Painted my truck

I spent the past 3 months (or so) replacing a cab corner (driver's side) and wheel arches on the box and a lower door skin on the third door, after asking some questions here I finally got it all painted.
Here it is ready for paint
And after getting paint.

This is my first time doing body/paint work and I learned a lot for next time. There are plenty of flaws but over all it's better than it was with rust holes and peeling paint.

looks real good!!!!!!

From the shadowy picture, I'd say it was an excellent job for a first time! I have yet to even paint one of my tractors.

CT

What did you use to repair the cab corner with? Did you get pieces from a donor vehicle, or is there a repair part available? Looks good, my 95 needs both cab corners repaired/replaced. Mark

you can get your parts at lmctruck.com! I took the liberty to find them for you! click on the link!!
Untitled URL Link

(quoted from post at 21:23:30 04/01/11) you can get your parts at lmctruck.com! I took the liberty to find them for you! click on the link!!
Untitled URL Link

Click to expand...

Well, don't that blow air up your skirt! :mrgreen: Thanks for the info, MarK. Mark

I got the cab corner from a local body shop and the other parts from LMC. The cab corner is the same as you would find at LMC.
As far as the picture being shadowy, yes, it looks better in the dark!! lol
For a first time job it is ok, I know what I would do different next time so it's all good. I'll snap a few more shots when it's all back together.
I'm going to wait a few weeks to put the body side moldings and any decals back on so the clear has time to completely cure.
I probably should have practiced on my tractor first!

(quoted from post at 23:01:36 04/01/11)
For a first time job it is ok, I know what I would do different next time so it's all good. I'll snap a few more shots when it's all back together.

Click to expand...

Would you like to share the "know what I would do different next time" to help a fellow Chevy truck owner? I will practice on my tractor first. Mark

Yes I will share that information when I have time to sit down and write it.

So here are a few things I learned and would/will do differently the next time I paint a vehicle.
1. Buy more base coat than you think you need. I bought a gallon, probably should have had an extra quart because there are some light spots and a few screw ups I would liked to have fixed. My budget was already exceeded so I had no choice but to live with it.
2. Speaking of light spots, you NEED good lighting, the more the merrier. If I had better lighting I would have done a better job for sure!
3. Rent a spray booth or spend more time prepping my own shop. If I were planning on doing a lot of this type of work I would likely put up a wall on one side of the shop and make it into a well lit and clean area. The benefits are twofold. One, you would have a great clean place to spray and two you would have no overspray inside your shop.
4. Use masking paper instead of plastic. Plastic is cheaper but you have to unmask and re-mask between steps or the accumulated paint/clear will blow off and get on your nice new paint job. Better to spend the money and get proper masking paper. Saves much time and prevents having to do things over and waste materials. That is also a money saver even if you pay more for the masking paper. Same goes for masking tape, buy the good stuff that is designed for automotive work. I did buy the good tape because of a friend who didn't and had issues with tape not sticking and flopping over on to fresh paint.

These are the main things which caused me some grief with my job. I may think of more as I go.

Thanks for the response. You mentioned couple of things I'd a never thought of. Mark

Prior to starting I watched a lot of you tube videos of guys doing body work at home, there are some good channels with guys who know what they are doing. I also read some books on the subject and asked questions of a local body shop owner, I do some work for him on occasion (not body work, remote car starters).
There is a lot to it, more than meets the eye. I could have spent a few more weeks getting things straighter but the fact is, it's a 13 year old truck that will rust again so I'm not getting too worried about it.
Here is a shot of it taken this evening after all the parts were put back on.

Looks good to me.thanks for some advice

I put together a little video of some of the steps.

http://youtu.be/vq5Rs3ZKvtU