Posted by Keith in Washington on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 11:43AM :
In Reply to: Re: Bed rebuild on my 58 W-100 posted by Tom J. on Wednesday, May 08, 2002 at 9:36AM :
I would remove all the angles then wire wheel the area that was behind the angles. Replace any areas where rust has penetrated the bed side. I would then treat the area with a rust killer which there are many brands. I use Rust Morte. What is does is reduce the iron oxide by binding all the O atom with K (Potassium) if I am correct. I would then do all the other metal work needed then take it to be blasted and primed with a DP product (PPG epoxy primer) Then bring them home and lay the angles in position and determine the weld points and remove the primer from thoses spots and weld them on (you only have to remove about 1/2' diameter of primer). This leaves most of the ares behind the angles primed with a good primer.
Do any body filler work next. It can be done directly over the DP primer if it is done soon enough after being sprayed (go to a auto paint store that carries PPG paints and ask for the mixing directions for DP). Putting the DP under the filler stops rust from creaping under the filler. Fillers will absorbwater from a break in the paint and the metal behind it will rust if not protected. I know I just fixed an area on my son's truck where it happened. Once all the filler work is done and sanded very smooth seal with a cot of DP primer. Now you are ready for the sanding primer such as K 200 which will take out all the minor imperfections. It may take several coats with wet sanding to get it looking good. Once you have it very smooth (I end up with 400 grit paper), seal with another coat of DP primer (sealing coats are done with slightly thinner mixtures of DP as explained in the mixing instruction). Now you are ready for the color.