After once again primering the entire wagon with epoxy to seal all of the metal that was exposed during the leveling process, it was time to lay down 2 coats of high build 2K primer and then block it down with 180 grit
High Spots After Blocking High Build Primer
This disclosed a number of high spots in the roof and in the rear passenger door. I really wasn’t expecting nay major issues at the point, but my efforts to reinforce both of these areas with sheet metal bonded down with panel adhesive had some issues. Namely I had not done a really good job of cleaning the area prior to bonding with the adhesive, and the adhesive when it cures contracts with a good deal of force, which pushed any debris left on the surface up through the old metal, creating some not so nifty high spots.
High Build Reapplied After Repairing High Spots
After tapping down all of the high spots, I then filled the low spots with Easy Sand filler and then guided coated everything with 3M dry guide coat. I used the orbital sander with 180 grit to cut the filler down and then blocked it flat with 180 grit on my long blocks. Once I had the filler sanded, I re-shot the repaired areas with high build.
More High Spots After Blocking
After the primer had a good chance to cure, I coated the body with 3M guide coat and then I blocked the entire wagon with 220 grit. And found that several of the areas I had previously found were still too high requiring a bit more attention.
Fixing the Last of the High Spots
Once again I went after the high spots with my mallets, then filled and dressed the low spots until everything was flat again.
Prime Repairs with Epoxy and Check for Flat
I again hit all of the repaired areas with epoxy to seal them, I then guide coated the epoxy with 3M and went over everything with 220 grit on my 18″ and 24″ long blocks. Everything blocked down straight and flat! After a lot of inspection I decided to at least for now call it Good Enuf! The weather cooperated with me and we had several +50°F days which melted enough of the 40″ of snow away from the shop so that I could push the wagon outside. I then opened all the windows and doors, turned on the ceiling fans and got out Michelle’s trusty leaf blower and cleaned out the shop and then the wagon. Luck was still with me and the temperatures stayed nice for two more days which gave me the chance to lay down 2 wet coats of PPG K38 High Build Primer.
After 2 Wet Coats of PPG K38 High Build Primer
I have a couple of days of computer work to handle then I will get back to sanding. Guide coat then block with 12″ and 18″ blocks using 220 grit followed by wet sanding with 400. After that everything gets coated with surfacer followed by the color coats. With the wagon totally disassembled, I am running into a bit of a space problem in the shop. After I finish with the 400 grit, I will remove the hood, front fenders and inner fender panels and then remove the front suspension and rear axle so that I can paint the frame, axle and then rebuild the front suspension. At this time I will pull the steering column and third member and haul them down to Phoenix to be rebuilt. I can then reinstall the engine and transmission, drive shaft, and fuel tank, which will free up enough space to where I can set up the paint booth in the side garage. The ’39 will go live in the main garage until I get everything painted.
Stay tuned …