Build thread for the 72 GMC, finally. Thanks John!

tuna55 said:

NOHOME said:

Assuming that Glass-filled filler is the next step on the hood front? AKA "Kitty hair". 

Not a bad plan. What's your favorite flavor?

Evercoat makes one called "Everglass". But there are several vendors and I am guessing it is pretty much the same stuff. Your call on short or long hair strands. I use short for no real reason other than that is what I first used about 45 years ago. 

The only heads up with this stuff is that it does not sand like bodyfill; it is hard like a rock so you dont want to be too sloppy and you do want to sand with 40 grit.

Have you considered some product like Allmetal or Metal 2 Metal? I my experience if you time the process right or add just a bit of the regular polyester harderner to it can be "cheese grated" and generally sands much easier that Kittyhair

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

??

In reply to tuna55 :

What type of kitty hair.  Lolz.

demnted said:

Have you considered some product like Allmetal or Metal 2 Metal? I my experience if you time the process right or add just a bit of the regular polyester harderner to it can be "cheese grated" and generally sands much easier that Kittyhair

I'm going to try the metal 2 metal. I'll let you guys know first how it goes

In other news, I'm finally warm after spending a few hours in the driveway in the 30s welding and grinding.

On the metal 2metal use the liquid hardner as recommended, then right before mixing add a little of i usually have blue polyester filler hardner. It doesn't take much but it makes a major difference in how it does or doesn't sand. As typically those products dry slower than regular "bondo", if you test it a time or two you'll find it has firmed but is not rock hard. Another plus is the lack of that fiberglass itch.

Have used "all metal" for some stuff, but I find the kitty hair to be more flexible and hence crack resistant.  I consider a weld seam to be like a fault line with a potential for local stress. 

They both sand about the same, just use 40 grit on a block and you will be fine.

Uh oh, I've gone against Pete's advice for the first time since starting this project. I already bought the metal 2 metal, based on reading the evercoat literature. I'm going to try it, but will be careful. 

And that's covid for me. Out of commission for a bit. Stay tuned. 

Take care of yourself.

In reply to tuna55 :

Bummer. Take the opportunity to rest and don't be brave. Just went though a rough time with my <40 sister in law. 

Loads of vitamin C, rest and stay hydrated, hoping for your quick recovery.

Story time!

Tunawife has AERD, which is weird. Her sinuses swell to the point of being completely blocked with polyps, and do not recover without surgery. She is on an unusual medicine ($40K annual street price!!) which is intended to keep the polyp growth at a minimum. Just as she got prescribed this medicine, abut two years ago, she caught the flu. The swelling from the flu was enough to necessitate a surgery. We're hearing a sinus cavity is good for about six surgeries lifetime, and that was her third.

Nobody gives a rip about me, I could drop off the face of the earth, Tunawife would sell the truck to one of you, and the kids would manage with life insurance money. The real goal here is to keep her out of surgery.

I am in the spare hobby room cleaning everything I touch.

Weirdly enough, the first symptoms looked so much like a UTI that the doc prescribed antibotics despite a clear culture. SO that's fun.

Drink your Power/Gator aid..........ALOT!!!!   and get a spit cup (er gross I know) .....and I give a whoot BOUT YOU!!!

759NRNG said:

Drink your Power/Gator aid..........ALOT!!!!   and get a spit cup (er gross I know) .....and I give a whoot BOUT YOU!!!

Thanks dude!

tuna55 said:

759NRNG said:

Drink your Power/Gator aid..........ALOT!!!!   and get a spit cup (er gross I know) .....and I give a whoot BOUT YOU!!!

Thanks dude!

He's not the only who would miss you 

Indy - Guy said:

tuna55 said:

759NRNG said:

Drink your Power/Gator aid..........ALOT!!!!   and get a spit cup (er gross I know) .....and I give a whoot BOUT YOU!!!

Thanks dude!

He's not the only who would miss you 

Aww thanks

Convalesce well, Tuna.

So I am isolating in my home in the hobby room, only coming out for bathroom and shower breaks. I get a notification that the metal 2 metal arrived. I ask Tunawife (via text):

"Can you check the front door? I think a package arrived via UPS for me"

"Already did, it's sitting inside. I haven't opened it."

"Cool. Can you open it? And also can you mix it up and apply it to the right areas of the hood and generally get the hood ready for primer?"

"no"

Was it a good try? Not really.

Still alive. Tunakid 3 coughed himself sick all over everything in the bathroom yesterday (floor, toilet, hamper, window, curtain, garbage can, sink, tub) so it was a late night, but I am heading back to work tomorrow.

In reply to tuna55 :

Glad you're on the mend.

In reply to tuna55 :

I am so happy to hear that you are still with us, but man you get a rough go of it. 

I am out now, but the kids are in. Evenings have become tougher and tougher as their bedtimes have gone later and my tasks have become longer and later. That said, I got some time last night. Tunawife was feeling icky so she went to bed and I actually got some time in the garage. I actually was able to weld on patches for the reshaped fender front. I actually am ready for the temperature to increase enough for me to use the filler we talked about. I actually am going to start priming this thing in the spring. I actually just started three sentences that way.

I had some time in the garage yesterday with tunakid 4. She's always hanging out with me in the garage. After a few woodworking projects, I decided to plop the hood on and see what was what. I had already patched up the fenders in the manner she had recommended, and I thought it was starting to look like something. At first she made the mistake of telling me that I couldn't put the hood on by myself. So she watched me do that, but she did help grab bolts so I could assemble it. At any rate the finished product is pretty great I think. Note the zip tie helping to hold the grill on. The grill still needs a little bit of help to be aligned properly, and I'll need to add a bracket to hold it with the hood latch. That said, feast your eyes: