxidation on some of the paint in a little better condition-see the small blue dot on the next to last picture above.

You are an ambitious guy, that's for sure. Great progress so far, keep up the good work!

yup, very ambitious! "Build'em don't crush'em."

I get scared everytime I see your truck GL :D

I get scared everytime I see your truck GL :D

Me too!! Kidding, of course. I've been plugging away lately and been too busy to post some updates. I also lost a bunch of pictures from my camera.

I almost have the frame clip done. The only sheetmetal to 'de-rust' is the hood and cab, both of which are a little too big to fit in my 'dip tank' so I've got to come up with a creative solution for that...

Hopefully more to come in the next couple days!

As promised (or threatened, depending on if this truck scares you LOL!!)

Fenders after dip-flash rust is a problem. After wiping down with undiluted acid, problem resolved.

Inner fenders. Majority done, but need some touchup. Also starting on hood.

Camaro frame clip, in the middle of the grafting process.

And some dash pieces I just won on eBay.

That's it for now. I hope to get the bed off and finish boxing in the frame this weekend. If time allows, maybe even finish the hood. I'm working as fast as I can now before it gets too cold to be in the driveway!!

Good progress and score on evil-bay. Hope you get alot done before that real cold air arrives! Its like 50 degrees here this morning and its COLD for here!!!:lol:

Looks like you've been busy! Keep it up, Winter is on the way.:o

:whine: Well, for reasons I'd rather not bore you all with, all I got done this weekend was removing the bed and cleaning up the garage while the truck was in the driveway. Hopefully next weekend will prove to be more productive.

what year camaro clip did you use, is it the same width as the stock front end?

I used the clip from a 79 Camaro. The track width is greater than the original by a couple inches. I'll just make up for it with wheel offset though.

Thanks, you just gave me a new light of hope for my '51. Really.

Do you think your rust treatment method would work on this (hope you don't mind):

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/low84/DSCF3734.jpg

From the cab forward, I realize the bed is pretty much a total loss.

Low84,

The firewall here at work won't let me see your picture. I'll check it out tonight at home. To answer your question as best I can now though, the metal needs to be in good enough condition that it isn't flimsy or rusted through. Basically, if you would be able to sand the rust off, you could use the acid instead. Deep pitting can still reamain after fully cleaned, but as long as it isn't going to cause any structural weakness to the metal, then you can just use a filler or filler primer to smooth it all out.

I got to work on my truck for a few hours yesterday, and how I wish I could figure out a way to use this method on the cab as well! I sanded for a while, then turned my attention to cutting out the dr side cab corner. It's just so much easier to let a solution eat the rust away then to sand it off!!

Alright, I appreciate that. I removed the bed from the chassis yesterday, and the bed is pretty much a total loss. The front bed panel is unsaveable, and the bed side panels seem to have lost strength but I couldn't find any rust on them. Might go ahead and replace them anyway. I did start to sand down the surface rust on the chassis and gave it a protection coating.

So, I take it this acid rust treatment is only for parts that can be dipped, correct?

It is not limited to parts that can be dipped, but the reaction is somewhat slow, and the surface needs to remain wet. For example, I'd love to do my cab, but I would need to find a way to keep a 'shower' going to be effective. I would also need to come up with a way to catch the runoff. I also would be leary of the runoff going down the frame and dripping where it may.

I have had success removing light surface rust using a scotchbrite over a bucket. But for the heavier surface rust I am dealing with, I don't think that would be an effective option.

If you plan on using the chassis, sand blast it. Check Harbor Frieght for kits. They aren't too exspensive. Don't sand blast body panels though, the will warp when they get too hot. Also, remember to etch prime the metal before painting. This seals the metal to prevent rust in the future.

Hey Brett,
I had a couple in that year range and I love those body styles. Have you thought about a little backyard pond pump? They come in many differant flow ratings, but I'm not sure how they would handle an acid bath. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

bretcopsey,
Thanks for clearing that up.

Daniel U,
Thanks for the advise. I checked the website out and the prices aren't bad at all.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread bretcopsey, sorry. I just got excited, thats all. I'll start my own build up thread. So if you guys are still willing, you can help me over there.

Thanks, you just gave me a new light of hope for my '51. Really.

