'55 International Pickup Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

I've had a couple guys on here ask me to post other project's I've worked on, so here it goes. It's a 1955 International R-112 Pickup that the owner brought to us to do the metalwork, bodywork, and paintwork. It doesn't have a ton of rust but the body is BEAT!! The owner had already fixed the rust in the floors himself and had taken the cab and all of the panels to be blasted and primed with PPG DP series before bringing it to us. Here's some pics of when it arrived. The owner already had it on the rotisserie which is a huge plus!


You can see some of the damage in the pics. The roof looked like it had been used as a dance floor, the back of the cab was pushed in in places, there was rust deep in the seam under the back window, and dents everywhere!

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3226509_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5833793_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1394039_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4754008_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7427878_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7263468_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6231706_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3323265_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Getting started on the rear cab panel seam repairs. There were two spots rotted out in the seam itself, the cab corners were rusted out, and the gap across the upper seam itself was uneven and needed evening out. I decided to remove the rear panel to gain full access to the upper seam rust and also make it easier to work out the dents. Doing this allowed me to sandblast inbetween the seams that can't be reached normally.


The upper seam rust.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6_197985_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6666699_n.jpg


Uneven gap across the seam.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5580710_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7427878_n.jpg


Cab corner rust.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3820125_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7263468_n.jpg



Drilling out the spotwelds that hold the rear panel on.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7386258_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2148258_n.jpg



Rear panel removed.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2119598_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3780087_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3912653_n.jpg




Inner cab corner rust.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3207509_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6974500_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1220253_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5179233_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Old sound deadener sheets removed.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6629701_n.jpg


Roughly straightened and bottom marked for cutting.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5909552_n.jpg



Corner formed on an English Wheel.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1266839_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7261891_n.jpg



Trimmed, ready to weld in.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2694802_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5761133_n.jpg



Welded up.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2764600_n.jpg



Welds ground down.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3022856_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...5_233396_n.jpg


Fixing the inner cab corners.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6195611_n.jpg


Formed a new edge on the shrinker/stretcher.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2064226_n.jpg



New piece welded in.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7764964_n.jpg



Fixing the other cab corner.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6391876_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1652901_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Looks like fun! Anxious to see more!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks!


I sandblasted everything while the rear cab panel was off. I also cut out the rust that was in the rear cab panel mating flanges and welded new metal in.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1795217_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6_979213_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7390620_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4492008_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6355185_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Then applied a couple coats of Chassis Saver paint to the inner panels and along the seam under the window. This should keep the seams and cab corners from rusting from the inside out.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6586998_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2934411_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6_108233_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6774214_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3841909_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

The hinges needed rebuildind, so I cleaned off a spot and stamped which the location of the hinge so the parts wouldn't get mixed up after dissasembling them. They were already marked but this way the marking won't come when they're blasted.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5900838_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3471436_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1445325_n.jpg




Fixing rust in the bottom of the door.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5916981_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4822022_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5689192_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6751172_n.jpg



Finishing the inner cab corner.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4296575_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3585840_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7047406_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1050036_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5777032_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._8005353_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

There were some pinholes in the bottom of the front cab panels so I cut out the area and found even more rust. I cut the whole panel off to get to the inner panel to sandblast and coat the insides with Chassis Saver.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6030016_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6831809_n.jpg




Same process for the other side. It didn't have any rust coming through but I knew if one side was bad, both would need attention.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4385252_n.jpg



Inner panels blasted.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3221697_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4921506_n.jpg



Pinholes welded up and ground down.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3760407_n.jpg


Chassis Saver applied with a daubber to reach high up inside the panels.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7100340_n.jpg



Made new panels to weld in and coated the inside with chassis saver.


http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...5_359744_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5779840_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3858887_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2225495_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...2_217079_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1691819_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

As usual, you're doing a great job!

Those Internationals have a face only a mother could love, but they have their own charm. They've got some funky design features, which was an International characteristic. I'm glad to see someone restoring one and not making a crappy Rat Rod out of it, which sadly becomes the fate of many International trucks.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

nice work

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks dude!! The owner's dad bought it new and this guy drove it to college and even took it on a cross country trip, so I'm glad it's being restored as well! I've been reading through your '55 build; very impressive!!

Thanks Pop's!!
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Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Fixing the w/s opening rust.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4819236_n.jpg


Cut out the old peice and made a new one on the shinker/stretcher. Test fitting it using magnets to hold it in place.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7879329_n.jpg


Welded in and ground smooth.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...3_816741_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

The cowl panel had a couple seams where they meet the fender mounting panels that needed seam sealer. Most of the old sealer came out when blasting but it still needed minor prep before applying the new sealer. I also got the front and rear roof skin seams at the same time.


Drip rails were straightened before applying the seam sealer.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...3_356839_n.jpg


Cowl seam.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5016941_n.jpg



Sanded out with 180 grip paper folded in half.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._1838422_n.jpg


My seam sealer gun, love this thing!!

