Mike's 1973 D22 Complete tear out. From the Roof down!

[RockwoodMike]

Bottom end of assemble..Bearing..

This column is super simple..Because the shifting is done on the dash and there is no steering wheel lockup..

So the only thing you have is a key for the ignition start and power

Not very anti-theft at all..

May have to fix that some way..Maybe a hidden switch for the fuel pumps and ignition...

[RockwoodMike]

Both skins for the face are ready to be locked in place..The trim aluminum pieces is what secures everything in place..

How to clean up the aluminum trim??

Replace all the screws (steel) with stainless steel to stop all the rust spots..
New stainless screws on order..

[LJ-TJ]

Well you could buff them up to chrome like status .Or if all else fails you might want to try this new thing. I thinks it's called powder coating.

[RockwoodMike]

I thinks it's called powder coating.

I was seriously considering that..Problem is the Oven again..It is small and some of the trim are long and would not fit in the oven..

Maybe a new oven build to make up for that..Or a buffing wheel and some buffing compound..Or just hit with the soda blaster and call it good..

Got my Cruise Control in..OOOH!! So many parts!! 50 year old technology going in a 50 year old Motorhome..

Should not have any problem fitting!!    
 

[RockwoodMike]

I have a bunch of pieces to clean up..Grill is impossible..Power wash..Maybe a little 0000 steel wool to take out the rust spots..Soda blast..Call it good.

The list to get all this done is endless

[Eyez Open]

You're going to need a bigger oven, Time to Cowboy Up!     

[LJ-TJ]

Naw,Naw,Naw. You don't get to take the short cut now. Get out the old budding pads and polishing stones and start buffing.  You don't get to cheat and powder coat this time.

[RockwoodMike]

You're going to need a bigger oven, Time to Cowboy Up!     

My ultimate plan is a 4x4 by 8 foot tall oven..They are easy to make with steel studs from Home depot..

I have seen plenty of builds in this size range and the possibilities are big..8 foot tall and you could fit just about anything

[RockwoodMike]

Naw,Naw,Naw. You don't get to take the short cut now. Get out the old budding pads and polishing stones and start buffing. 

Alright Alright..Wow what a rough crowd around here!!  

Here is a game plan..The Random orbital sander..A little hammer and dolly to straighten things up some..

Here is 1 piece that I hit with 80 grit just to see what happens.. Bottom piece is the sanded..Top is the opposite side untouched..

https://www.ebay.com/str/guos76?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211

I ordered up some high number sandpaper for the RO sander..I think 2000 was the highest and all grits are wet/dry..

We will see how it works out..

Maybe some gloss clear coat spray can to preserve the shine??   

[LJ-TJ]

Oooops Buffing pad.

[RockwoodMike]

Oooops Buffing pad.

I give up..It will never happen

[Eyez Open]

You're going to need a bigger oven! Time to cowboy up! 😄😄😲

My ultimate plan is to build an 8-foot tall, 4x4 oven. They are easy to construct using steel studs from Home Depot.

I've seen many builds in this size range, and the possibilities are extensive. At 8 feet tall, you could fit just about anything inside!

There's a local business here that has a homemade booth. I've used this business many times for boat trim, ranging from old chrome to shiny new black chrome. I have always been impressed by the quality of their finishes. I'm considering getting both of my bumpers powder-coated for the Rambler, and now I think I might add some gold anodized trim panels as well.

[LJ-TJ]

Yeah! It will. Just keep going the way your going. Have any of you guys seen this spray on chrome stuff. Looks intriguing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Counting+Cars+Spray+on+chrome&oq=Counting+Cars+Spray+on+chrome&aqs=chrome..69i57.12776j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:1fda2256,vid:cIUErhuFXT8,st:0

[RockwoodMike]

https://www.columbiacoatings.com/chroma-chrome.aspx

I don't know what they were doing in that video..What he was spraying was beyond me..

But the idea of a new oven and the possibility of "Chroming" the aluminum is something to consider..

Enter Columbia coatings "Chroma Chrome"

I have never used it as it was a free pound when you bought a certain amount of other powder..

It involves cleaning the aluminum..Out gassing it(bake it in the oven to burn out any oil or anything else) then spraying this color..

While you are waiting for the oven to cook, you are cleaning your gun to spray a clear coat on top to give it the "shine"..

It is worth a try..on a piece of scrap and see what it is all about

Tomorrow..

[Eyez Open]

Oh, I'm quite sure you will be impressed. I know I was, and I can be anal at times. As in all painting...prep prep, prep prep, and some more prep.

[RockwoodMike]

[RockwoodMike]

I didn't have the success as the guy in the video..maybe because what I was testing it on is way different than a set of rims..

Flat rolled aluminum has so many imperfections in it from the rollers squeezing the aluminum to the thickness it is..

Here is some pictures..

Pic1 shows the powder in the container..Looks like cement that you use to combine with rock and sand to create concrete..

Pic 2..Up close..Every imperfection including every dust nib from a 12 mile radius will show in the finish..Every spot in the aluminum shines like a great big zit on your nose..It just reminds me of the chrome that is on plastic parts like a knob on the cloths dryer..

Some sort of chrome is applied to that plastic..It just looks cheap..

When the sand paper gets here, I will see what ordinary elbow grease polishing takes to make work..

Not happy with this "Chrome"..Sorry

[Eyez Open]

Are you sure your not hyper critical? But a flat wide strip is going to show potential fly chit from 10'. Getting a piano finish is probably not going to happen,and incredibly difficult to achieve. It almost takes a surgically clean prep and finish process.

[RockwoodMike]

I bought some sand paper on Ebay..To fit the palm sander..up to 2000 grit..

Came out pretty good..Maybe the purchase(Dump more money) of a bench top buffer..white and red compound would finish it..

[RockwoodMike]

Made the main harness for the rear of the motorhome..lights turn signals..ready to go after the floor is in..

[RockwoodMike]

Using Rustolium Farm Implement Paint..Gloss white..Repainted the front face pieces..

First coat..sand it down then a second coat will make it good

[Eyez Open]

I'm not sure if you've already prepared the paint, but adding about 8% xylene will help achieve a flat finish. Using foam rollers can improve the quality of the finish. With a little care, you can attain a urethane-type finish.
Xylene flashes off much slower than most additives  and really aids the paint to flo out..read level flat

[RockwoodMike]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167042825831

I bought these rollers off of Ebay..Pretty much a lifetime supply

And the paint is rolled very smoothly..Not totally level..it has the slightest orange peel..

And I will sand it with a fine grit disk before the second coat

As for the thinning..Label on the can said no more than 5%..even for spraying!!

The Implement paint from Rustolium is made differently than the regular paint..

Durability is enhanced..And I have seen many car repaints using this paint and foam rollers

an A minus paint job is being done. and the cost savings is large    

[Eyez Open]

You look great! I understand the dilution issue; one must always trust their own instincts. I've used that 8% dilution ratio with Rust-Oleum multiple times and have never had any problems. In fact, that paint is possibly the most durable hard finish I've ever used. Just wait until you sand it smooth for another coat! 😲

[RockwoodMike]

Anybody have an idea on what to do about this grill??it is held together like if it was welded..Can't tear it down to the individual pieces..