What would you do? (Poll)

"Ram_Riot_6" (tony-ram-riot)
05/08/2015 at 18:38 • Filed to: D150

So I have this problem that really isn’t so much a problem as me just not being able to make decisions. So help me make one!

I cannot decide whether or not to repaint my truck, leave it be, or preserve its current state. If I am going to preserve it, the sooner would be the better. If I repaint it, then I would probably have that done next summer or fall. If I leave it I would at least have to address the bed and roof which have minor surface rust to prevent anymore holes forming. I have been debating on what to do for the past two years and just can’t come to a clean cut decision. I keep going back and forth. If both side matched then I would either leave it or preserve it. Unfortunately they do not, which is why I cannot decide what to do. I adore the patina, but I also love symmetry.

Here is what the driver’s side currently looks like.

Here is the passenger side that I am completely smitten by.

I feel like how I have let it sit, it gets regularly driven and washed, for two years with little done one way or another is letting it rot away. So here I am asking you all what you would do?

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DISCUSSION (23)

ly2v8-Brian > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:41

It has character

crowmolly > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:42

Who would be doing the painting? Any body damage?

Nibbles > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:46

It’s not an old Dodge without flaking clearcoat. Leave it be :)

Birddog > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:48

Leave it. I’ll trade you even up for my rusty F150 4X4.

Kidding..

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:48

Make the other side match.

It's an old pickup, it should look that way. Your driver's side is too clean

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:49

just fix the rust.

Ram_Riot_6 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/08/2015 at 18:57

If only I could make the other side match easily. It was parked the same way with sun only hitting the passenger side for 20 years.

Blake Noble > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 18:59

I don’t have much to say, other than I love those old Cornflake Box Dodge trucks. Especially in Power Ram trim.

Erhm, I guess repaint it back to factory and earn the patina back.

Ram_Riot_6 > crowmolly
05/08/2015 at 19:02

Mininimal body damage in the driver’s side and non on the passenger. I have not looked into any paint shops which would be an even more difficult decsion to make. Finding somone to trust and drop the truck and a couple grand off does not sound like an enjoyable process.

Ram_Riot_6 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
05/08/2015 at 19:07

That is already in the process. I should have all the rust removed in a few weeks.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 20:05

Some sandpaper and acid aren't expensive.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 20:21

I voted other, what you should do is weather the drivers side so it looks similar to the right. Not identical how ever, weathering isn’t always even, and then hit the whole thing with a Satin clear coat to preserve it.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 20:30

Have you ever heard of the $50 paint job?

Ram_Riot_6 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/08/2015 at 20:49

Would it look close to the natural patina though? I haven’t seen faux patina that looked like the real deal.

Ram_Riot_6 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
05/08/2015 at 20:52

Yes. The bed will be painted with rattle cans in a few weeks as its the bed of a truck, so who cares if its pretty in there.

Ram_Riot_6 > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
05/08/2015 at 20:55

I’ve been hoping that since its not been covered for the last two years that would happen. It has started to fade some, but not nearly as fast as I want it to.

Justin > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 21:00

New truck.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 21:07

park it at a solar power plant to speed it up?

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 21:20

Park it facing west so the driver’s side gets the blast from the sun. That’s what I’d do. I don’t know if the sun in your area hits at enough of an angle to make it work... you look pretty far south.

Ram_Riot_6 > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
05/08/2015 at 21:31

I am about as far south as you can get in the states. It is currently parked with that side facing west, but it is parked in between two other cars hindering the sun reaching the side.

Ram_Riot_6 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/08/2015 at 21:32

That is just crazy enough it might just work. Maybe I can just put mirrors focusing on it for an obtainable but equivalent effect.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Ram_Riot_6
05/08/2015 at 21:35

A sander and some vinegar will do the trick.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Ram_Riot_6
05/09/2015 at 09:49

Faux patina the one side and matte clear coat the sumbitch! problem solved.