How hard to shave taillights?

[bignick31985]

I was originally planning on NOT shaving the lights, b/c I still dont have gas for my Lincoln, and I dont have a stud welder to pull out imperfections. I can imagine that this area of the bed sees alot of flexing (when you go up driveways sideways and such). And I dont know if anyone has had problems with crackign out.

How hard is it to shave the lights? Being such a large area, should I even attempt it without gas?

I've just been looking at the taillight blackouts and led pan, and even though the blackouts will be the color of the truck, I dont know if thats what I want. I kinda want to go all out on it, lol. But still not mold in the pan.

And, if I do decide to tackle this, which fillers are good? I was thinking of going with Custom Classic. Another question: Why are the Grant Customs one over $100 and the CC ones under $55. Are the Grant ones really worth the loot?

And is .025 wire alright for sheetmetal?

[thebagged1]

well its not hard... just like shaving door handles just tail lights.. you gotta take your time to prevent warpage.... a stud welder is deffinatly an handy tool because it will help you pull out the metal around where you weld... id deffinatly use gas tho... i never had good luck with gasless welders, and .025 would work but i used .030 on mine.. now the defference between grant and other guys, grant are made made soo more $$ and most other guys are stamped.... eather will work fine but might have to work alittle harder if you use the cheaper filler. ( i had good luck with fbi and grant) and most important you need to figure out what you are gonna use for lights

[thebagged1]

i also use chrom-light or z grip bondo... sands good cheap and very durable... so works for me

[Beyond Static©]

the grant fillers are China made ones(like most everyone sells for $50), but grant reshapes them to a damn near perfect fit. If you're pretty good with metal work, your generic fillers will work fine. But if you want a filler ready to be welded on, the grant's are the ones you want. Just depends on skill level

[Sweet Tea Man]

:word: hhey nick, i sent you a PM

[bignick31985]

I got it SoCo...sent you one back as well.

I used .035 Flux core to weld up everything else so far. And I've had warpage issues with that.

I was looking at the CC ones, b/c the Grant ones are primo expensive. As far as metal work, I've got no stud welder, no body hammers or dollies, and such like that, so I guess the Grant ones might be my only option. Even a cheap-o Harbor Freight stud welder is nearly $225. And I have a feeling a cheap set of body hammers (like at Northern Tool) just arent worth even the $20 they want for them.

As far as lights I've got a steel pan here with 4 LED's (2 per side) for taillights, courtesy of Custom Classic.

[Sweet Tea Man]

i welded in my sir mikes ones on the old project truck bed with no problems. i trimmed them down, adjusted with my hands and my leg how i needed it, tacked the top part to hold it, and used my hammer to push down where i needed while i was tacking it in place. little grinding and mud work later, i was good to go.

keep in mind, i didnt have to worry about the upper body line:LOL:

[bignick31985]

Yeah, I got that body line still, lol.

I'll have to pick some of that glaze up. I've been finishing with the Z-grip only, and using a 2 part finishing glaze to fill in minor scratches.

I was looking at thsi as well. Just for occasional use if I need it. Not that expensive, but I dont know about the quality.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3223

[Sweet Tea Man]

that would be fine for your dent removal. i would only grab up one of the more expensive ones if you do it everyday. i paid around 450 for mine about 2-3 years ago i think

[bignick31985]

Cool. I could have used that on the handles as well, lol.

I'm look into ordering the fillers and such, probably just Custom Classic, a cylinder of shielding gas, and the stud welder and hopefully start on everything once it gets here. I want to make sure my OT money covers both the g/f's car repair and this.

[bignick31985]

Well I got the fillers and stud welder ordered. A little creative math on my part, lol. I'm holding out on the shielding gas, b/c thats another $125ish or so I dont know if I'll have, lol.

Plus if I decide to go with the .030 flux core, I've a stud welder now...I'd still prefer to MIG it though.

THanks for you guys help again!!!

[Beyond Static©]

I'd spend my money on gas for the welder before a stud gun IMO. You shouldnt have hardly any warping with the fillers, since the metal has a few bends and double thick sheetmetal where you will be welding.

[bignick31985]

After sleepign on it I decided to just bite the bullet and get the gas. I havent had it yet, and I know it'll make my life easier and that I'll use it much more than flux core.

The last time I pulled a warp I had to drill holes and use a puller...it sucked big time, lol. So

[Sweet Tea Man]

get the gas. i welded without it for about 6 months after i bought my first welder. learned how to weld with the flux. i finally broke down and got the gas and i havent looked back since. you will thank yourself.

[LOWGREEN1]

the grant fillers are China made ones(like most everyone sells for $50), but grant reshapes them to a damn near perfect fit. If you're pretty good with metal work, your generic fillers will work fine. But if you want a filler ready to be welded on, the grant's are the ones you want. Just depends on skill level I'm not for sure if I'm buying this.. Grant Kustoms fillers are 16g metal as the other ones are 18g.

[Sweet Tea Man]

i've always heard good things about grant and custom classic's fillers. i used sir mikes b/c its what i had already ordered:D

[Beyond Static©]

I'm not for sure if I'm buying this.. Grant Kustoms fillers are 16g metal as the other ones are 18g.

I'm telling exactly what Steve at Cando told me. Him and Grant are brother in laws.

[bignick31985]

Well I got hte Custom Classic ones. I'm sure they wont be too bad. Everything else from them fit great on my truck, lol.

I spent a tad more to order one filled online. I havent had time to get one locally (or money until now). And the gas is a 40cf bottle, my guess is it'll be enough to weld up the fillers. Shipped filled and ready for welding. I'm excited to have something to weld up again. Especially with the gas now.

So that will leave repaint to both bedsides, the hood, and drivers door. And I cant get to certain spots on the jambs (front by the hinges) unless the door comes off...so I'm living with it as well, lol.

[Sweet Tea Man]

take the fender off.

or tape the outside of the door and fender and plastic wrap the rest of the truck, open the door, and spray in the jam between the door and fender from the outside going in.

[Custom1]

Well I got hte Custom Classic ones. I'm sure they wont be too bad. Everything else from them fit great on my truck, lol.

I spent a tad more to order one filled online. I havent had time to get one locally (or money until now). And the gas is a 40cf bottle, my guess is it'll be enough to weld up the fillers. Shipped filled and ready for welding. I'm excited to have something to weld up again. Especially with the gas now.

So that will leave repaint to both bedsides, the hood, and drivers door. And I cant get to certain spots on the jambs (front by the hinges) unless the door comes off...so I'm living with it as well, lol.

I fixed your online price with the FSC discount and they went out today...should be there Friday or Saturday.....Steve is a wise man...but I am not saying anything on the record!
Our fillers fit pretty good....not perfect and they don't weld themselves on....but pretty good none the less!
Custom1

[bignick31985]

Sweet man! I can't wait to get'em. The gas is here, I'm ready to roll, lol. I'm gonna go sloooooowwwwww.