Tailgate painting and spot rivits - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-01-2016, 12:03 AM

A run on tailgate threads. The subject came up yesterday when I tore down the bed, and I need to settle on some things.

The painter asked me if I wanted the spot welds on the tail gate smoothed out. I believe they're above the lettering, maybe below it too. The gate isn't handy at the moment. He suggests it, and I figure it would look better too, but this project is a full restore to original or real close. So I'm looking for board opinion.

I understand the factory painted the tailgate and hardware when they're mounted to the bed. Do you recommend this method, or should they be done separately, which of course runs some risk of damage on install?

On a side note, for whatever it's worth, one of my tail light housings had Ochre inside. Perhaps the housings were mounted during some stage of factory paint.

CG · 08-01-2016, 12:29 AM

Personal preference of course. Even if its a full on resto people are still gonna wonder why you didn't smooth out those "dents" Only a purist will know that's just the way them came.

When I had my panel painted he smoothed out all those little "dents" on the fire wall for me.

**Grumpy old man** · 08-01-2016, 06:03 AM

Smooth them out , if you don't every time you walk past it you'll wish you did .

**GR8-68** · 08-01-2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Smooth them out , if you don't every time you walk past it you'll wish you did .

To me it looks so unfinished, looks like a lazy bodyman did it

**robs71** · 08-01-2016, 07:31 AM

KEY WORDS..full restore to original or close.yes they look nicer smoothed out but.....here comes my 2 cents.I am restoring a 72 super Cheyenne to factory specs.I purchased an n.o.s.gate for it and I would not even think of smoothing it out.Painting the gate off makes the nicer job.Before you have color on it take it on and off once or twice to get the knack of what my be a rub issue.After it is painted put tape on edges that might rub..not just any tape..go to automotive paint supply house and get the tape for this..not as aggressive as regular masking tape..stuff I use is blue in color...Rob

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-01-2016, 10:50 PM

Thanks for the responses.

davepl · 08-02-2016, 01:02 PM

Smooth them out. I have a pretty high end paint job and I cannot tell you how many times people have gravitated right to those little "dents" and asked or looked at them.

Once I tell people they're factory spot welds I generally get an "oh", but it's a sympathetic one :-)

It's not stock to fix them, but I wish I would have.

08-01-2016, 12:03 AM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,129	Tailgate painting and spot rivits A run on tailgate threads. The subject came up yesterday when I tore down the bed, and I need to settle on some things. The painter asked me if I wanted the spot welds on the tail gate smoothed out. I believe they're above the lettering, maybe below it too. The gate isn't handy at the moment. He suggests it, and I figure it would look better too, but this project is a full restore to original or real close. So I'm looking for board opinion. I understand the factory painted the tailgate and hardware when they're mounted to the bed. Do you recommend this method, or should they be done separately, which of course runs some risk of damage on install? On a side note, for whatever it's worth, one of my tail light housings had Ochre inside. Perhaps the housings were mounted during some stage of factory paint. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring it from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details such as OEM identifications& part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images include assm, illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 08-01-2016 at 12:43 AM.

08-01-2016, 12:29 AM	#2
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,787	Re: Tailgate painting and spot rivits Personal preference of course. Even if its a full on resto people are still gonna wonder why you didn't smooth out those "dents" Only a purist will know that's just the way them came. When I had my panel painted he smoothed out all those little "dents" on the fire wall for me. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

08-01-2016, 06:03 AM	#3
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Tailgate painting and spot rivits Smooth them out , if you don't every time you walk past it you'll wish you did . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

08-01-2016, 07:31 AM	#5
robs71 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Reading,Pa. Posts: 440	Re: Tailgate painting and spot rivits KEY WORDS..full restore to original or close.yes they look nicer smoothed out but.....here comes my 2 cents.I am restoring a 72 super Cheyenne to factory specs.I purchased an n.o.s.gate for it and I would not even think of smoothing it out.Painting the gate off makes the nicer job.Before you have color on it take it on and off once or twice to get the knack of what my be a rub issue.After it is painted put tape on edges that might rub..not just any tape..go to automotive paint supply house and get the tape for this..not as aggressive as regular masking tape..stuff I use is blue in color...Rob __________________

08-01-2016, 10:50 PM	#6
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,129	Re: Tailgate painting and spot rivits Thanks for the responses. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring it from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s details such as OEM identifications& part numbers, written in short order. 700+ images include assm, illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

08-02-2016, 01:02 PM	#7
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Tailgate painting and spot rivits Smooth them out. I have a pretty high end paint job and I cannot tell you how many times people have gravitated right to those little "dents" and asked or looked at them. Once I tell people they're factory spot welds I generally get an "oh", but it's a sympathetic one :-) It's not stock to fix them, but I wish I would have. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible



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