1953 Chevy Truck - Body
In cleaning up the engine & front chassis area it became apparent we'd need a steam cleaner to have any hope of removing the accumulation of caked-on dirt and grease. In the meantime, there are plenty of small parts needing attention. After sandblasting the running boards were seen to be quite straight with only minor rust areas.
Various layers of repair materials on the left rear fender were undoubtedly related to the collision damage on the cab corner.
The fenders were stripped by a combination of sanding, grinding, and sandblasting. Only the front portion of the left rear fender had any significant damage. The previous metal work on the spare tire relief was quite nicely done, even though not at the factory.
Steam cleaning is different from pressure washing; more heat, less pressure. The cab was sealed with plastic sheeting and rags in miscellaneous openings. A little time and patience pays big dividends here.
The left rear cab corner had been damaged all the way to the door post. It looks a lot better after stripping and some straightening. The finish work will be done to match the door after it's reinstalled.
A few more areas of rust damage were discovered while preparing the cab interior for paint.
The front clip (fenders, inner fenders, radiator, core support, and grille) was removed as a unit. That will greatly facilitate refinishing of the firewall. engine area, and the sheet metal itself.
The apron that bridges the gap between the left side of the bed and the running board was bent as well.
The rusted out areas were welded up, then ground back closer to the original contour of the stamping.
A little careful grinding makes it where the final body work will be minimal.
This was a good time to paint the top of the exposed frame rails, front and back while the cab interior is still protected from the steam cleaning operation.
The front fenders had enough shape to them to allow sandblasting. There were a few areas of plastic body filler, but all related to dents--not rust.
The hood was mostly sanded by DA to avoid warping.
