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Project Panel Replacement

... I heard so many conflicting reports of when to do it, that I just decided to wait a bit...

cb

Good decision, but only if you can keep it oil free.

For most floor finishes, you want the concrete moisture content to be fairly low. In commercial construction on the gulf coast, we turn the air conditioning on as high (cold) as possible, then use the reheat to bring the temperature up to normal levels. Basically, dehumidify the air to draw moisture out of the slab. Even then, sometimes a slab needs to cure 9 + months before the moisture content levels start to drop.

With you being up north, as long as you are not coastal, you should have much less concerns of moisture content in the slab.

I personally don’t like epoxy paint, only epoxy (resinous) coatings. One is a thin paint, the other is almost 1/8” thick.

I would either leave it bare or just seal it personally.
 
I used a product called “GhostShield” and it was fairly easy to apply and seems to work well. First step was a densifier and then a sealer. I waited a couple months after the concrete was poured, however I think I should have waited longer. There was a lot of moisture in the ground when the concrete was poured. Anyways- the end result is concrete that spills will “wipe off” as long as you get to them quickly. Water beads up on it, but if you leave it there awhile it starts to soak in. Even though it seems like some stuff will darken the concrete, a good brushing with a dilution of Super Purple gets things looking pretty new again. The best part is that the surface is not slippery when wet at all. So, it doesn’t make the concrete impervious to stains, but it does give you time to clean spills up before they have a chance to stain.
 
Back at it last night... cleaning up old parts, welding in retaining nuts, drilling spot welds, trying to get more out of the rear... and realizing I need to order a few more pieces... this tub still is one of the cleanest ones I have come across, but still, there is rust lurking everywhere.

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Gotta use the selfie feature to see if there was good penetration... check!
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The rear will be tedious, so many spot welds and I want to preserve the rear cross member if I can, it is in decent shape.


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The hole continues to grow, but that front step up piece is too far gone in places... not horribly bad, but enough that I need to order a new one and either replace the whole thing, or spot it in... but it is what it is... like I have always said and tried to follow... you are down this far, might as well do it right now, even if it takes longer and costs more.

cb
 
Detective work last night... not a ton of good news... looks like this was hit pretty good in the rear at some point... bondo evidence as well as the rear light area (not pictured) definitely took a shot.

Ordering up some new parts... gonna be a bit on fixing it, but overall the rear cross member needs to come out... was hoping not to, but it needs it... there was more rot in there where the panels met then I had hoped.

cb

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cb
 
Accident history can be more problematic than rust in a lot of ways. My tub is 100% rust free but but was laid on its side many years ago.

The only way I'm ever going to fix it 100% is to replace the cowl and the entire right side from A pillar back to the tail light. The passenger door doesn't close quite right.

With rust, everything is at least straight in theory.
 
Was working on a special project last night, but here is the pic I am referring to.

Hard to see in this one... but it is bent down on the right... seam sealer is pulling away and it is dented.


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This one from above shows the separation.

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cb
 
Awesome work as usual...can't wait to feed you a CJ or two each winter...when you "retire?" :cheers:
 
Getting an original back panel piece cleaned up and old metal removed for use in the new tub... waiting on a few other body panels before the real work can begin.

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cb
 
Your skills are crazy(in a good way) and very impressive(understatement)!
 
Your skills are crazy(in a good way) and very impressive(understatement)!
Well I am certifiable (in an unknown way) and under...stood, in many ways.

Thanks for the words... I am waiting on one last piece of the puzzle right now, so really just doing prep work in order to prepare.
I think Friday the last piece comes in.

cb
 
And then I had a little birdie come out to tell me that something was not right with the kitchen sink... sigh...

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The metal just fatigued to the point of disintegration... so dishes will be done elsewhere until I get it fixed up :)

cb
 
I can't believe you guys haven't been covered up yet with the white stuff
It has been a very strange year... one of the most wettest on record and now it is 41 degrees this morning when it should be half that.
I dunno, but I am getting a lot more done outside without heavy clothing which is nice.

cb
 
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