CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
83K5_blazer (she’s back!)
- Thread starter Cntymnty77
- Start date
Rust repair and trying to un-f*ck everything the PO's had done.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
I’m looking forward to getting it done!
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
So I started this project today. I’ve never worked with fiberglass before, so I’m taking it slow. It doesn’t need a lot but it’s a little weathered. I’ve got the next 4-6 weeks off work and want to get some things knocked off the “to-do” list on the Blazer but I’m having to find things to do with only one hand. And it’s my non-dominate hand to top it off..
I’m wanting to restore it back to its original look with the texture but I need to build it back up first. I first lightly sanded the front section down with medium grit on my orbital and then wiped it with mineral spirits after removing the dust. I laid down one very thin coat of the Bondo Glass and then sanded it after it was dry with medium grit. The picture shown is just one coat of the Bondo Glass and it looks like that might be all it will need to fill in the low spots. The filled spot is nice and smooth but you can see it has some texture to it. I plan on priming, texturing and then painting.
I tried looking up some of the other build threads for the top restoration but none of the pics would show up and it looked like some people went with the epoxy and some went with this stuff, with equal results.
I’m wanting to restore it back to its original look with the texture but I need to build it back up first. I first lightly sanded the front section down with medium grit on my orbital and then wiped it with mineral spirits after removing the dust. I laid down one very thin coat of the Bondo Glass and then sanded it after it was dry with medium grit. The picture shown is just one coat of the Bondo Glass and it looks like that might be all it will need to fill in the low spots. The filled spot is nice and smooth but you can see it has some texture to it. I plan on priming, texturing and then painting.
I tried looking up some of the other build threads for the top restoration but none of the pics would show up and it looked like some people went with the epoxy and some went with this stuff, with equal results.
I used to use this stuff called Kitty Hair to fix fenders on semis. Its basically bondo with fiberglass strands in it like what you got I think.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
I think so, it’s got very fine threads in it. I may end up need two cans to skim coat the whole thing.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
Got a chance to get out today and get most of the top lightly sanded before my hand started hurting. Looks a lot better already.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
Haha!! I’m trying to find little things I can do on this thing since I will have plenty of time off with nothing to do.
Are you one handing it with a DA or just a sanding block?
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
One handed DA. Haha!!
Nice progress man. I'm doing the same thing with my engine bay right now. It's a disaster.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
Thanks! I’m thinking I might order the wiring harness now because I’ll have plenty of time to install it. I just don’t know if I could do it one handed..
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
It was a nice day and she wanted to go for a ride. This thing runs so much better now!
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
Got my vynil in today as was too excited to wait and do it later. It’s not perfect but I’m working with one hand.. Overall, for $36, it’s pretty damn good! I jacked up a couple spots but it was hard to hold the heat gun with a wrapped up hand and stretch it with other. I also found out that my hood has hail damage after I got it put on. But for the cost and ease of install, I’ll be going this route for the rest of the build for now.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
I’m still going with one handed projects.. Today I thought I would try and make life easier for me down the road and scraped the awesome plastic off of the drivers side floor. That stuff is fantastic.... with a little help from a heat gun and a scraper, it came off fairly easlily. I also wanted to show everyone what a rust free Missouri truck looks like. Haha!!
After that I thought I’d try to polish a turd... and it worked! I’m still planing on a new front bumper down the road but figured I should at least try and make this one look as good as possible. I also found out that the headlight bezels are actually “chrome”, even though they are the wrong year for the truck.
Once I was done with all that, I figured I would look more into this running issue I’ve been having. I thought for the last week that I’ve had a blown head gasket but it didn’t quite act like a head gasket. Hard starting, low power, cutting out and popping out the exhaust. I ordered a good FelPro gasket kit for $$ and it came in yesterday so I thought, “f*ck it” and thought I would get started on it today with one wrapped up hand. Before I started tearing into it, I started looking around and while doing so, I checked all the plug wires and found the #7 plug was loose. Holy shit! I thought there was no way it could be this easy.. Tightened it back up, started it and re-timed it and it runs perfect now! I never get that lucky!
After that I thought I’d try to polish a turd... and it worked! I’m still planing on a new front bumper down the road but figured I should at least try and make this one look as good as possible. I also found out that the headlight bezels are actually “chrome”, even though they are the wrong year for the truck.
Once I was done with all that, I figured I would look more into this running issue I’ve been having. I thought for the last week that I’ve had a blown head gasket but it didn’t quite act like a head gasket. Hard starting, low power, cutting out and popping out the exhaust. I ordered a good FelPro gasket kit for $$ and it came in yesterday so I thought, “f*ck it” and thought I would get started on it today with one wrapped up hand. Before I started tearing into it, I started looking around and while doing so, I checked all the plug wires and found the #7 plug was loose. Holy shit! I thought there was no way it could be this easy.. Tightened it back up, started it and re-timed it and it runs perfect now! I never get that lucky!
Last edited:
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
This just happened to me. Didn’t realize the wire was touching, arced and killed my main fuse on the way to the dr’s office.. dead in the water.
Cntymnty77
1/2 ton status
Here is an anti-update, update. Had surgery this morning and had several pins installed for a couple weeks and will then be removed. I need to come up with some one handed projects to do because I’m already going stir crazy. I got my new plug wires and loom kit to prevent the same issue. These cables are nice!
Set him self up for that one!
