I would like some input please

I am just curious on the take of the forum members here. Now I know it has been discussed before or atleast opinions have been asked about things and I know the conclusion is always ultimately the owner has to do what he/she wants but here goes. As you know I picked up a '77 Chevy that is 98% rust free with the original well worn paint and some of the original paper work with the truck. The truck has one nice size dent in drivers door and a decent one in passenger side bed. Don't get me wrong it has a few small dings here and there but those two are the worst and the bodymen at work seem to think we can get those two close to straight without doing anything to the paint. They have also looked over the truck and offered to do the body work and the painter said he would paint it but it is only original once and I am diggin' the character of it. I like shiney cars also but I am leaning towards preserving this one by just clearing over the original paint. So what is your take on this?

 

Polish it and leave it....DON'T clear coat it. You will regret that.
Fix the dents without paint work if you can and if you can't leave them.

 

I was going to use a flat clear but you think I am better not putting any on?

 

Absolutely. If you polish it it will still have the older patina look of lights & darks. When the polish begins to lose its lustre it will look like an honest old truck. Worth more that way, too. That truck is way too cool to mess with newer coatings.

 

You know, Tman....the other thing is...the more you spruce it up with shiny stuff and fixing dents, etc...the less fun you will have with the truck. This way (what I suggest) if you scrape it a little here or there you can just buff it out and carry on. I like the fact that it is a survivor and isn't lying about it.

 

Who says asking for input can't help out Thanks, makes it even easier since I can handle that myself not that my friend, the painter, wouldn't get it done but when someone is doing a favor you are at their mercy.Learned that with my wagon motor.

 

There's a lot to be said about my post #5, too. You want to use that 'ol truck and have fun with it and not worry about scratching or chipping clear coat. Besides...when people see it they will know it's ORIGINAL. If it was mine, and it needed seat covers, I would put original covers in there, too.

 

The drivers side seat bottom is worn and has been sewn. I am going to throw something over the bottom for now so when I go to a cruise night I can pull it off and preserve it just awhile longer but hope to sometime in the future change the door panels.The sun has put a beating on that plastic. A dash pad and a seat cover in the original red with plaid inserts (it just screams 70's) but that is all down the line but yes I do like the original seat covers also.The guy I got it from gave me a new generic seat cover with it but I rather the worn original than that.

 

If the dents aren't too sharp edged, I bet you an pull them out to acceptable in half of no time using a sink plunger. A little soapy water, and get the panel vibrating, the give a good yank. It is amazing how good you can make it look in about 10 minutes. Then, just keep her as original as you can and enjoy. She sounds like a great old truck.

 

It IS a great old truck!


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Listen to the 'Fox.............

 

The R/S bed dent should push right out - there's a lot of room to get at it.
Put a 2x4 cut to length, against the metel, just under the body line, and something long to push it out!
Good luck!

 

Thanks, I'm gonna give the 2x4 a try 65. Yeah, Krash I been thinking about it since I got the truck and makes good sense what everyone is saying and as I said I can do all that right here don't have to wait a on anyone's schedule. As I stated not that these guys at the shop wouldn't help me but they also have busy schedules and is hard to take on extra free work, I have a hard enough time finding time for my own junk.
I also just got back from the junkyard, I noticed steam coming from under the truck when it is cold. I looked and the tail pipe looked like swiss cheese from behind the muffler. Got a nice heavy gauge one from the pull a part for $5. Last week got a nice stainless tip for $3 so a $8 investment will look nice...I love being able to get most everything I need at the junkyard since chevy used that bodystyle for so long!

 

Duals and a K+N air filter would give you more mileage, and it'll run better, too!
Drivers door might be a little trickier, though.

 

I thought about exhaust but I have never owned anything this close to factory correct ever! It is so quiet you have to put your hand on it to see if it is running if you are standing outside it. The only thing incorrect on the whole truck are the wheels and floor shift.