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7709744_n.jpg


Sealer applied.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3942242_n.jpg


Sanded smooth.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...5_956196_n.jpg


Close shot of the front roof seam, it's a good bit deeper than the cowl seams.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4275431_n.jpg


The rear roof seam after sealing and sanding smooth.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4442849_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Next I shot PPG K36 high build over the seams to get them really slick. I'll be using Slick Sand for all of the major priming and blocking but I don't like using it straight over seam sealer, so I used the K36 instead since I feel it sticks better to the sealer. Improperly sealed and shaped seams are a pet peeve of mine... :crazy:

Cowl seams.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4003414_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...5_639715_n.jpg


Front roof seam.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5938543_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4666728_n.jpg


Drip rail.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5984951_n.jpg


After sanding the cowl seam. I used a small diameter rod with a few layers of masking tape over it for cushion to block the seam out. This way the seam has an even diameter down its length. After the seam is blocked evenly, it gets re-guidecoated and taped on one side of the seam. Then the flat part of the panel against the seam is blocked down, and the edge of panel is rolled into the seam using the edge of a Durablock. The guide coat shows the seam, and how evenly you're cutting into it when you're rolling the edge so you can make sure it's even. Then the tape is flipped and the process is repeated on the other side.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6_929614_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...2_289359_n.jpg




The front and rear roof seams after recieving the same treatment.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4788860_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...7_232046_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

I applaud you for your excellent fabrication skills, picking a really cool truck and for a very informative and well thought out build/progress thread - nice clear pic's - keep up the great work!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks alot!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Love this info... Makes me miss my grandpa, he owned an international dealership from the 40s to the 80s. I got tons of great IH pics at the lot
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Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

That's neat, I'd love to see those pics if you have copies online!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Here's the process to get the rear cab panel ready to reinstall.



The corners were cracked and needed repairing before getting the panel back in place.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5184512_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4575339_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7904119_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4081775_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...3_667654_n.jpg



Since there was no way to reweld the upper corner flanges, I had to use SEM panel adhesive for those spots. There was also no way to clamp the flanges, so I welded on tabs and pulled the panel tightly into place with ratchet straps. This let me check the final position and work the edges to straighten out the gap before welding and glueing. I also added a few tabs and straps across the center to keep the two panels flush with each other.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5378603_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6637167_n.jpg



Flanges were blasted, prepped, and sprayed with PPG DP40. This will get ground off right around each spotweld area for clean welds.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4587469_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4655105_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

John,

Outstanding job, as usual. Internationals are not my cup of tea but I can appreciate anything that's been restored to better than new condition. I can imagine the looks this guy will get on his drive back home.

Dean

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks Dean! I'm sure they'll have a blast driving back!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Here's one I saw at the mall last week. The body was original but it was slammed on torque thrust.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/79217cb5.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/2cd0b6fc.jpg
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Your doing such a nice job on 'Goldilocks' I thought I'd check your other builds!!! This one is unreal, thanks for the detailed pics and info, may help one day when I get some tools. Great build.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks 65Pickup! Glad you like it! It's pretty much ready to paint now, I'll work on adding more pics to get the thread caught up to it's current condition.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Once everything was prepped and aligned for the rear cab panel, I spread SEM panel adhesive on the corners and pulled it into place with ratchet straps. I used too much which made a mess on the outside, but I wanted it to have enough to squeeze out on the inside to fully seal up the seam. The metal will tear before this stuff loses grip of the metal! It can be heated for removal if ever needed.

Last test fit.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._2516686_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4779173_n.jpg


Adhesive applied and strapped in place until it cured.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4955104_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7296824_n.jpg


The bottom corners were clamped into place and plug welded.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4095596_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6149191_n.jpg



Once it dried I ground/sanded off the excess adhesive.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._8169031_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3956671_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Looks complicated, but great solution, technology worked beautifully.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

The panel adhesive is some neat stuff. I used it one other time on a home-made Camaro targa top roof skin and it worked great on it too. It's very strong and works to seal the seam as well.


Here's some shots of the work done on the roof. It looked like it had been used as a dance floor at some point in the past! It wasn't too hard to straighten since the dents were fairly shallow, and came out 95% with just hammer and dolly work. The rear edge of the roof was in worse shape, and needed heat shrinking and pulling with a stud gun/dent puller.


http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4109890_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5612703_n.jpg



Throughout the process of metalworking the roof, I guide coated it and used a 21" adjustable block to find the high/low spots and work them out with a hammer/dolly. I got the dents out enough so the block was sanding the low spots, so it wouldn't take much filler when skim coating it.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6859240_n.jpg


Skim coated and blocked, ready for primer.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3995708_n.jpg


Primed with Slick Sand and guide coated.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3748651_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Very nice work ,I like international trucks ,I think they were ahead of their time. I know of a guy one county over from me that collects every International truck and Scout he can find and he drives and restores them.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

More work on the rear cab seam. This took a ton of time to get the seam and body lines reshaped and straight!

