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Meet Red, my 81 Restomod Build

Jeepskate said:
I'm enjoying the project drift back toward a more retro feel. Living vicariously through you until I wrap up this house stuff...have to finish painting the outside & build the outdoor railings & install a new well/cistern pump, then maybe I can get in some Jeep time. Got the hot tub working today & dialed in the water, so the boss lady is giving me a little breathing room. She was actually complaining about my lack of attention to the Jeeps last weekend. o_O:geek:
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I too was excited to be drifting more to the retro feel. Then the wheels came back and burst that bubble. I will admit that I think I’m a bit OCD and ADD…so if it’s not right it’s not right, along with when things hit a slow-down, I tend to go off in a different direction in a futile but well intentioned attempt to simulate progress. 🤔. So…I’m back on track, so to speak. I’m sticking with the original decision of the black wheels, seeing as everything I’ve done so far supports that. Black torx bolts, black door handles and mirrors, etc. I had always intended this to be a bit of a hot rod and have that “look”. I just need to stick to that plan, knuckle down, and get it done. (Although spending the last few days doing so much work on the horse area doesn’t help since I can hardly move now…)

Well, what to do with the white wheels? Since Red has progressed to being a “Sunday Driver” due to the paint and how nice everything is coming out, I guess I’ll need another Jeep to be a driver/trail rider. Yeah, I have the XJ but that’s really my wife’s and if I’m 100% honest, 6’2” and 285 lbs doesn’t fit in there comfortably on long drives. So once Red is completed, I’m going to build another Jeepster. I had one before and really miss it.

Sneak peek- 1970 Island Blue and white, white wheels, 31” tires with minimal lift, color matched upholstery, some sort of V6- either a newer GM 4.3 with DI, or maybe a Ram 3.6 with the matching trans. A retro beach vibe. Best part? Carol is totally on board! And I still have my “JPSTRR” personalized plates! Pretty much like this just with a full top. A2F358AD-266C-47AC-8001-AB6766427153.jpeg
Jeepskate, it’s good to hear that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel on your home projects. I have enjoyed watching your progress updates!
 
Randyzzz said:
I too was excited to be drifting more to the retro feel. Then the wheels came back and burst that bubble. I will admit that I think I’m a bit OCD and ADD…so if it’s not right it’s not right, along with when things hit a slow-down, I tend to go off in a different direction in a futile but well intentioned attempt to simulate progress. 🤔. So…I’m back on track, so to speak. I’m sticking with the original decision of the black wheels, seeing as everything I’ve done so far supports that. Black torx bolts, black door handles and mirrors, etc. I had always intended this to be a bit of a hot rod and have that “look”. I just need to stick to that plan, knuckle down, and get it done. (Although spending the last few days doing so much work on the horse area doesn’t help since I can hardly move now…)

Well, what to do with the white wheels? Since Red has progressed to being a “Sunday Driver” due to the paint and how nice everything is coming out, I guess I’ll need another Jeep to be a driver/trail rider. Yeah, I have the XJ but that’s really my wife’s and if I’m 100% honest, 6’2” and 285 lbs doesn’t fit in there comfortably on long drives. So once Red is completed, I’m going to build another Jeepster. I had one before and really miss it.

Sneak peek- 1970 Island Blue and white, white wheels, 31” tires with minimal lift, color matched upholstery, some sort of V6- either a newer GM 4.3 with DI, or maybe a Ram 3.6 with the matching trans. A retro beach vibe. Best part? Carol is totally on board! And I still have my “JPSTRR” personalized plates! Pretty much like this just with a full top. View attachment 94861
Jeepskate, it’s good to hear that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel on your home projects. I have enjoyed watching your progress updates!
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I think I'm in love...that is GORGEOUS!!!
 
Randyzzz said:
That’s where the “more on that later” comment came from. There are definitely areas on the seams on each wheel where it looks like the powder “bridged” the gap. I asked and they replied that that’s how they all come out, and there was nothing they could do. Quite disappointed. Definitely not up to the standards I’m holding this build to.
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Hate to hear but not surprised. FWIW the powder coat place said it would eventually bake out all the gas but you don’t know how many times. Third time was the charm for me but that one experience told me to never do it again With Jeep wheels.
ive done motorcycle wheels that didn’t have a welded seam and they came out flawless first go at it.
 
AdamH said:
Hate to hear but not surprised. FWIW the powder coat place said it would eventually bake out all the gas but you don’t know how many times. Third time was the charm for me but that one experience told me to never do it again With Jeep wheels.
ive done motorcycle wheels that didn’t have a welded seam and they came out flawless first go at it.
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I’ll post up a picture tomorrow. It looks like excess powder, although I guess it could be bubbles…😞
 
My concern with powder coat is adhesion.

If rust gets behind the powder, the surface looks fine till large sheets start peeling off.

Also, powder is not very flexible, so spanning cracks is not good, especially on wheels that are always flexing as they roll.

Paint adheres much better and bends as parts flex.

Plus, paint can be touched up, powder is not repairable, and once chipped will allow moisture to get behind it and start the corrosion monster.
 
When I redid the wheels for my ‘59 Ford 641 I used regular automotive paint from ppg. It was a base coat clear coat system. Those rims have been beat up running on a rocky ranch in central Texas, had multiple tires and tubes changed with tire irons in the field.

Rims still look great, no rust.
 
Here’s what I’m dealing with. 32074CDB-DB9C-41F7-B150-B82FCB2468BE.jpegBC7129E5-A468-4E0D-B2C8-9BAC79BC4ACB.jpegThis wheel is the worst of the 5. The other 4 have varying degrees of the powder “bridging” the seam. I can’t use these on the Scrambler but they will work on the Jeepster. I am going to talk to the manager just to see if there’s any resolution. If nothing can be done, I’m considering filling the seam with paintable flexible self leveling epoxy seam sealer, scuffing with an abrasive pad, and painting with white epoxy.
Or just run ‘em as is.
 
Sorry for your wheel issues. I have had older powder coating removed by professional chemical soaking through the company that does powder coat. Possibly your provider can remove powder coat to resolve your problem. Then go back with paint.
 
My powder coater said they have to do the extra step of priming before doing the powder
Strip/clean/primer/powder... costs more, but never have those type of issues since they started doing it that way.

cb
 
Another big step. Brakes are bled, and so far, I am really pleased with the NiCopp line. Everything appears to have sealed well.

And…no drips on the paint! Product Promo- I painted the master with Eastwood brake fluid resistant paint. It got a bit wet during bench bleeding, but it held up as advertised.

1C2879A5-74C3-4743-841A-36C38D3C94BE.jpeg8347B0EF-BCBE-41A0-99D5-998201B6A92B.jpeg
Also- nice firm pedal and no leaks under pressure either!
 
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Chamba said:
Mine was April 21st. They get better with age, just like their owners.....
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Red is definitely getting better…can’t say that much for her owner. I’d love new paint and a LS swap…
 
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