Before and After the not so good way

[lukbrw]

As I posted a while back, my 76 needs a face lift. It was completely redone back in 1995 and it was a beautiful truck. After leaving for school, I left the truck with my dad. Over the years he used it for trips into town a couple of days a week. We built a new home in WI and now that we are settle in, it's time for the old truck to be brought back to the way she was. Like many of us, it isn't going to be a one time thing with tons of $ to spend. But I'm starting with a great platform. A little body work and attention to the paint this summer. Next year we'll probably tackle some new wood for the bed. The engine has always been great. 406 with a mild cam. Edlebrock intake and carb. Just needs a new battery.

We were at their place yesterday for Easter so I snapped some shots of how she sits now. Attached are before and after pictures. Any imput will always be welcome. Especially with the body and paint sitaution. Not always my strong area. Hopefully I can save the paint and just get the small rust issue controlled on a small scale.

Before:

[lukbrw]

AFTER ( My new starting point ):

[lukbrw]

After:

[1LoC10]

man, i was expecting the after pics to be a wreck or soemthing... still looks good, a little body work and paint and your good

[slug]

could be worse, you could have to start from the ground up like me

[streetstar]

Spend some time with a clay bar and a 3 step polishing system -- you might bring some color back to that old paint.

That still doesn't fix the fenders, but it would look a bit nicer, take some wd-40 and steel wool to the wheels and they will perk up too

[lukbrw]

Thanks guys!! If I had the funds and location, I wouldn't mind completely ripping into the truck like before. But with a family to take care of, it's more about getting them into something that we can all share.

Once it stops snowing any day now, it will be back in my driveway and let the fun begin.

[lukbrw]

Just picked up some extra fine steelwool. So the wheels are first on the list. Eventually I have to get rid of the 255/60/15's on the rear and bump it back up to the 275's I use to have on it. All in due time.

Any suggestions on the clay bar and 3 step systems? I was always using Mcguires....but recently polishing up my 2000 Silverado and my other half's RSX I used some Mothers. I'm open for opinions on that one.

[streetstar]

Check out the link to this old thread

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273870

It has some good polishing info

[OJOE]

what is all that white stuff all over the ground?

[Mr79C10]

I dig the tail lights.

[72BlckButy]

I have seen a lot worse... good luck with the build!

[gchemist]

Drive it like you stole it!!

[lukbrw]

Any one that wishes to have some of this snow is more then welcome to have it. More coming tomorrow. Just doesn't want to end this year.

Thanks for all the support....looking forward to making it shine again.

[84 400]

you will get her back. Then sun and snow can be a real bear on our trucks. I also used mothers. I use the 3 stage but only the glaze and the wax. My friend swears by Zanio but it is kinda pricey. I am kinda in the same boat as you but mine has not sat as long. Should be a fun project.

[chevymotocross]

Hey man that ain't bad at all. It needs a good buff and waxing but it looks like, as you stated, it was used a couple times a week, basically almost a daily driver. Not really that bad at all considering it was redone over 10 years ago. Buff it out, see where your paint stands afterwards, fix those rust issues before they get worse, and I would change those rims over to something different to give it a new look. I agree, I like those tail-lights.

[chopper tom]

Nice truck man ,a little elbow grease will go a long way with that one !
I would try to find some alluminum rims though ,the chrom is always a pain to polish and will just keep ruting any how and the alluminum[as long as its not cleared over will last a lot longer after polishing and you can leave out as long as you want and come back and polish right back like new .
The old five slots would be a good period rim for that truck too!
Its got that 70's typ of flavor!!!

[flamingbig10]

still good looking truck, the sun and weather changes can sure mess up in and out side of our trucks.

[lukbrw]

The tail lights are out of a gremlin. I get a ton of comments on them. They fit perfect.

I'm not sure if I would change the wheel style much. Since going forward the truck will not be driven in the winter, I'm not to worried that they will rust that quick. Plus with the amount of chrome on the truck, the old rims fit it pretty well. Plus they are way cheaper.

If spring would show up, maybe I can get some work done on it.

[lukbrw]

The truck is finally back in my hands!! It unfortunately happened earlier then expected. The tranny went on my 2000 Z71. But I was able to get 180,000 miles out of it. But that blows my budget for the 76. So we'll jus take it slow and probably drive it as is this year and rip into it next year. But for now....it's running great. Changed the oil and tranny. Fresh gas and a new battery and it fired right up. runs great. The hour long ride home went perfect. I didn't find a three step polish system in town, so I just used a mothers clay bar kit followed by some cleaner wax. The paint isn't perfect and there is more rust popping up then what I thought. But I think it turned out pretty good for now. Rims cleaned up pretty decent with some WD40 and steel wool.

Couple before and after pictures....

[lukbrw]

Couple more

[lukbrw]

It was pretty neglected, so I'm happy with the way it is now. Found a lovely hole in the right rear fender....so that will all have to be addressed someday. Maybe next year I'll just have to pull it all apart and restore it again. Until then, I'll just keep burning up the rear tires so I can get some new ones!!!!

The vynil cover was also shot. So that will have to be redone.....has anyone ever seen canvas ones??? I've seen some that look pretty decent if the color can match.

[84 400]

Yeah get out there and burn them up that truck has earned it! With the weathered look and gremlin tails it looks like a period correct 70's custom that was just pulled out of a long storage. Sorry to hear about the tranny issue but at least the stepper is back on the road and your getting to roast the rears again.\

Good luck on the resto