After plug welding the flange for the upper seam, I applied epoxy seam sealer to the outside seam.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...3_338683_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._4596153_n.jpg


After metalworking, then skim coating and blocking, and priming with Slick Sand.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._7517773_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5088038_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._3990488_n.jpg


Close up shots of the seam.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._6046073_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...3_976178_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s..._5778446_n.jpg


After block sanding, and detail sanding the seam. I sanded it back down to the sealer since I didn't want any primer building up over the flexible seam sealer.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...07617825_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...47085994_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...25191018_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

I agree. The way the bodies were assembled was pretty neat for that time; the whole floor section bolts in and can be removed easily, and cowl/windshield section also bolted together to the roof skin at the upper seam. That made it easy for International to make the parts interchangeable between their trucks and carryalls, and cab overs. Repairs could be made easier too since there weren't any spot welds to break loose and reweld if those panels needed to be replaced.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

The owner had already done some rust repair to the floor section, and sealed the seams with silicone when he reinstalled the floor panel. Paint won't stick to silicone though, so I had to remove it and put epoxy sealer back in. I also cleaned all of the old seam sealer out of the firewall and cowl seams and redid those.


You can see the black silicone in the seam, and the epoxy primer had already started coming off just since it had been blasted and primed.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...18558548_n.jpg


Most of it scraped out, then sanded to get it ready to apply new epoxy sealer. For some reason I can't find the after pics with the new sealer applied.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...49044749_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...93954652_n.jpg


The factory cowl-to-firewall seam sealer was terrible, with large areas thin or missing completly.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...46049196_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...59606759_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...18606365_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...82522861_n.jpg



Thankfully the old sealer wasn't hard to remove. I scraped it out and put 3M strip-caulk back in the seams. The strip-caulk is ideal for areas that are hard to reach, or where gaps are too big for epoxy sealer to fill in. It's paintable too.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...75022376_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...39841896_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...95839236_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...57965804_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Incredible pictures, the detail is impressive and appreciated. Your explanation will make my attempts better, plus no guess work on what products to use. Beautiful restoration.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

I'm just happy to see someone take the time to restore a old International most don't.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Nice work man!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks! Having the right materials makes all the difference. Everything has to work together to make sure nothing reacts with each other, and also so the job last a long time. The Slick Sand is some amazing stuff, I'd quit bodywork if they quit making it!



I like the odd-ball old cars/trucks too. It's a shame that most of the time, 90% of what you'll see at car shows are Muscle Cars, 5-6-7 Chevys, and Chevy/Ford trucks. There's not much else being restored, atleast nowhere near as many as the mentioned-above cars are.


Thanks!

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

With the floor and firewall seams sealed up from the inside, I was ready to spray Lizzard Skin heat and sound insulation. I sprayed two coats of each on the floors, firewall, cowl, rear cab panel, and roof. It dampened the panels so they no longer sound like a tin can when tapped on. If you ever want to do this yourself, use paper masking instead of plastic- it doesn't stick to plastic and blows loose when you start putting on extra coats, making a huge mess.



http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...02609962_n.jpg


Ever seen this many holes in a firewall before?!

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...07638662_n.jpg


http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...05140493_n.jpg


I sprayed epoxy primer over the bare metal spot here before sprayin Lizzard Skin. LS is water based so you don't want it over bare metal.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...07044768_n.jpg



The first two coats of Sound Control.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...70746278_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...49214342_n.jpg


This is why I chose Lizzard Skin over Dynomat or other peel and stick sound deadeners- it's ability to be applied to areas where Dynomat sheets would have a hard time fitting, or sticking, or would have to be extensively trimmed to get even coverage. LS also is waterproof once it dries, is thick enough to seal seams, and won't ever get moisture behind it like peel and stick sheets could.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...15609003_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...86400237_n.jpg



After spraying two coats of Heat Insulation and letting it dry. It dries to a dark gray/black color with a nice texture. If desired, it can be sanded flat and coated with high build primer painted to hide it, while keeping it's sound and heat insulating properties.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...45341180_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...13958437_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...13465359_n.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...88243062_n.jpg

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

great work astronaut,enjoy watching your work.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

Thanks for following along!


Here's a sneak peek of where I'm at now. I'll work on getting the thread caught up with the progress I've made. I painted the cab and doors this weekend, and started wet sanding and buffing the paint.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/01d04f10.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/b51979a7.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/8b48881c.jpg
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Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

I'm the same way i like the odd and ugly stuff most won't touch,I guess it mostly the looks of them or the lack of a aftermarket is part why too.I rather have a 55-57 buick or olds over a chevy just because its different looking.Yeah you do nice work i can't wait to see it done.

Re: '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work
 

[QUOTE=theastronaut;5407919]
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...02609962_n.jpg


Ever seen this many holes in a firewall before?!


Looks like the Milky Way