97 Tacoma Partial Restoration Engine/Paint

Nice work, glad to see someone do a good job with the paint.

 

Bill sent me a little preview. He's been busy.

 

SWEET!!!!!!! Looks like someone got a little spray happy!!!

 

Wasn't spray happy. lol. That pic was after 2 hours of prep for the sealer, then almost 3 hours more of base coat. The clear coat goes on Monday morning so that it can dry by the time I get off work Tuesday. After that I have to clear off all the masking tape and paper, install all the trim and grill and bumper. Reinstall the bed, then install the new carpet and seats..... MAN I still got a lot of work ahead.

 

damn def doing some work this this yota... sub'd. and i used to go to Marion Military Institute. i havent scene anyone else on here that is from there!

 

Looking good, Bill. The truck, not you. As for the rest, just take it one step at a time. It'll get done when it's done.

 

My brother went to MMI around 85. I moved here recently after my divorce because much of my immediate family live here now. If you remember Marion much, you will know where my shop is. I have the service department of the old Progressive Chevrolet.

 

Taking a pause between coats to post. I am currently spraying my clear on. I see a lot of imperfections that will need to be buffed out eventually, as well as a few spots where my body work was not as good as I thought it was. Those things show up once the paint and clear coat are on. I tried really hard on the driver's door, but the damage I guess was more extensive than I thought, so I think I will just get a new door later on. I have enough paint left over to cover a door. But for now, I think I will be happy with this one. It is my first paint job on a truck after school, which was over 2 years ago, and that was only 9 months of class. I'm gonna professionally stick to my trade of auto mechanics, but I think my body work skills are gonna just get better and better. Pictures will be coming soon!!!!!

 

Final clear coat is on! Can't wait til tomorrow to pull off all the paper and start putting in all the glass and other parts. I am not too happy with the finish, but hopefully as it dries it will smooth out better. If not, I will be looking at a lot of buffing! lol.

 

Interesting. What makes it dimple like that? Is it just because it's still wet?

 

I've heard that spraying too light of coats can cause orange peel. Is that correct?

 

There are a number of things that can cause an orange peel finish like this. Some of it is that I am not a professional, and my adjustments on the gun are not perfect. I evidently was using not enough air pressure, however when I set things at the gun, I had it at 35PSI, which is what I have done before, and what is recommended by the gun manufacturer. Other things can include insufficient mix time, which again I think was done properly. Excessive temperatures can cause this, and may have contributed. It was in the 90s when I was spraying. To be honest, I think a few times I may not have had the gun at the correct distance at all times, and the air pressure setting may not have been optimum. Either way, I will be able to fix it. I have 3 heavy coats of clear, so I should be able to "cut and buff" the finish. This involves waiting until the clear coat has cured completely, which will take 7 days. After the 7 day cure time, I will take 2000 (two thousand) grit wet sand paper and wet sand the entire finish. After that I will use Meguire Compound polisher and a buffing machine to polish the finish. Once I am done it will look smooth as glass.

 

nice! Sounds like you know what you're doing. Can't wait to see the results.

 

Can't wait to see how she looks also, btw you did one hell of a prep job on her. I know just how hard painting is, esp. with the heat and humidity. and not to mention on you in a painter's suit.
take care

 

Finish picture???

 

Well bad news. During my test drive it developed an engine vibration, which turned out to be a balance shaft problem. Long story short, the engine is now back out of the truck, and being disassembled right now.

 

Not cool at all! Great job though! Can't wait!

 

The new balance shaft arrived today. Waiting on the new bearings and then we will be putting her back together again. Specs don't ask for it, but I am going to use some better lock-tite.

 

Well the bearings arrived for the balance shafts. got those in, and the new shaft on the right side of the engine was replaced. Waiting on time to install the chains and gears. After that I will replace the clutch. I was not happy with the hold I was getting, and this gave me a perfect excuse to replace it. Going with a Banhauf Stage 3 with the 6-puc design. Says it is good to over 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, so I should be good.

 

Hell yeah! Good to hear those parts made it in fast!