Make-A-Wish sled restoration project.

[snoluver1]

snoluver ,anything that needs paint work let me know i'll help you out.

Thanks for the offer phazerpilot! Do you work in the auto-body industry? I am trying to get the old paint stripped off and am not having much luck. I don't know what kind of paint they used back then but, "Aircraft" stripper won't touch it! I've never come across anything that stuff wouldn't eat through. I've tried scuffing it first and that doesn't seem to help much. Any advise?? I know I could sandblast it and will do that in the tough spots, but it makes a ridiculous mess, and blasting media for aluminum is quite expensive!

[Administrator]

Thanks for the offer phazerpilot! Do you work in the auto-body industry? I am trying to get the old paint stripped off and am not having much luck. I don't know what kind of paint they used back then but, "Aircraft" stripper won't touch it! I've never come across anything that stuff wouldn't eat through. I've tried scuffing it first and that doesn't seem to help much. Any advise?? I know I could sandblast it and will do that in the tough spots, but it makes a ridiculous mess, and blasting media for aluminum is quite expensive!

Could it be powdercoat and not paint?

-John

[mrsrunningbear]

Bear has been in the Auto body business all his life. From what you said he thinks they might have mixed the paint right in with the fiberglass, try to paint over it is his thought

[snoluver1]

I'm not sure John. I've noticed any where there is some corrosion that the paint bubbles up and peels right off with the stripper. Was powder coating even around in 1976? I'm thinking its some kind of baked on enamel but I don't know.

[snoluver1]

Bear has been in the Auto body business all his life. From what you said he thinks they might have mixed the paint right in with the fiberglass, try to paint over it is his thought

I haven't gotten to the fiberglass yet. Working on the Aluminum belly pan right now.

[Administrator]

I'm not sure John. I've noticed any where there is some corrosion that the paint bubbles up and peels right off with the stripper. Was powder coating even around in 1976? I'm thinking its some kind of baked on enamel but I don't know.

I don't know when powder coating came out. Maybe epoxy paint. I know they had that in the mid 70's. Used it on some marine applications then.

Hopefully someone will have a solution to removing it short of media blasting the whole thing.

-John

[snoluver1]

Well I've spent every free second I had this week stripping paint. What a chore! I knew it would consume some time, but honestly had no expectation it would be as difficult as it has been. I finally figured out I could get the stripper to work a bit better, by first applying just enough heat to the paint to get it to start to blister. Then I let it cool and applied the stripper. This made it a little better but it still took a LOT of elbow grease. I'm still not completely done but I've got it on the run now!

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[Administrator]

Looks great! Thanks for all of your hard work on this!

-John

[snoluver1]

Its my pleasure John! Its actually working out quite well for me. I get to spend all my free time out in the garage playing with a snowmobile, and the wife doesn't give me any grief about it because she knows its for a fantastic cause!

[polarisrider1]

Its my pleasure John! Its actually working out quite well for me. I get to spend all my free time out in the garage playing with a snowmobile, and the wife doesn't give me any grief about it because she knows its for a fantastic cause!

Let me know when you come up with a part number for a windshield, belt, etc. So I can start digging thru 3 barns of vintage parts. Stock or after market numbers are needed to find anything in there.

[snoluver1]

My focus this week has been on getting the beat up belly pan straightened out. A big thanks goes out to Josh Pagles, of Harvard IL. Josh donated his time and welding supplies to get the tig welding done. We spent two long nights after work in his garage, forming and shaping the pieces, and getting it all welded back together. Then it was back to my garage for the "easy" part. Grinding, sanding and smoothing out the welds. Its not going to be perfect, but it looks a heck of a lot better than an old beer can riveted over the hole! I also got quite a few of the dents worked out. Still a ways to go before she's ready for paint, but I'm making progress anyway.

Here are some before and after shots:[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]MG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[snoluver1]

I'm looking into what type of filler I can use on the belly pan and came across this Alsiflex product. http://www.parasolinc.com/Products.a...uctID=ALSIFLEX
Anyone ever used this stuff?

[snoluver1]

Just wanted to give a quick reminder that the paypal link has been set up by John on the main page. http://www.johndee.com/snowfest/sledrebuild.htm
Any donation made would be greatly appreciated! Please remember to specify your donation is for the sled rebuild.

[rmkking]

Looks like fun. I can't donate any time so I donated a few bucks.

[phazerpilot]

snoluver ,sorry i have not been on this post for awhile. see that you have got i stripped ,looks like you are dealing with an old epoxy paint ,they get rock hard with age .i have been in the paint biz since 84 spent the last 11yrs as a tech rep for sherwin automotive. where are you in il. I p m'd you my # call me and we 'll work on getting it in color.

[polarisrider1]

Okay guys let's help Snoluver1 out. It is a great cause and he is working hard on this project. He could use some donations of time or money to get this sled ready for the JDee ride in and Make a wish fund raiser.

[snoluver1]

Thanks for the help guys!

Phazer, I just saw this at 10 pm. I'll give you a call tomorrow. Thanks!

The more help I can get with this, the quicker it can get done. I'm not looking for large donations. If just a small fraction of the almost 15K Johndee members could throw in a few bucks each, we would be in good shape.

I know this particular model snowmobile may not be in high demand from a collector point of view, but I think it will make a fun little toy for someone to take out on vintage rides and such. The fact that its not a museum piece means you actually get to ride it with out too many worries also. Thats my goal here. To make a nice "driver" that someone can have fun with.

[eagle1]

Okay guys let's help Snoluver1 out. It is a great cause and he is working hard on this project. He could use some donations of time or money to get this sled ready for the JDee ride in and Make a wish fund raiser.

Just sent $20.

No trip this weekend so might as well start spending it somewhere. Come on folks it's for a great cause.........CHALLENGE!!

[snoluver1]

Thanks to all who have donated so far! Phazerpilot has graciously offered to donate the paint supplies for the project, and also offered to do the job in his spray booth, which will be a huge convenience over me spraying it in my garage. Thanks Phazerpilot!!

Aside from the paint products, I have yet to have any luck soliciting parts for the sled. Its looking more and more like the only way this is going to get done is with cash. I have a trolling motor up for sale to help fund the project. Its probably not the best time to be selling a boat accessory but heck, with the way this winter is going so far you just might be able to use it!

Anyway you can view it here: http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/sho...to-Make-A-Wish!!

[eagle1]

Man and I thought I was a tight wad. Come on folks step up!!

[skiroule]

Man and I thought I was a tight wad. Come on folks step up!!

Eagle1, you probably are a tightwad but that's beside the point.

I know when I've taken a glove slap to the face so half a honey bee is on its way. Maybe more later if I can skip the feed trough once in a while. I want to see this thing done!

[chadlyt]

hopefully more funds will come in. of course, everyone love pics. the more pics, the more people get interested.

[skiroule]

hopefully more funds will come in. of course, everyone love pics. the more pics, the more people get interested.

Yeah, pics are good! They take a little time but they do get people fired up. I'm really impressed with all the work that has been done so far.

Maybe this could become an annual thing. Heck, maybe we could have a build-off!

[8rgade@att.net]

I found a 76 tunnel and belly pan in mint shape. Its in lower MI if you are interested let me know. Looks like a good gas tank too. I would bring it up for a chance to ride some back country with some of you guys.

[8rgade@att.net]

P1160037.jpg Hang in there you can make it look like this.