Id be real interested in some pics if you have a camera handy!

 

Kawi Ill put pics up, no problem as soon as i get started, just gotta get up enough courage to cut into my truck, Im really debating if i should to the restoration work and then take it somewhere to have it painted, I do have a nice HVLP gun and I could do it myself, however i want it to look nice. I might try to do paint the rockers myself and then if i dont like it- take it to a professional. I have sprayed lots of things with my HVLP gun, just not a automotive paint. What do you guys think about trying to spray them yourselves?

 

Id do it yourself. I have a HVLP gun, compressor and dessicant air drier and the setup works ok. Im still trying to figure out which tips and solvents to use when.
If you have a 2-tone truck and have to do the cab corner, you can wrap the clearcoat around the side of the cab and hide the line with the color seam. I usually re-tape and back off like 1/16" to cover the edge of the color with clear.
Im interested in seeing pics of the part before its put in.. so I can get an idea if this is something I can manage myself or not. My rockers are repaired all piecemeal, would be nice to tack on new ones and get it over with.

 

Yeah, I need to get my truck "color matched" or whatever they do, it isnt a stock paint job anymore and I have no idea what color it is. Im just going to have to break down, buy the paint, and start cutting, welding and grinding and git it done and over with. Since there is interest in the subject, ill take pictures and document "my" process, since im not an expert i can only take what I have researched apply it, hopefully it all works out good! Im sure it will though. Kawi do you know if its possible to eliminate a clear coat line through polishing/buffing compound? How difficult is it to get a good color match with white?

 

You cant really eliminate the edge of a clearcoat or feather it in.. it will always show unless you coat the whole part or sneak the edge under something. I use the plastic trim on the sides for hiding the edge. Also can use the first decorative channel looking up from the rockers. That hides an edge well. The seam for two tone paint jobs goes there.
If youre painting over existing clear, youll need to scuff with 1000 and prime, color, clear. On anything thats in the sun Id go down to bare metal. If its only the rocker panel thats easy, just mask it off and paint as new.
White isnt bad to match.. you might be able to get away with a cheap urethane off ebay. I bought a gallon of clear off some guy there for like 90$.
Off the shelf paints like duplicolor are acrylic enamels I think and youll want to use urethanes and I dont know if you can mix the two.. I wouldnt.
oh yeah, try to coat the whole part in a zinc etch primer before the primer/sealer to keep the rust down.
If youre strapped for cash and want some cheap paint I have a single stage enamel kit in arctic white from these guys. Never used it and sold my old chevy: http://www.paintforcars.com/kits_arcticwhite.html

 

I just want it to be done right and want it to last a long time, so if it cost a little extra, thats fine with me. Ill try to get going on this relatively quickly.

 

Dave....I have cut out and migged in the new rockers.I will post some pics.This will give you a idea on what spot welds you need to grind off and steps I took in replacing the rockers.....Its not bad...Just time consuming.