The tailgate coffee table project

[TheTopher]

The idea is take a small block v8 crank, bolt a flywheel to it for a base, bolt on number 4 & 8 pistons for foot rests then bolt on a balancer and attach a plain round barstool seat to that. Thats how i see it anyway.

I think you just came up with your own little project, lol.


Be sure to post pics!

 

[CHKNFKR]

If only i had a couple small blocks laying around.....

 

[TheTopher]

Are these blocks small enough? I've got a million of 'em in the attic.

 

[gwaii]

Are these blocks small enough? I've got a million of 'em in the attic.

 

[CHKNFKR]

Believe me, i have enough of those to build a house. They just dont support weight too well.

 

[TheTopher]

So the guy I was supposed to get the tailgate from postponed 'til next week. So in the mean time, I'm gonna try and practice painting my filing cabinet tomorrow instead. Wish me luck, painting is something I've always been horrible at. Any tips?

 

[gwaii]

how you painting it?

 

[TheTopher]

I was planning on using a wire wheel on my grinder to strip the paint down, then give it a couple light coats of primer, and a couple light coats of flat black and if I can find it, a coat or two of flat clear coat.


I know those are very vague steps...about as vague as my knowledge of painting

 

[gwaii]

ya,what i meant was are you using automotive paint systems with a gun,spray bomb,roller and brush.....or just splashing it out of the can.

 

[TheTopher]

I'm planning on just using spray paint for now. Probably rustoleum from the hardware store. I don't think the paint really makes that big of a difference at this stage, the imperfections from my technique and prep work are gonna hide any imperfections in my poor paint choice anyway.

 

[gwaii]

I'm planning on just using spray paint for now. Probably rustoleum from the hardware store. I don't think the paint really makes that big of a difference at this stage, the imperfections from my technique and prep work are gonna hide any imperfections in my poor paint choice anyway.

holy self esteem,man....you gotta have a bit more confidence!

you're right,prep is an extremely important part of a good paint job.

the reason i asked is that different types of paint have different fill and blend characteristics.spray bombs put the paint on thin,so are low hiding.this means the prep has to be that much better.

you'll need to look at the surface you want to paint and make a judgement on it's condition.if it's pretty much intact,rough it up a bit with a scotchbrite pad and prime/paint over that.

if it's chipped and ugly,strip all the old paint to bare metal.don't leave any.

now,if there's any small dents or pockmarks left by rust,fill and sand smooth.go over the whole thing with a scotchbrite,then prime/paint.

paint needs to be applied in THIN even coats-basically dust it on,never letting too much build up in any one place at a time.keep going until coverage looks good.this applies to both primer and paint,but after the primer dries completely(overnight)give it a light scuff with the scotchbrite before applying the paint.keeping in mind what i said above about light coats,apply ALL the paint you want on it in one application.i've found with many spray paints if you let the paint dry then try to put on another coat it will wrinkle up then you have to go back to step one.that sucks.

 

[TheTopher]

Thanks for the tips, mate. We'll see how I do tomorrow.

As far as the low self esteem, I've discovered being pessimistic makes me right more often.

 

[gwaii]

As far as the low self esteem, I've discovered being pessimistic makes me right more often.

dude.......that's what they call a 'self fulfilling prophecy'.


you need to go into every project knowing that you'll do the best job ever.

let THAT prophecy fulfill it's self

 

[TheTopher]

Kinda sounds like I'd just be going into the project as a cocky asshole.

Either way, that's why I'm shooting the filing cabinet first. So I can hopefully pay close attention to what does and doesn't work, and then do my best job on the tailgate


Now that I'm looking at it, the cabinet does have a few dents in it that I hadn't noticed before. They're all pretty small, for those I should basically grind the paint off, fill with bondo and sand them flush with the metal right?

 

[gwaii]

Kinda sounds like I'd just be going into the project as a cocky asshole.

hey-you got a problem with cocky assholes?

Either way, that's why I'm shooting the filing cabinet first. So I can hopefully pay close attention to what does and doesn't work, and then do my best job on the tailgate

good plan.....practice makes perfect