Back in Black! rpu build thread

Well, finally a day that I have waited for forever came. No, not the day that girl #3 from Deal or No Deal realized that I am the man for her. But a close second, I started getting some epoxy primer sprayed on the body finally.

I got the body stripped down, & prepped the cowl section, since it is by fay the biggest PITA to prep. I hung it on our rolling dealio, & got it sprayed.

This made it nice since I could lift it at a steep angle (nearly vertical) to spray the underside, then level it off to spray the rest. My dad helps me with all the fun-thanks pops!

I used PPG etch/wash primer first, the dp90LF on top of that. I am really happy to get that done! It seemed like I could never cross that hurdle.

The rest of the pieces should be far easier too, since they are smaller, and don't have a million cracks & crevices to prep & spray.

Here's some pics as it sits. It looks funny to me, all that I have ever know this as is bare steel

Thanks for looking guys
Dan:

 

Looking good ....

REGS

 

Dammit! I was so hoping to have primer on my car before you! HAHAHA!

Looks GREAT Dan! Slick way to get all the angles too. Be thankful that your RPU body comes apart like that. Gonna suck spraying a closed car! GAH!

Have you tried sanding the DP90LF yet? Are you able to block it before laying a sealer or top coat it?

 

Wow,Dan that looks real good. Its finally getting some color on it. That means you are going to back together pretty soon.

 

Looking good Dan, is that DP90 stuff an epoxy primer ???

 

Yes it's an epoxy primer made by PPG. Excellent stuff in my experience.

 

In that case it could of gone straight on the bare metal, i also rate it highly.

 

I didn't WANT To prime it, I just had to start priming my body before you

I am really glad the body disassembles like that, for a lot of reasons. It lets me get epoxy in every seam, and allows a ton of adjustment in the rear body panel to make door gaps real nice, etc.

Plus it really made spraying it way easier. With the back body panel on, it would really be tough to get in there to spray everything. I need all the help I can get!

I have not yet sanded it. It will probably be fairly tough to sand being epoxy I am FAR from a paint expert, so I am following PPG's advice.

The big advantage that I have is that I have very little bodywork to do, really just small imperfections to glaze. I tried my best to make everything as good as I could in bare metal, so the rest should hopefully go somewhat smoothly. I'll see if I still feel that way in a month

Getting there George! It still looks weird to me in a color, all I have ever known it as is bare metal!

Thanks Dave! I don't think that I have another years worth of patience left. I am near the breaking point

Hello Steve!
I have always used direct to metal epoxies in the past. PPG tells me that the dp90lf needs to go over their 1791/1792 etch on bare steel though. Also supposed to make it much more corrosion resistant.

I hope this is true! I would love to hear some input from any paint guys that spray PPG. I was just trusting what the manufacturer recommended, hopefully it is not a wasted step!



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i dont think ANY of us thought this day would come..haha. the epoxy shouldnt be too hard to scuff up for the next part of the puzzle. Just make sure there arent any shiny spots.

 

'Tween you and Scooter I don't know which I like better. Glad to see it is getting closer. As for mine I have to put it on hold for a while. But all will turn out well.

How about a bet to see who gets done first? Not that I am a betting type guy.
You or Scooter??? That will be interesting.......

Len

 

Man you aren't kidding!
I don't think it'll be too bad to sand either. I DO hate sanding though, good lord.

You know, you're right. I will hafta put my 700lb. girlfriend in my car to keep it fair. I'll even pull 2 plug wires to even it up

Len, thanks man. I have done the same thing, sometimes a break is a good thing!

Hmm, now the bet thing could be good. A little honest wager could keep us both going, I need a little push. You better get to priming Scott

 

Well, we got more primed this weekend! I gotta keep up with Scott

I got the dash, dash rail, cowl top, back body panel, and brackets epoxied. Here's a couple pics after we got it wheeled inside. It was kind of like a giant wind chime. Damn car has too many pieces





Then I got a couple cool things back. My dad took some pieces over to a chrome shop in the Ft Lauderdale area. Skirv on the Hamb told us about them. My dad was taking a roll bar for his 27' over, so I had him take some pieces for me. They came out really good!

My door safety latch handles I made:


My tail light brackets:



My tailgate hinges:



And my fuel pump & regulator mount. It bolts under the gas tank, looks like this in bare steel on the car:


And in chrome, way better. So I am really happy to see some progress, & shiny parts. I will take my front & rear nerf bars over to chrome soon.

Thanks for looking guys!
Dan

 

That thing is beautiful. I think I'm going to get rid of all of my junk and take up stamp collecting now.

 

If it don't go... Chrome it...! Hahaha... with that Big Olds.... you'll beat most anything out there!

 

ahhhhfuck thats mechanical porno right there

 

Yes, yes it is!

 

Bill-whatever! Your coupe has always been a great source of inspiration for me. If you want me to hang onto it for a while I will be happy to

Thanks for the chrome shop referral Bill. Me & dad hope to see you real soon

Yep! Hey, I just watched your YouTube vid of your roadster going down the road-that this scoots!!

Thank you both!


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Been watching from first post.......beautiful craftsmanship.

 

Wow Dan the chorme looks awsome!! Getting so close you must be able to taste it.

 

Thanks a ton man, I really appreciate that

Thanks! I brought the chrome home, it made me smile when I woke up

 

great minds think alike ! tailgate straps look familiar ? had ny buddy mill mine kinda upset though told him i wanted 6 holes per side like yours and he misunderstood me and did 4 , the rounded top was a nice touch i didn't think of though ! had mine chromed this winter and finally just got my rpu back from paint ! your truck is looking amazing keep up the good work !

 

Sweet mama!!! Look at that!! Chrome came out really nice!!! Did they go easy on the price since there was something already being chromed?

I have a few parts I need chromed for mine and was thinking about just taking them in with someone elses parts to reduce the cost.

 

Holly $hit are you moving along, Dan...awesome!!!

PS: you've got more trapiz hangin in that garage, than Marilyn Chambers had behind the Green Door...but the level of porno is the same!!!

 

very inspiring Dan! You guys need a bigger shop

 

Hey Dan,

I was just reading the new hotrodder. On the cover was a rpu. He's got NOTHING on you dude.
Keep up the good work.

Paul

 

Holy cow that looks great! Man, I gotta check out your thread, I really like that color too. I'm gonna take a look!

I know it won't get me home, but it sure makes me smile

Not real sure how much of a break there was, we really didn't have a ton of parts Scott. But they were very reasonable IMO. And it looks really nice in person I think. It doesn't look at all like the typical flash chrome on most stuff anymore.

I dunno Keith, I like the "traditional" porn better

Thanks brother, I appreciate!

Thanks man. I am blessed to have the shop to work out of. Being able to split it with my dad & brother makes it doable, plus you can't ask for more that doing what you love with your family

Paul,
He has LOTS on me!! His rpu is on the cover of a magazine. AND it is DONE

Thanks for the nice words Paul. I am proud. Sometimes I get frustrated & want to finish at some point. In reality I realize that I am the luckiest man alive. Not only have I learned lots, but I spent all this time building this with my dad. Definitely my version of the "priceless" commercial



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any new updates?

 

Glad to see your getting some paint on that body finally.... like I said before AMAZING WORK!!

 

Finally I do! Coming up

Evel,

Thanks man, I really appreciate!
I can't take credit for the blue tailgate though, that's dirtbags. But I have been sanding my little fingers to the bone. Man I hate sanding




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Whoo are you, and where have the updates been...bring'm on!!!