Builds 1978 FJ40. Waking up the ol’ girl!

[EStein]

I too was once there. I say paint the top as well. Usually spray paint fades quickly but there are ways to scuff up, dull paint.
Your fender looks great. I would try and get all the paint like that and paint the roof, OEM wheels and drive the heck out of it.

My old HJ45 right before @Wadesters made it amazing. I had to paint the bezel and roof to make it look a little more cruiser like.


View attachment 2265057

That is a sweet rig! My top and bezel look pretty similar! So much better now though!

 

[EStein]

good YouTube videos on it. Check it out. Reaction is quick. So prepared to stop it when you have desired effect.

I did a lot of experimentation with my random orbital sander. You’re right, it happens really fast!

 

[EStein]

You can sand it with different grades of sandpaper down to a dull surface look, and on some corners sand through the paint close to the metal

Did like you said. I think it turned out pretty good.

 

[EStein]

Woke up this morning to sunshine and the possibility of 70°! Paint day! Didn’t do a huge amount of prep cause to be honest, it wouldn’t look right if it was shiny and perfect. Spent about an hour with the sander, taped it off and sprayed. 4 cans of Rustoleum Appliance paint in biscuit. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I’ll let it cure for a week and then dull it a bit with some 400 grit. Also “aged” the headlight bezel a bit. Looks better. Hope it holds up.

It looks really white until you put it next to plain ‘ol white. Then it looks more biscuit...

 

[Tubbster85]

Wow what a difference that made with the top!

 

[EStein]

Wow what a difference that made with the top!

I know!!

 

[cwags12]

Unbelievable ! Love it. What a find. Great work and keep the updates coming, great inspiration during weird times.

 

[EStein]

Unbelievable ! Love it. What a find. Great work and keep the updates coming, great inspiration during weird times.

Thank you sir!

 

[FJBen]

Heck yeah! Makes a HUGE difference. Buff that paint out a little and it will look awesome. Already looking great!

 

[bhsdriller]

Way better, yep go to work on the paint next and I bet it would clean up a ton

 

[EStein]

Yes! Will experiment with the red today....the lawn is getting long but I’m just waiting for it to dry out! . I keep telling my wife I’m going to take a break for a few days and the next thing you know, I’ve been at it for 6 hours. Time flies!

 

[EStein]

Didn’t want to post this cause it kind of sucks but figured maybe it would help someone down the road...

Cleaned and lubed the rear fan and heater assembly. Good news it runs great. Blowers are no longer blowing the fuse. I had read that Rustoleum Pewter Gray is a good match to the interior gray/silver parts. Well....it’s not. I don’t think my ocd will let me live with it. May have to order a can from cruiser corps or just paint it black which is my go to!

 

[bhsdriller]

How much coolant do you lose when you disconnect the lines at the rear heater? Or I guess you can just pinch them off to keep from draining too much.

 

[TCEd]

Hit that super oxidized red with some compound and a buffer, you'll be surprised. Once you do that the bright roof and bezel will blend in better also.

 

[EStein]

How much coolant do you lose when you disconnect the lines at the rear heater? Or I guess you can just pinch them off to keep from draining too much.

Lost about half a cup. Was worried about that. There is a low point between the seats so I think that keeps it from all draining out. I put a block of wood under them once I took the core off and it seem to help.

 

[EStein]

Hit that super oxidized red with some compound and a buffer, you'll be surprised. Once you do that the bright roof and bezel will blend in better also.

I’ve got a few test spots going right now with some stripper and goof off. I’d love to be able to get down to the original paint. Unfortunately it appears there is a layer of primer between the two. Also I’m finding a few areas of bondo so it might be best just to buff up the paint that’s there.

 

[FJBen]

I’ve got a few test spots going right now with some stripper and goof off. I’d love to be able to get down to the original paint. Unfortunately it appears there is a layer of primer between the two. Also I’m finding a few areas of bondo so it might be best just to buff up the paint that’s there.

better update your avatar picture

 

[EStein]

better update your avatar picture

Ha!

 

[65swb45]

Eric

A picture is worth a thousand words. You asked about spline seating on the pitman arm. Here’s a pic of your core:

 

[65swb45]

PS: got the $$; shocks and miscellaneous parts are OTW.