Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

MY buddy did his 70 with POR and it is holding up good. IT is very touchy and can be a mess. Wear Gloves and a good respirator. I have used on several trucks what I like better is Eastwood's Rust Encapsulater. It seems to do as well as the POR (to me), is easier, less toxic to apply andcan easily be top coated if you want.

As mentioned in my youth up north I have also used Rustoleium and it did OK also. Of the 3, nowadays, I like the Eastwood.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Thanks for all the insight. I think I will look into the eastwood products! I am picking up a power washer from a friend today to start cleaning the frame this weekend.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Go to the dollar store and get some cheap oven cleaner (3/4 cans) to spray on before you pressure wash it. It really helps clean up the grease and grime.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Great idea, i have 2 cans but could probably use one more.


I took out the after-market radio today...the big cut out in the dash is a bummer. I am wanting to go back to a stock looking radio. Does anyone have any experience in repairing the oversized whole the installers cut. (i am not a welder...)

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update, i got the rest of the gauges, ac controls etc out of the truck. Only thing in the cab now is the steering column. I had to replace my column a few years ago after some dummies tried to steal my truck and broke my column to pieces. Well, i just noticed the plastic part that signals what gear is broke, so i guess i will have to pull the column again to replace that.

I also have been scrapping the glue from the windshield channel. I will try to get some pics.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Just read them your build thread. I really like what you have done so far. And looking at your interior, your door panels, it’s definitely CarmineRed.
Also for the radio repair, you can get a radio repair patch in. That way you can go back to a stock radio. Check out the parts section, they are on there every now & then. I see them on eBay also. Looking forward to seeing more of the work your doing on the stepside. :metal:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update, been sanding out the windshield adhesive and going to be prepping the interior for paint soon. Also been working through interior items and new parts needed.

Taking to the painter 11/17!!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Update, been gathering parts. Got some seat belts from a donor truck. some are good some are bad. Still looking for one should belt and two female belts in carmine red.

Also picked up two carmine red headliners and all the trim parts. Mine didnt come with a headliner so will be adding.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Show us your goodies you’ve been gathering up.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

here is the first headliner parts and leather part for behind the seat. I need to take pictures of what i got yesterday. I the headliner parts i got yesterday are in a bit better shape and true carmine red.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

That leather piece for behind the seat, that’s cool!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

I am excited for it. The guy has a brown one too if anyone needs it. I am happy to go pick it up and ship.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

here are the plastic parts from the second headliner i bought. few spots i will have to do repair, but over all better condition than the darker ones. Excited to have these in the truck. I need to order some paint match for the 81-83 carmine red. Saw USA1 sells some. Anyone used them before for interior paints?

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

That’s the dye I use, from USA1. Been using it for several years now. Make sure you get some SEM Prep and Adhesive Promoter. Here’s some Carmine Parts I’d have done in the past. But these are 79-80 CarmineRed.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Those look great! I will be sure to get the prep and promoter! thanks for the tip!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Your Welcome:metal:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Good news and bad news...

Bad: painter got behind so my truck didnt get touched in Dec as planned.

Good: bed is going to him this friday then the rest of the truck Jan 12th!

I also was able to get the first coat of the frame paint on. See the pics and what i used. Over all really happy with the product so far especially coming from a can. Bought the stuff from Summit.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

TKCR,

I finally got to open my seatbelts for christmas! They turned out awesome! I appreciate your work and time making them look great. For sure going to be one of those subtle touches that makes the truck look GREAT!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Happy to hear you like them! Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
Your frame turned out awesome.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

I might be interested in the brown one if the guy still has it.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

looks very nice;). I used the same VHT on some front suspension parts on my build, I am interested to see how it holds up over time and use. On my build I am using POR-15 for the main frame paint, I believe it might have a little better durability... but I am not for sure.
.... again nice job!!:metal:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

My frame to start was pretty clean still so the VHT I feel was a good choice. If my frame had rust i would have gone por15 route for sure. But the price and ease of VHT was nice.

Keep me update don how you like the por15.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Let me chat him to see if he still has it.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Truck bed is headed to the painter today! Super excited!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

That is good news!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Little update. I started working on the cab floor today at lunch. Back when i was 14 my dad and I fiberglassed a small hole (was like the size of a quarter...) I removed the fiberglass today so it can be repaired with metal before paint. As you can see it has grown over the last 15 years...

Still this and the same spot on the driver are the only rust on the truck. So not bad!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Tomorrow at lunch I will do the driver side.

Any recommendations on best way to repair. In a tight spot.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Cut as much out as you need to to get in there to do the repair. You are already cutting and welding so no reason to create an area that is hard to work in.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Very true! Thanks for the tip!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Talked with my body guy and will be ordering a patch panel for the passenger side and patching the driver in a few small areas.

I take him my truck this weekend!

also, need to call USA1 about their full interior kit. Any one order that and liked it? Seems like a good deal for the price.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Not the entire interior kit, but a lot of their stuff. I wished they would have had this back when I did my interior. Just be patient, it won't come right after you order. It takes time. When I ordered just my door panels, it took 3-4 months. But its well worth the wait.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update: painter bought all the body and paint material and should be starting today/tomorrow on the bed. Taking my cab and such to him Wednesday.

Also, going to order the USA1 interior kit this week! The wait begins...

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Spent 3 hours with red scotchbrite, dish soap and water sanding the inside of the cab to prep for the body guy. Will do another round today/this week. What a tedious process.

Also went to summit yesterday and purchased the front bed panel for the stepside. They gave me the more expensive made in the USA panel for the price of the made in Taiwan panel. So was happy about that. Way heavier metal.

Going to look at used stock hood today from a guy and maybe a few other odds and ends. excited to start making some big progress.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Did you ever talk to the guy about the brown one ?

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Thanks for the reminder. Will do that now.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

they got back to me today. It sold.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Truck officially got some paint on it friday. Did the gaps between the bed panels. I tried uploading pics but it didnt work. I am headed up there next monday to help out. Hopefully the bed will be pretty far then and i will take some pictures.

I also ordered the hidden latch kit we need to install. We are welding up all the unused holes in the bed too so should look clean.

Lastly, started getting some of my USA1 interior. Got lower carpet panels, paint, misc screws/fasterners, and inside window cranks and door latches. Swap meet at TMS is in a couple week and hope to pick a few more things up. Also picked up a stock hood.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Can’t wait to see the pics!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, the texas snow storm again delayed my cab getting to the painter. Hoping not this weekend but next weekend I can get it over there...

Anybody going to Pates Swap Meet next weekend? I knw LST is the same weekend.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well that's a bummer. Hope all is well down there in Texas. Seems that Texas is getting the raw end of the deal, and from all sides.