1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[Gary Lewis]

I think you are right, now’s the time. Good plan, Stan.

[Gsmblue]

More progress. Pulled the front end apart so i can get the paint on properly.

Used bondo and mesh to fill the holes..

The plan is to be in a position to prime/paint on Saturday/Sunday- but I am not rushing anything. Still
Need to pull the back bumper and swing arm.

Only dealing with the quarter panels as this was all about killing rust…

[ArdWrknTrk]

Will you be able to get a pair of NOS fenders (or desert preserved ones)???

Body work may be outside your wheelhouse, but front fenders are a pretty straightforward bolt on proposition.

[Gsmblue]

Not for this round.

But i will definitely be looking for fenders so I can replace them down the line.

I really need that shop space!!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Well you've gotten a long way towards killing the rust.  

ESPY will be looking fresh!  

[Gsmblue]

Cheers Jim. Hopefully I can do her justice.

Now, if you see fenders for sale, let me know!

[Gsmblue]

Hmm. Just looked on ebay and it looks like the fenders are 2 wall one piece. I was under the misconception that they were 2 piece - an inner and outer skin.

Now I need to find a step by step on how to replace a fender as this will be happening next summer!!!!

I am not sure if I should thank Jim or not 🤣

[ArdWrknTrk]

Yes, they are spot welded together.
All kind of stuff hangs off the inner side.

[FuzzFace2]

Here is what the inner fender looks like painted



You might be thinking of the plastic inner wheel well.
That is a different part that also bolts on to the fender wheel opening lip.
Dave ----

[Gsmblue]

Ta for the pics. Will build that in to next years budget.

I got more sanding and leveling done. Finally got to 400 grit.

The plan is to mask and prime tomorrow…. I only have 2 cans of primer and clear so we will see how far I will get, maybe just focus on one or two panels. The rest of the cans should arrive Monday.

Everything feels silky smooth, but let’s see how it looks when i lay the primer down..

[Gary Lewis]

And????  How did it go?  I'll bet it went well, but I'm anxious to see the results.  

[Gsmblue]

Used all the primer I had to hand today. Now I can see the last few low spots that need to be fixed.

I’ll let this all set up over night then go over with a last round of glazing putty then hit it with the block wrapped in 400 and wet sand. Should be able to apply final primer the next day..

Getting close!

[Gary Lewis]

Looking good!  

And thanks for subtly reminding me of your heritage with "to hand".  

[Gsmblue]

Ha! Every now and then one will squeak out!

Primer not arriving till Wednesday. Gives me tomorrow to do the last of the glazing putty and then I can paint the brake calipers/drums on Wednesday before getting back to the final coat of primer.

At this rate I should be able to put the base coat and clear coat down on Friday night or Saturday morning.

[Gary Lewis]

I like the reminders.  

Don't rush the painting or you may be sorry.

[Gsmblue]

I learnt from previous experience, take more time..

This is why I am leaving the primer to set up over night before sanding.

I’ll go over with 320 to knock off over spray. Then glazing putty where needed then 400 wet.

Leave it for a day, prime - actually it is a 2k epoxy sealer - on Wednesday and final sand on friday or Saturday. Then paint and clear.

Let’s see what actually happens.

[Gsmblue]

Well. What an adventure.

1 can of self etching primer
6 cans of epoxy primer/sealer
2 cans of filler primer
3 tubes of glazing putty
All of the sand paper ever up to 800 grit
6 cans of base - 3 full coats.

Now it is setting up .

Now i can see i didn’t sand a few spots well enough, luckily all out of sight.

Plan is to wet sand some dust out tomorrow and start on the 2k

clear!

[Gary Lewis]

Looking good!!!  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Your hard work pays off!

I hope you have nice weather and no breeze this weekend.  

[Gsmblue]

I was aiming for a 10ft paint job. Think I managed a 9.5ft, on the passenger side..

One panel came out different. I think due to the blue pearl coat. I had that issue with the fender flares previously. Nothing I can do about it now..