Do you think your rust treatment method would work on this (hope you don't mind):

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/low84/DSCF3734.jpg

From the cab forward, I realize the bed is pretty much a total loss.

You should have no problem using this method!

I think I finally found the 'correct' phosphoric acid at Home Depot. It is available in quart or gallon in the section with the paint thinner etc. Made by Klean Strip, called Phosphoric Etch & Prime (or somehing like that) I'll double check tonight. No more using solutions made for other purposes etc! A gallon was like $13.95 so I bought a few.

*EDIT Phosphoric Prep & Etch*

Hey Brett,
I had a couple in that year range and I love those body styles. Have you thought about a little backyard pond pump? They come in many differant flow ratings, but I'm not sure how they would handle an acid bath. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Somehow i missed your question. I have a submersable pump that flows like crazy. It's actually too much force for my comfort level. I've thought about using a small pump like for a fountain. I'm still leary of making a huge mess though!

This weekend I knocked the rust off the rear 1/2 of the frame with a twisted wire cup then followed that up with a spray of phosphoric acid. I filled a spray bottle and lightly misted everything-and it worked great! Of course, I was wearing a long sleeve shirt, gloves and safety glasses! I also was the only one outside during this.

I decided to try that on the cab as well. I lightly sprayed it, then 'wet sanded' the rust. I just had to keep it wet, and a lot of elbow grease was involed. But it went much better than if I had only 'dry sanded.' I still have a long way to go, but it's progress! I'll try to update with some pictures tonight.

Here's a picture of the inner cab corner after I cut away the outer cab corner. I know patches are available for this, but since the areas are so small I'm going to try to patch it up with some scrap. Once I get that done I'll make better cuts for replacing the outer corner.

There's also a picture of the rear portion of the frame in it's current state. That finish is only from the 'acid prep' mist. I still need t get some paint on it.

And here's the back of the cab as well as the cab roof. I still have a long way to go, but it's some progress!

Once again, I admire your enthusiasm/ambition!

Once again, I admire your enthusiasm/ambition!

Thanks Daniel!

I've taken the last few days off. Here's the prgress on the roof after about 2 more hours work tonight. I was going to just get the cab blasted, but the guy told me he wouldn't touch the roof for fear of warping it. So, here I am, sanding away!

Make sure you guys neutralize all that acid you are putting on there with baking soda and water to get good clean metal again. I would hate for that acid to come back up through your paint job.

Make sure you guys neutralize all that acid you are putting on there with baking soda and water to get good clean metal again. I would hate for that acid to come back up through your paint job.

Although the directions state to rinse with water, I'm going to experiment by treating then painting some scrap before moving on to the truck.

This is as far as I have gotten with the cab to date.

Just a small update. I replaced the dr side cab corner. Then I began fitting up the door to replace the cowl panel when the upper hinge pin broke. So I need to take some time to rebuild them. Hopefully that won't be too painful of a process.

Bret, Take lots of pictures of the cowl replacement, I am fixin to do that on my dads truck.

Bernie

Bret, Take lots of pictures of the cowl replacement, I am fixin to do that on my dads truck.

Bernie


Bernie, I'm only doing the dr side cowl, but will take a bunch of pics if that is what you need. It should be pretty straight forward. Post 47, picture 2 above shows where I had to drill out some spotwelds. Also, post 46 picture 2 shows the panel mocked into place. Let me kow what else you need to see!

Man this thread is an inspiration! You have come a long way!

Bret, Yeah I am doing the drivers side. The PO must of had the door open and backed into something. The original door was folded up against the cowl so I am going to have to do some "Mod" work. Hopefully the weather will be ok next week so I can play a few days. Some on the truck and some on the Camaro.:c2:

Bernie

Bret, Yeah I am doing the drivers side. The PO must of had the door open and backed into something. The original door was folded up against the cowl so I am going to have to do some "Mod" work. Hopefully the weather will be ok next week so I can play a few days. Some on the truck and some on the Camaro.:c2:

Bernie


I guess I was "lucky?" as my cowl was removed to patch somweone else's truck years ago. I mainly just had to do some cleanup along the upper seam-they had cut it off just below the spotwelded flange. There was also a little work needed on the inner cowl panel. I'll get a bunch of pictures for you.

