Just had the truck painted

[fj40z]

Picked it up yesterday evening, real pleased with it. It's been raining here since I picked it up so I haven't even had a chance to clean all the dust out of all the crooks and crannies yet. Next on the list is to take the bed liner out and have it rhino lined.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Have the rims been painted or powder coated or is it just the lighting in the photo?

 

[fj40z]

I painted them my self with VHT wheel paint, graphite grey.

 

[KLF]

Looks nice!

I would re-think the bedliner idea. I also have had a drop-in liner in my truck, actually since it was new. I have been pulling it out almost annually and spreading fresh oil and grease (actually cosmoline) inside the bed, especially on the infamous seams that rot on these beds. I also have the undersides of the seams smeared with cosmoline. I'm convinced it saved my bed from the usual demise of the popped spot welds and the dimples that you eventually get.

I'm talking to a guy now about doing all my paint work for me, and even though he sells and does Rhino-Lining, he highly recommends I stay with the drop-in liner. He has one in his own truck. He showed me a Ford that had been Rhino-lined when new, and the bed still rotted out from under the liner. It's like the spray-in liner held in moisture and promoted rusting.

I hate how the drop-in takes up so much space, but I have to admit it is very durable. I've tossed everything in there, bricks, axles, engine blocks, it's still fine. I'm gonna stick with it.

 

[fj40z]

Thanks, I had planned to por 15 the inside of the bed first then do the rhino liner, but you bring up a good point. I have heard similar stories about rust forming under spray in liners. I will definitely weigh my options out first. I am going to put por underneath the whole bed as well. I like the idea of the cosmoline I will look into that, is that something easily sourced?

 

[arndog123]

Looks great. How much did it cost you? My '85 mini will probably need a new paint job in a year or two.

 

[KLF]

Well, first... I wouldn't put POR15 on anything. I hate that stuff. Waste of money, overpriced snake oil.

I found a gallon can of Military grade cosmoline in a local surplus store many years ago, I've gradually been going thru it. It's even in an olive drab can. Sticky gooey stuff, but it does work and it's very waterproof. Hey... if it's good enough to protect a Sherman tank, it should work here!

 

[fj40z]

I've got around a grand in the paint and body work. The truck wasn't overly rusty, a couple of the usual places along the seams that were cut out. The majority was small dents from some light hail damage. A body man did it in his spare time so he cut me a little bit of a deal since I wasn't in a hurry.

Honestly ive had pretty good luck with por. I mean I know the only way to cure rust is to cut it out, so with that being said there is a part of me that totally agrees with you on the snake oil part, but if cutting and replacing the metal is not a option I do feel it's better than nothing. I will locate some cosmoline though, I have heard stories of people coating whole cars that sat outside in fields and stuff to keep them from rusting.

 

[KLF]

I used POR15 a lot on my earlier '84, as I was convinced it was worth the expense and hassle. Within 2 years it was all peeling off. And this was after following the instructions to the letter, buying their expensive Metal Ready prep, top coating.

I've had better luck with good ol' Rustoleum. Plus, you can get it on any street corner, and it doesn't get hard in the can within a few days after you open it.