We've all had a spot of rust here and there, some much larger then others. But coming from the salty roads of Chicago, to the even saltier roads of Guam, there comes a time when you must either,
1. Shell out and have the whole panel painted.
2. Cover it up as best you can with a crappy sticker or fake chrome fuel door cap.
or
3. Make the best of it and end up making something cool.

Here is a before pic.
Note: You cannot see the rust spot as the resolution is low, but it is right below the gas cap about 1/2" down.
Note 2: There are now much bigger tires with the same rims now.


Here is the after mock up I made with Illustrator.
Note: The stripes will be masked off, sanded, primed, and painted with rustolium bed liner (for a rough finish, and a not quite jet black look.)
Note 2: The right thicker stripe will end up covering the rust spot.


Any thoughts or suggestions?

-Mike

 

Taping is done, now for the sanding. Priming soon to follow.

Rough sand with 80 grit (orbital sander)
Fine sand missed spots with 220 grit (orbital sander)
Hand sand close to the tape lines, (sander will tear up tape and sand where you don't want)

Two coats of rustoleum automotive primer

Two coats of rustoleum bed liner



Will post more pics soon.

 

All finished!! Looks great, solid, and the primer/ paint is holding very well. It has to cure for another 24 hours before going fast (wind might distort the edges above 35 mph) for anyone reading this and trying it them selves. Check out the pics! (I'll post more when its day light here in Guam.)





Thoughts?

 

IMO it looks great. Love seeing creative fixes like this. I did the same for my spare tire (check out the link in my sig). Style even fits the truck.

Good job. Def one of a kind truck now.

 

looks really sporty. breaks up the big expanse of grey paint nicely. I like it a lot!