HJ sandman ute restoration

[HJsandman75]

I thought I would put some photos up of my ute and the progress made so far. under all the coats of paint, bog and dirt, the body proved to be remarkably rust free.
The body has been panel beated and sanded back to bare metal. It was then chemically treated with rust inhibiter followed by a coat of etch priming. This highlighted a couple of more dents in the tray which will be dent knocked out.
Will update when the mandarin red paint goes on!
Not sure whether to paint tray red or correct vynacoat grey? Head says grey as this is original however I think it looks so much better all painted as per exterior body. Not sure which way to go yet?

[Valencia]

Paint the tray red it will looks heaps better

[playwme]

Yep, do it red. Not a big deal to put it to grey at a later date if there's a need.

[Beachy]

Where hj Gray hx on where the exterior colour

[Alien DNA]

What Valencia said

Nice progress too

[Big Rob]

Red is the correct colour for the tray area, Vynacoat was for panel vans.

I'm doing my ute with the old favourite colour-fleck because I intend to use it and it's going to get scratched a lot, but with a full perfect respray like yours then body colour is the only choice.

[Taily]

Red is the correct colour for the tray area, Vynacoat was for panel vans.

Not in all cases. From what I've been able to gather the HJ ute interior of the tray was a plant specific finish. My Melbourne ute is/was originally vynacote, much as I don't like it I've kept it the way it was.

But hey, it's a personal thing. You do the back of your ute whatever way you want it! Most people aren't all that rapt in vynacote in utes but it is a much more durable finish.

[Vombil]

Not in all cases. From what I've been able to gather the HJ ute interior of the tray was a plant specific finish. My Melbourne ute is/was originally vynacote, much as I don't like it I've kept it the way it was.

But hey, it's a personal thing. You do the back of your ute whatever way you want it! Most people aren't all that rapt in vynacote in utes but it is a much more durable finish.

agreed, i can't see myself getting as angry scratching dull boring vynacote as I would scratching glossy 2k

[Big Rob]

agreed, i can't see myself getting as angry scratching dull boring vynacote as I would scratching glossy 2k

Which is why I'm doing mine in colour flek (you have trouble finding scratches in it!)

It's funny, but now that you mention it I think my Dads HQ tray was a grey colour. I put it down to bad memory because the ute was white and I assumed the tray was just stained and dirty from use, but the more I think about it I recall a distinct line where the colour changed. Wish I had some good pics of it.

[seavan]

Mine has got the chook sh!t sprayed in the back and dont even want to have a crack at getting it off. Tonneu cover on at all times for my ute!