Bed Seam Clean-out

[MAK]

I remember this coming up in the past but searched and didn't turn up any of the old message threads I was looking for. I know there have been lots of questions and solutions to cleaning out the bed seam above the bump. I had asked once what process folks had used and someone had suggested part of an old hacksaw blade and I thought that sounded promising. It will depend on the condition of the originals caulk or sealer and the number of previous repaints... Mine was brittle and somewhat shrunken back or away from the pane in some spots. Even so, Just picking at it with a small screwdriver blade or dental style picks wasn't showing much success. It was still just too hard and stuck. I also tried hitting it with the sandblaster when I was working on other sections but that did no good.
I got to thinking a while back about the hacksaw blade idea and thought about my oscillating multi-tool. I got around to trying that this morning and 15 minutes later had one side done and nearly perfectly clean and stripped. Just used one of the old dull blades and a medium speed. Now I'm thinking a little self-adhesive abrasive paper attached to both sides of the blade should work just as well to clean up any remaining residue and surface rust.
Just thought I would throw this out there as a trick that might work as well for you as it did for me.

[jimmy828]

Glad you posted this subject. Can you post pic of your seam. I would like to know how wide that seam is. I just started on mine and used a angle grinder with a wire brush attached to it just to get something started. There was bondo all the down the seam. Don't know if it was put there from factory or some PO. Behind the bondo was the seam sealer. Just wondering when i go back to repair the sealer how tight should i make the seam. As of now the seam with nothing in it looks like it's about 1/4 in. wide. That's a good idea about the multi tool . I have one and will give it a try to get into the tighter spaces.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for posting that, MAK! I've got one of those tools too and the thought never crossed my mind.

[MAK]

Glad you posted this subject. Can you post pic of your seam. I would like to know how wide that seam is. I just started on mine and used a angle grinder with a wire brush attached to it just to get something started. There was bondo all the down the seam. Don't know if it was put there from factory or some PO. Behind the bondo was the seam sealer. Just wondering when i go back to repair the sealer how tight should i make the seam. As of now the seam with nothing in it looks like it's about 1/4 in. wide. That's a good idea about the multi tool . I have one and will give it a try to get into the tighter spaces.

It's the last thing I did today before coming home and I didn't get a pic. I'll take some shots next weekend when I get back to it.
Bondo would definitely be a huge PITA compared to the factory sealer. I would say there was probably about 1/6" or slightly more separation between the panels toward the outside.

[jimmy828]

Sorry but I don't mean to hijack your thread. Anyway, here is what i'm working with. The seam is like that all the way down the bed (drivers side). I did a test run about a 6in. on the passenger side and it is the same way. I'm beginning to think that it is from factory. Maybe some kind of screw up on their end. Sure going to be a pain to repair. Might just look for another bed

[MAK]

Hard to say just by looking at pics with no scale but appears similar to other bed seams I have seen. Except for Bondo that you mentioned. Do you have any pics of the seam before you cleaned it out?

[jimmy828]

Hard to say just by looking at pics with no scale but appears similar to other bed seams I have seen. Except for Bondo that you mentioned. Do you have any pics of the seam before you cleaned it out?

I'll post a pic tomorrow. I can take pic of other side.

[HIO Silver]

'Time for a spot blaster: http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/alc-han ... fgodC2UAgA

[jzjames]

Well, thanks
Mighta been me that suggested the hacksaw blade. Dont over-think it I always say.
The broken hacksaw blade has the offset teeth that can really "rip out" that loose rust and scale. Once you get out all the loose rust you can then scrub it well with one of those small wire brushes.
My eyes being not as good as they once were, I use some good magnifying glasses to see exactly what Ive got.

Once Ive gotten it as clean as I can, Ive had luck brushing in Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer into the seams (several thick coats- be patient and let it dry well,) and then final sanding and painting.

[MAK]

Jimmy, Here are a couple pics as promised. Not sure if it's what you were looking for or not but hope it helps.

[jimmy828]

Mak, you ask for a pic of other side. Sorry i'm late getting posted. The good seam is about 1/8 in. or less. I tested about a 6 in. with a drill/ brush on the good seam and also has bondo. Looks like i got my work cut out for me!!

[cmoore]

My seams on the '70 are bad too. I had taken a stainless wire wheel (3" dia.) in a drill and went to town. Removed the rust, then taped it off and sprayed Rustoleum over it for now.

[67nukeford]

I have the same rust issues on my box. So, I'm going to remove the lower bedsides all together, blast the entire box and bedside, and then weld them back on. I plan on welding the seam closed with some steel rod as filler, and then sealing the backside seam tight.

[Busboy]

I would think that a small sandblaster or soda blaster with fine grade media is the only way to get every speck of rust out.

[PetesPonies]

Once the seam is clean from scale and such, use a rough scotch pad and phosphoric acid.Keep the acid wet and dry it out with a paper towel ( no water ) when it is done. YOu can use it as long as you keep it wet.