Refinishing that old paint

I've been working for my father in law for a good while. Doing services and body work. I have done fiberglass on boats alot. Redone a few hoods on his trucks. I'm new to the forum and was wondering about anyone else with fiberglass experience and what they have run into or done while working with this.

I was also looking for advice on painting trucks. I've done fenders and such. Looking at doing a whole truck for a guy. He'll be buying a new hood. Will probably be shooting Imron. Thats what I've used most of the time. I know new paints aren't nearly as tough as they used to be. I use Imron on boats that will not be getting regelled. Its epoxy based and will stick to fiberglass.

Just haven't been able to find much information about this. I know it gets done alot...just looking for some more folks that have done this kind of work. Throw some ideas and such around. Thanks!! GREAT BOARD!!!

 

Yeah, I know the work it will take...lol. The last job we did fenders and it took a long while. Although I had to rebuild where the headlights mount and much of the side. I was just looking for some jobs that people have done...maybe some things they have come across. Guess I'm just wanting to start a thread about painting trucks and repairing fiberglass. It just really interests me and I can't find a forum about it.

I normally work from the inside out. I will grind back as far as I have to until I find fiberglass that hasn't been delaminated...tape up a mold of cardboard or whatever I need to make the shape. Then start with small pieces and working my way larger and larger. This allows the fiberglass to attach in many places...if you start with one large piece the whole patch is held on by that one piece. After I get the inside patched up and it dries, I use a fiberglass body filler...much like cabosol used on boats to fill in and reshape the part. Then use Imron primer and paint. I've been using polyester resin...anyone use epoxy??

The last truck I did turned out pretty sharp. Kenworth day cab. Cream colored body and hood...then a Maroon with gold fleck on the fenders. Really looks good. Truck I may get the job on next is a log truck. Will be painting the whole truck with a high vis paint. Think a new weyerhauser standard.

 

LOL...yeah...hopefully will get this one done before it gets hot...the Arkansas heat can be AWFUL...lol....the ones I've done have been day cabs. They have some sleepers but I have only had to redo the finish on them. Wet sanding, rubbing compound, polishing compound, and wax. Does a good job most of the time. Same way I refinish gel on a fiberglass boat.

I have never sprayed clear on a truck. Imron is actually very easy to spray. Very light coats using a HVLP gun. It looks bad as you put it on but as you build it really comes alive. If everyone could afford it that would be the ONLY way to go!!

 

yeah, 250 sounds a bit cheap on the blasting...like was already said...depends on the media blasted...although if they have a large blaster they can do it in no time. There is a single stage paint at the hardware store here called ironclad...no need for primer. I have used it on quite a few things with great results. Although not on a truck frame. I would guess it would hold up well. One of the toughest paints and simplest to use that I've seen.

W900...thats what I do also. Its almost decieving on the way it goes on...to me until it starts to build you really don't think you are getting anywhere. lol.

Imron in IMHO would have to be the best paint you can shoot for a truck. They use it on jet planes...surely it'll hold up to a truck...lol.