71 Deuce Paint
Thanks for all the nice comments! It makes all the work worth doing.
A couple of notes - since everyone asked.
Paint is Gillespie # 24087 Semi Gloss OD. Used 2 and 1/2 gallons to cover everything including troop seats and bows (they were really dry and took alot of paint)
I've had best results with that paint over the years. Good price value relationship. Best if you can pick it up at one of the shows from RAPCO or Army Jeep Parts and save the Hazmat fee and UPS.
I thin it with a Medium Enamal Reducer (NAPA) at 1 part reducer to 4 parts paint. Measured!
Decals are from Rick Larson. Well worth the money. I waited 2 weeks for paint cure before installing the decals. I did them "dry" which is fine. Doing the large stars should be done with the wet method in order to get the air bubbles out. Will do the large ones wet on the next progect.
If you have ever tried to sand blast that many layers of GI paint, that has been baked on for 30 years, you know it is darn near impossible. I gave up sand blasting. And carefully used a 4 inch angle grinder with a sanding disk on the large flat surfaces like the hood, fenders, doors and bumbers takinging it down to the red primer layer. Then sand blasted that to a smooth surface finish. There are a few places that were just sanded with a palm sander and overpainted. If you get within 18 inches you will see a few old brush marks from Uncle Sam.
I really should have removed the cargo bed and blasted the whole thing, including the underside but I was racing to get ready for the MVPA Convoy. Winter road salt had done a number on the fenders and underside of the cargo bed. Replaced the right front fender with an NOS one.
This unit had M35A1 trucks issued new at Fort Knox before they shipped them to Vietnam in 1968. They were turned over to the Viets at the end of the tour in 69. Since this truck is a 1971 the 1968 unit markings from the units Vietnam tour would not be correct. Thats why the 5th Army state side designation went on. Our M151 has the 1968 Vietnam tour unit markings applied.
Thanks again. Watch for us on the MVPA TMC09 convoy.
Cat Man
Mine will be close to that color (maybe 34087? ) some day, but certainly not that nice. I don't plan on attempting to strip my 2 layers of CARC & all the texturing off the bumber & fenders.
) Your wonderful work should inspire alot of Guys to attempt to do the same. I have dreamed for some time now about treating the 'Ol Girl to OD paint and white stars. Again, Very Nice!
