I recently got the street scene rollpan and the smooth steps are chitty. The stockers fit way better, si i'd like to smooth them. So can someone tell me how to smooth them step by step? And what filler is used, Bondo body filler?
Thanks
Mike

 

Do a search for anything TampaBlack99 has done. If it was plastic he smoothed it, and did an outstanding job I might add. His posts got me started, and you would be suprised at how many things there are to soomth and paint on our trucks. My work looks good enough for me but if you want to know from "The Man" ask TB99.

Good luck

Alex

 

I agree ask Tampa...he is the Smooth King

 

The trick is to buy this kit from Summit ($50), it will save a ton of time. The other trick is to go slow with the air tools, melting the plastic from hi rpm's will make a mess and ruin the part. Rotate parts as they start to get warm, never work a hot part.

The disc's come in 40 grit to 120 grit, once you get to 120 grit you switch over to a normal electric sander and hit everything with 220grit. I used my orbital porta-cable for this step. Don't go any father than this, the paint needs a semi-rough surface to stick to.

A quick how to:

1) Start with 40grit discs to knock all the heavy ridges down.

2) When you think your close to being level with the surafce of the part, switch to the 60, 80 and 120 discs to level the whole piece out.

3) Removing the oem dipple texture is nothing, use 120 discs for this.

4) Finish by hitting all the peices with 220 and then start the bodywork using Lightweight bondo in the blue can.

This is not an easy job, take your time because if you don't, the final painted parts WILL look like crap.

I hate sanding parts, I still have 2 more to go.

 

Smoothing metal is really my bag

 

Like I said when it comes to smoothing, Tampa..."you da man"

Alex

 

Here are mine, not hard to do, tampa is right on target. alro remember to use a platic adhesion promoter. good luck and have patience

smoothie

 

 

This pic shows what happens when you go to fast with the air tool. There should be no ridges on the steps at all if done right.
I melted parts of the step and had to grind more off then was neccesary, then filled the low spots with bondo afterwards. Leason learned!

Also, don't go crazy with spot filler (the red stuff) like I did when I was first learning bodywork.

 

that looks really good Bryce, you need to come down here to Abilene and help me with that...or I can roll out to you.

 

Thanks Guys,
I just finished the smoothing, front and rear steps. I think they came out great, i used the spot putty after sanding down the ridges and then sanded. After that was smooth i sprayed it with primer to see where work was needed and then just spot puttied and wet sanded. The stock steps just fit sooooo much better than those damn street scene. The SS rollpan wouldnt line up at all with the SS rear steps, but with the stock ones its perfect.
Just waiting on paint.
Thanks again guys, i love this sight
Mike