How To: C15a Wire-3 restoration

[Jordan Baker]

Yesterday afternoons progress. I got three of the side channels done and welded them onto the right side panel.

I plan to use a bit of a JB Weld product to smooth out some of the imperfections on the inserts.

[Bob Carriere]

With a coat of POR and the sandable Tie Coat ++++ the OD green no one will be able to tell..............

Good Job.

[Jordan Baker]

Today the other side was finished including the three inserts. These ones turned out nicer looking then my first three. I found after I had bent the partially cut piece, I was left with a large gap to try and weld. Today I scrounged up some thin metal rod and used it as a gap filler. It worked really well. It meant less welding and less grinding. I used the original top bow brackets too. Once sandblasted and painted they will look new.

I also washed out the insides of the channels with the usual POR steps and tomorrow I plan to flow in some POR to seal up the insides. Since Im done the majority of welding burn off wont be an issue.

I also went at removing the original side and front panels on the box. Using a combination of a both angle grinder and air hammer chisel I was able to get the majority off. Swarms of mosquitos convinced me to finish it off tomorrow.

Just for fun before putting everything away I also tried out one of my new panels on the box. I can't wait until I've got it all back together.

[Jordan Baker]

Spent the day getting the frame all prepped for sandblasting. I have to say, those war time welders sure did a fantastic job of welding these boxes. I've never gone through so many Zip disks and flap disks. I also put my air chisel to good use. Loaded it by hand onto my trailer and it's off to the blasters in the morning.

I also painted the inside of the side panel channels. They should be good and sealed for many many years to come.

[Jordan Baker]

Last Friday morning I dropped off the wire-3 box floor/frame and my three new sides at the sandblasters. This was at 0900. At 1230 he called to say everything was done and ready for pickup. As usual, he does a fantastic job.

So most of Saturday from 1000 to 1630hrs was spent doing the POR pre paint steps and then painting. Today I also finished POR'ing the topside of the box floor/frame.

Tomorrow I will start welding in the various bits I had to cut out with the new parts I had made.

[Jordan Baker]

Does anyone have any recommendations for helping to smooth out some of the top side floor pitting?

[Peter Duggan]

Jordan,

That's not pitting, it's patina. Great job on rebuilding the body.

Peter