The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

Really bummed to see you have to do this. We all certainly know it's hard when you put all that work and money into this hobby only to have to give it up. Hope something turns up for you out there.

Do you have enough/any contacts to get your own thing going?

Not really. I only know a couple of people here. I relocated hundreds of miles away, not knowing anyone. Really believed it was for the better.

I have taken another job doing the same line of work. Problem with that is it is a long term payout. It takes time to get enough clients built up to start the money flowing in. So im forced to sell belongings to survive until that starts back up. I have put up my old trade tools for sale as well. Wish you were closer cause I am selling a nice spraytech 2510 rig for less than 1/4 of what it's worth.

 

[gmanpaint]

Got the rig ready in case someone wants to kick the tires and have a look. Decided to leave all the stereo/amps/speakers & subwoofer intact. Man I'm gonna miss that system, but if it helps sell, I'm down.

Link to the sale thread, share this with anybody you know that might be looking for a nice trail rig. It's ready to ROCK & ROLL! (literally)

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399682

 

[gmanpaint]

Just read this entire thread again. Wow, what a journey this rig has taken me through. I have some of the best memories forever etched in my brain thanks to this rig & forum. It has allowed me to make some great new friends, and let me see places I never would have without. Truly been a blessing, I'm going to be deeply saddened when it's gone.

Thanks Black Hole!!

 

[Naasau]

Amen. I wish I had the coin gman, I would buy the black hole and just hold her for ya to buy back one day. :-(

 

[Xeek]

I can buy it for whenever you want to buy it back. You're just a little to far...

 

[gmanpaint]

Amen. I wish I had the coin gman, I would buy the black hole and just hold her for ya to buy back one day. :-(

I can buy it for whenever you want to buy it back. You're just a little to far...

Those are great gestures, thanks for the kindness guys.

 

[97xlt4.0]

Ill third what they said! The Hole needs to stay close so you can buy it back!

 

[gmanpaint]

So I was doing the weekly running the engine, and charging the battery and it occurred to me that this rig hasn't seen any off road action in almost a year.

So as I was checking the tire pressure, I noticed a clump of rock/mud mix clinging under the wheel well. Well, I always parked it over a lawn sprinkler for a bit to rinse off the undercarriage after a trip out. SNAP! I didn't do that, the last time out.

So..... I crawled under, and some time later with a face full of dirt, I think I got all of it off. Too cold for a sprinkler, so just old fashioned elbow grease, hand scraper action, and the air hose.

Nobody can tell the difference, but I know it is cleaner now, and that's all that matters. :smokinfro

 

[gmanpaint]

The BH is still here. I don't think it's going anywhere soon. I'm going to keep it up for sale, but going to go ahead and use it like it's not. No more mods to it, just use it. If it sells, it sells.

Just realized because of moving, work, lack of work, no spare funds, this rig has only had 150 miles put on it since the May Smorr meet of 2012.

 

[gmanpaint]

First nice day of the year, so after some yard work, I was still wanting something to do outside, so......

Decided to freshen up the front end on the rig. Removed the bumper, grill, and insert.

You can see the old paint job on the grill was needing some help.

I sanded them down with some sanding sponges, and gave them a cleaning with Lacquer thinner, then hung them up from the rafters for spray.

The temps will be nicer tomorrow afternoon and I will spray a couple coats of black on them all. Install will be the following day after they have a chance to cure out a bit. I will also give some love to the front end of the rig with all the parts off.

BBQ was also used for the first time this year, and I had a great day with the warmer temps. Man I was going absolutely crazy being cooped up all winter, and this day is just what I needed.

 

[Turdle]

I see you even had a chair to sit and watch the paint dry.
This was a needed break today for sure. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, it's supposed to be even warmer.

 

[gmanpaint]

Much warmer for the next couple of days Jon, enjoy it while you can.

It is March tho, and by mid week we will have snow again, so I am glad I took advantage of this spring teaser.

 

[gmanpaint]

Since the grill insert is out, and prepped for paint, I have the opportunity to either choose a color or just go back to chrome. Only color I can think of is red tho.

Any thoughts on a color?

 

[Turdle]

Just leave it chrome and I will shoot it next time you come over.

I always kinda thought I should have put another coat on there anyway-

 

[gmanpaint]

Just leave it chrome and I will shoot it next time you come over.

I always kinda thought I should have put another coat on there anyway-

It's too far gone for that.

 

[Turdle]

ok, Scuff and wrinkle black

 

[gmanpaint]

I have to get it back together in the next couple of days. Thanks for the offer Jon, I do appreciate it.

But.... I think I will just spray some adhesion promoter on it, and paint it. Not a big deal.

 

[crazyflights]

sas it move forward when awesome

 

[gmanpaint]

sas it move forward when awesome

Too late. Sold all the SAS parts and the axle already. No more mods, just some upkeep/paint/cleaning, etc... to it from here on out, until it sell's.

I am wanting to figure something out for the hood. The clear coat has failed in the center as to be expected on these rigs. Trying to figure out the cheapest way to go about addressing this. I am a broke ass man these days, but if it helps it sell, I'm all for it.

1) Strip it and paint it myself. Figure about $150 in materials / sundries.
2) Take it to a auto paint shop and have them spray it. No idea how much until I call around.
3) Find a good used replacement hood at an auto salvage. Again, no idea how much until I call around.

Vinyl and scoops are just too hokey looking to me, and although they would be a cheaper fix, it will just be a band aid, and no promises it would cover all the clear coat fail.

 

[gmanpaint]

The last few days of warm weather was not wasted. I put about 20 hours into the rig cleaning, and painting parts. Was some much needed self therapy

I painted the front bumper, the grill, the grill insert, the frame horn bumper mounts, the tool tray, and the D-Rings. Cleaned the rust off the can lights with fine steel wool and Mothers chrome polish. Worked amazingly well, and easy as pie. I swapped out the mini 55 watt backup lights for another larger set I had laying around after discovering one was bad. I had a slow leak in a rear tire, that was driving me nuts filling up every 3-5 days. I took it into a tire shop, and had it repaired. Turns out a piece of tree root had wedged itself in the bead, from the last time out on the trails. We have some nasty weather coming tonight, so after it clears back up, I will get to washing & waxing this beast back into showroom shine.