K5 paint quality concerns? (bodywork/sawzall)

[NorCalGMC]

Hello all,

Just need a little experience advice here....

So yesterday, I had 35" Mud's mounted on the K5 (yessss), and am having a sheetmetal-experienced friend help me cut out the fenders on Saturday. A concern he has is regarding the paint - my truck has non-factory paint (well done job, but not factory) - do you know if i should be worried about the sawzall chipping/cracking the paint along the cut-lines? We've chopped factory painted fenders on another friends K5, which caused no such issue, but my paint being non-factory..... just wondering what input people may have? the truck's paint is *tits*, and i'd rather not have chipped paint around clean-cut fender lines.

Thanks!

 

[pvfjr]

You could try taping it off where you're gonna cut, it may help it some.

 

[78Suburban]

I may have done something wrong, but my paint flew everywhere. I don't want to even snap the pics and host them up. They're BAD.. I guess you need to really take you time, and make sure to only cut through masking tape.

thanks,
James

 

[70jimmy]

Try to get ahold of a plasma cutter or I preferred angle grinder with 1/8" wheel over sawzall. You will loose some paint right near the cut out. I don't know of anyway to do it completely clean without killing the paint.

 

[KingDuramax]

Put more lift in it and dont cut em

 

[potionmaker]

you could try scoring a line just outside the cutting line (1/8" or so) with something very sharp . If the paint does chip, maybe this would control the extent of it. Just an idea though.

 

[PsychoticDeadGuy]

Dont use a Sawzall, use one of those small air grinders, they cut through the body fast and very clean. They go fast enought to keep the paint from bubbling from getting too hot.

 

[Leper]

You can use tape over the area to be cut. The more teeth per inch of the blade, the smoother the cut will be. You are going to have to touch up the bare metal anyway.

 

[NorCalGMC]

thanks for the info everybody, i havent cut 'em out yet... last weekend, i trimmed the corners with a pneumatic rotary cutter, to allow for mild 'wheeling, but am yet to take the plunge to cut out more... must happen soon though.

thanks!

 

[Leper]

Be careful...... Once you do the first cutting, you lose the ability to stop cutting. The first time I cut my truck I hated it. Now, I'll even trim with a chainsaw if I need more clearance.(on the trail)

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Don't use a plasma cutter, it will burn the paint for about 1/8" past the cut. Use a cutoff wheel.

 

[wraenking]

roto zip with a diamond wheel. i cut through my fenders like butter.

i got a kit that came with a bunch of attatchments and a carrying bag. best money i have spent. i use it for everything. better than a grinder for cutting in my opinion

 

[78Suburban]

 

[blazinzuk]

Body saw and triple tape the area you are cutting and go slllllowwwwww

 

[Chevy305]

Jesus Christ! did you use a BFH to cut your fenders?!?!

 

[Brocky]

Looks like your saw was hungry. You must of used a course blade.

 

[gauder]

you could try scoring a line just outside the cutting line (1/8" or so) with something very sharp . If the paint does chip, maybe this would control the extent of it. Just an idea though.

X-acto.

 

[78Suburban]

Just wanted to show what happens if you DON'T take you time... its no biggie.. I hope to get my motor running and be beating the body to death before long

 

[Skigirl]

I didn't have any problem cutting my fenders with a sawzall. I used 24 TPI blades. Cut clean and went easy and fast. The front wheel well cuts were the first cuts I made. Trimmed more after that. All with sawzall.

 

[ProJunkRacing]

yeah i would use a grinder just get a metal cutting disc i love my cheapie one does the job and alot cleaner than a metal shaker sawzall