How To: C15a Wire-3 restoration

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Thanks for the suggestion on using oil. However I'm not keen on doing that for the reasons Bruce brought up. With the bottom edge of the top channel only stich welded there is a number of minor gaps were the oil would leak out and stain everything. My plan is to wash out the channels with the marine wash and then etch with the metal prep. Any POR that seeps out will get wiped away or covered up when doing the final painting.

POR inside the doors, POR inside the gas tanks, POR smooshed into the hard to reach places the sandblaster can't get to. POR at $85 a quart has become a significant expense in vehicle restorations. The last time I did a gas tank some of the POR leaked out onto my asphalt lane way and that spot has been doing better than the tar blacktop I usually use. It may be expensive to POR the whole lane but maybe worth it as it will never need to be done again...

[Jordan Baker]

Got a couple of hrs in tonight in the shop. They were spent carefully cutting the channels for the side panels. I had bent them up previously. Once I had the angles down it was pretty straight forward to cut them out using a zip disk. Tomorrow I plan on cutting out the other three and then working out how to do the indentation and getting everything welded up on the sides.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Jordan

Yoiu might want to check the recent postings on cargo box construction under the Hammond barn .......

[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.