I also didn't notice the 69 Camaro in your signature; I've got a 68! I don't have time to work on both though-wife, four kids & keeping up on the house limit my playtime.

I have 3 boys, but they are older. The oldest one is in the Navy in California and the other 2 are in high school so I am begining to get a little more time to mess with my car projects that have been sitting around for years...lol.

I am going to start on the floor on the truck this weekend and I am also going to replace the inner cowl panels. I really wanted to mount the doors before I started so that I could keep an eye on the gaps to make sure that it wasn't sagging. I got the pass side on with no problems but the drivers door is going to be a problem. I am going to try and straighten the hinge mount area first then retry the door...hopefully that will work and serve the purpose for this floor job then I can do the outer cowl.

Bernie

Well, it's been a couple weeks since an update. I have moved on to the interior of the cab. Started cleaning up the dash.

Looks like I'm not the only one that is tackling a bigger project than i thought when i started,I'm still fixing the front bottom of my cab(almost everything)floor,supports,inner/outer cowl,kick panels,and some lower hinge panel.Looks like you going along at a good pace,keep the pics coming..

nice idea with the fosforic acid i have to see if its available here in the netherlands , you could've done the cab with help of a cheap swimmingpool two or three showerheads to keep it all wet and a couple of cheap plastic showercurtans hung around it to keep the acid inside the pool

Looks like I'm not the only one that is tackling a bigger project than i thought when i started,I'm still fixing the front bottom of my cab(almost everything)floor,supports,inner/outer cowl,kick panels,and some lower hinge panel.Looks like you going along at a good pace,keep the pics coming..


brother we know the feeling... your sig says it all ;)

Nice work so far.

I've spent some time out in the nice weather we've bee having. Here's an update.

I had been de-rusting the cab and was waiting until it was all done. But then it sat for several weeks as I was unable to work on it and began to rust again. So, I started at the top and worked down. At the end of the day I primered whatever was done.

The pass side cowl vent was destroyed, so I decided to fill it.

Hey Had you thought about placing your truck body on a 1974 to 1980 frame? The frame is only 1 inch longer wheel base, The best part is the cab will bolt to the original mount locations on the rear of the cab. You're truck is looking great.

Your truck project's great to see.

I saw your 'starter' image, and thought I was looking at my truck - same paint color, same rust. Mine's a 52 GMC, from Montana, has been in western NY for 23 years, but has seen no winter salt. It's funny to see both yours and Low84's are the same color as mine. Not a lot of color choices that year, I spose.

It's time for me to start the restore too.

Thanks for giving me hope, and providing the pointers on the surface rust. I hadn't realized that I could use 'filler primer' to accomodate the pitting, I thought I'd have to sand it to smooth metal, which would leave a much thinner skin.:cool:

I'll be watching - thanks.

nice idea with the fosforic acid i have to see if its available here in the netherlands , you could've done the cab with help of a cheap swimmingpool two or three showerheads to keep it all wet and a couple of cheap plastic showercurtans hung around it to keep the acid inside the pool


I believe it is phosphoric acid.

phosphoric acid
n.

A clear colorless liquid, H3PO4, used in fertilizers, detergents, food flavoring, and pharmaceutical

for as far as i know we only can get the acid premixed with other stuff i might try a growshop cause they use it to chainge the ph of the fertilizer/water

Any updates?

Any updates?

Sorry, I just saw this post. I haven't worked on the truck much lately. I switched my focus back to my 68 Camaro for the time being. The truck cab needs block sanded and the mess I was making in the garage was tracking into the house too much for my wife's liking. So I decided to wait till it warms up so I can push it into the driveway and am now working on replacing the floor in my Camaro.

Sorry, I just saw this post. I haven't worked on the truck much lately. I switched my focus back to my 68 Camaro for the time being. The truck cab needs block sanded and the mess I was making in the garage was tracking into the house too much for my wife's liking. So I decided to wait till it warms up so I can push it into the driveway and am now working on replacing the floor in my Camaro.

ylu could wet the garagefloor a bit and hose everything olut the door when the day is done that should safe you a lot of the dust .
making a curtain our of a sheet of plastic prolly helps too .